Students hand out candy and sensory toys to over 175 attendees
The annual Residence Hall Association (RHA) Trunk-or-Treat drew over 175 attendees with 108 student participants and 42 decorated cars. RHA President Wilma Taveras and RHA Vice President Faith Guers reached out to many on-campus and community partners to spread the word, as well as encouraged their peers to sign up to decorate their cars under the leadership of Area Coordinator, Avery Bailey.
"Although RHA has existed on Alvernia's campus for years, Faith and Wilma have slowly become the face of the organization," said Bailey. "This year, they were determined to make their last Trunk-or-Treat the best one yet. Their goal was to make it a memorable experience not only for the students who participated but also for the community members and families. The turnout was great for both groups. There was a sense of community and love in the air at the event, all thanks to these two students."
From ordering candy to making crochet toys to working with community and campus partners, student-leadership and proactive planning made the event a success. Best costume and The event was so popular that the candy and toy supply ran out before it was over. Awards for best costume, voted on by President Glynis A. Fitzgerald, Ph.D., and best trunk, voted on by the community attendees, were also given out to student volunteers.
"This event ties into my role as an RA by fostering community, promoting engagement, and providing a safe, fun Halloween activity for the community of Reading and our residents," said RHA President Wilma Taveras. "We were able to provide residents with a means to connect, build relationships, and feel more involved. When planning this, we wanted to focus on strengthening a sense of belonging and inclusivity on our campus while promoting a welcoming environment."
The goal of RHA is to advocate for all the students living in university housing to have the best residential experience possible and to help build a stronger residential community on campus through programming. RHA gives students like Taveras and Guers to have additional leadership responsibilities on top of being resident assistants.
"Experiences like Trunk or Treat and being an RA greatly benefit my future," said Taveras. "They've helped me develop leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills. Leading events and working with diverse groups has also strengthened my ability to work in teams, resolve conflicts, and build community. Overall, these experiences have given me a strong foundation for personal and professional growth."
