Somerset County VoTech Hosts 1st Zombie Run, Haunted Halls Fundraiser

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — Somerset County Vocational & Technical High School held its first Zombie Run and Haunted Halls the week before Halloween, turning its campus into a fundraiser for the SCVTHS Student Activity Fund.

Student and staff zombies chased guests on a course set up along the school's athletic fields.

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After the run, visitors entered school buildings, where students staffed classrooms converted into Haunted Halls and delivered scares.

The event was a schoolwide effort. More than 140 students and staff volunteered to act as zombies and ghouls, while other volunteers decorated the course and created obstacles for both the Zombie Run and Haunted Halls.

In the hours before the event, students in the SCVTHS Cosmetology program prepared many of the participants with makeup effects.

The school said students created ghostly faces, wounds, fake blood effects and teased hair to transform classmates and teachers into ghouls.

Guests also received drawstring bags featuring artwork created by upperclassmen in the Graphic Communications program.

Students started with rough sketches, took part in class critiques and revised their work based on feedback from classmates and instructors.

"This was a very fun project for this time of year. My students enjoyed problem-solving and exploring creative ways to incorporate zombie effects into their designs," said Lori Demsey, Graphic Communications instructor. "I am very happy that we got to share the amazing, professional work these students are creating in our state-of-the-art computer lab."

The Zombie Run planning committee selected three designs by seniors Nehal Kottapalli, Jayden Cortez-Nieto and Alexia Zuleta-Arriolia as favorites.

According to the school, the committee had difficulty choosing only one graphic and decided to print two different designs.

The bags were produced in the SCVTHS PawPrints Print Shop under the guidance of instructor Joe Alfieri.

"Preparing the vinyl designs and heat pressing them onto the drawstring bags required careful attention to detail, placement, and consistency. This project highlights the teamwork that goes into turning a creative idea into a finished product that students can proudly share with their school and community," said Alfieri.

Students in the Mechanical Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing program also made giveaways for visitors, using 3D printing to create fidget spinners that were handed out at the event.

SCVTHS Principal Michael Meyer said he was pleased with the fundraiser.

"I'm incredibly proud of the creativity, talent, and school spirit our students brought to the Zombie Run and Haunted Halls," said Meyer. "Their contributions made this event a success and showcased what our students can accomplish when they work together."

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