FMU celebrates Halloween with music, candy, costumes
FMU students gathered in the University Center Commons (UC) for the annual Halloween event, Carnevil on Oct. 29.
The FMU Diplomats and University Programming Board (UPB) worked together to continue the tradition of holding Carnevil on the last Thursday of October.
The theme of the event this year was based on the Disney movie, “Halloweentown.” Members of both organizations collaborated to incorporate elements from the Disney movie, such as the giant pumpkin and the welcome gate to Halloweentown, into the decorations for this year’s event.
Approximately 525 students came out to Carnevil over the course of the night. However, the record for the amount of students to attend Carnevil stands at 800 students.
During the party, clubs and organizations performed dance numbers.
The Dimensions of Diversity dance team and the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity performed.
Students were able to win various awards for their costumes.
Freshmen Gabriel Hutson, Katey Roberson and Jennifer Price won the best couple costume for their “Grey’s Anatomy” costume. Other awards were scariest costume, won by sophomore Kennon Strowd, and Mr. Carnevil, won by Charles Jeffereys.
According to Shanae Giles, an FMU admissions counselor, Carnevil has been an ongoing tradition since she was in her undergraduate studies at FMU. The event has been taking place for the past five years, and it has become one of the biggest events of the fall semester.
“This event is such an important tradition because it never needs advertisement,” Giles said. “Students look forward to Carnevil every year.”
According to Dean Latasha Brand, the very first Carnival was held on Oct. 28, 2010. Carnival was a masquerade themed event.
Carnevil was sponsored by the FMU Diplomats and the Resident Student Association.
She said Carnevil is a way to allow students to meet people outside of their majors and academic settings and take a break from their studies.
“[Carnevil] gives students a chance to relieve some of their school stress and dance the night away in a safe environment with some of their fellow classmates,” Sha Gadsen, FMU Diplomat president, said. “Overall, it is a great way to build community.”
A committee of FMU Diplomats held meetings over the course of the month of October to choose the theme, decorations and other features of the event. Almost 50 hours of planning and preparation was spent in putting the event together.
Reba Gaskins, an FMU Diplomat, said one of the biggest setbacks in planning Carnevil was getting volunteers.
Roberson attended for the first time.
“It was awesome, and I cannot wait to go again next year,” Roberson said.
Rahkise Smalls, junior biology major, went to Carnevil for the third time this year.
“I feel like Carnevil does not need much improvement,” Smalls said. “This was the best one by far. I really enjoyed the music and the way the students interacted this year.”
