Drama students to trick or treat for SERVE

Usually when Dracula, Slimer, Al Capone or Harry Potter rings the bell on Oct. 31, homeowners reach for the bowl of candy by the door.

photo

Dan Limke

Bruce Martin (left) poses with Miss Arkansas Amber Bennett and Penne Reeder (right), who was hostess of the event.

As they travel from door to door Sunday, students in Fulton High School's drama department instead will be asking for donations of canned and dry food for their fourth annual Trick or Treat so Kids Can Eat food drive for SERVE, Inc.

From 5-9 p.m. on Halloween, FHS theater students dressed in costume will be going door-to-door in hopes of matching the 3,700 pounds of food collected last year.

"We just want to match our goal from last year," said fine arts teacher Mikelle Cortez, noting FHS dramatists have collected roughly 7,000 pounds of food over the past three years for the International Thespian Society's community service project. "Times are tough for everybody, but if you have food in your pantry, you're pretty lucky because not everybody does."

She said the project is something her students enjoy doing every year.

"It's fun and it's serving," Cortez said. "Most of the kids will tell you it's one of their favorite things we do."

In addition to collecting donations for SERVE, the event also will feature a costume contest. The students will go out in groups of eight, each group with a different theme, and then vote on the best creations.

Junior Ryne Fletcher, whose team has chosen Harry Potter versus Twilight as its theme, said his favorite part of Trick or Treat so Kids Can Eat is collecting the food.

"I like going around and getting to see all the people and how much they donate and how much they care," said Fletcher, who also is the drama club's treasurer. "There are many families in our immediate region that need help, and we can provide that help."

Junior Jordan Collins - the club's production officer - said she also is looking forward to "getting to see how much food we get," although she added she is looking forward to seeing the more creative side of the event as well.

"It's fun to get together with friends and help a whole bunch of people at the same time," said Collins, whose group is doing Ghost Busters. "I'm excited about seeing the costume ideas."

As Cortez predicted, junior and vice president Isabella Long said Trick or Treat So Kids Can Eat is her favorite drama club project.

"I really like it. It's our biggest service project and I like that it has the biggest impact," said Long, whose group is doing a Dead Bad Guys theme. "It's really easy to donate - we come to you.

"People buy stuff all the time they don't really want. You can spread your food around and not waste. It's very helpful."

The drama club has been conducting a food drive during study hall this week to supplement Sunday's collection. If Fulton's young thespians do not make it to your house on Sunday, Fletcher said donations also can be taken to the high school, or to any drama club member.