By Jessika Perez
All treats and no tricks were offered to Grand Rapids Community College students and anyone who stopped by room 121 at the Holland Lakeshore Campus for the Halloween Spooktacular festivities hosted by GRCC’s College Success Center on Thursday, Oct. 28.
Admissions and Enrollment Coordinator Azusena Nevares, Futures for Frontliners and Michigan Reconnect Recruiter Rose Muller-Trinh, Associate Director of the College Success Center Marisol Blanco and Lakeshore Student Success Coach Arianna Fikse helped plan the event, and checked students in for COVID-19 contact tracing as they arrived.
Activities included acrylic painting of mini canvases, Halloween-themed coloring pages and word searches, and a guess-the-weight game for a pumpkin.
Sarah Lindell, 18, of Zeeland is a hybrid student with classes online and in-person at the Lakeshore Campus.
“It’s nice that it’s closer to my house so I don’t have to go to Grand Rapids all the time,” Lindell said.
“I got lost on the way over here; Suzy (Nevares) came and checked up on me,” said Angel Solis, 30, of South Haven. Solis was registering for classes when he decided to drop by.
“She invited me over here so I thought I’d take a chance and come over, see who’s here (and) meet new people – branch out a little bit,” Solis said.
Solis’ job offered him an apprenticeship through GRCC. “I got on board with it and right now they’re kinda just working out the kinks.” Solis was one of 20-plus students and guests who showed up.
Student Hoang Nguyen, 24, originally from Vietnam now living in Holland, is in her second year at GRCC studying computer science.
“They sent it (a Spooktacular invite) to me through the email and my sister asked me to come here and tell her what happened,” Nguyen said.
Other students were also drawn in by the email such as Emily Holmberg.
Holmberg, 19, of Grand Haven is studying theater. Holmberg participated in the canvas painting activity. She said her painting was inspired by Audrey II: the man-eating plant from the musical “Little Shop of Horrors.” Holmberg’s graphic tee depicted the same creature.
“I think it went really well,” Nevares said. “Students enjoyed the activities and had fun guessing the weight of the pumpkin. Towards the end, a few students gave in and painted a canvas. I think Ari (Fikse) did a great job putting everything together. Students are lucky to have such an amazing coach.”
Fikse, the primary event planner, was not available for comment.
A Halloween Spooktacular event was also held at the Grand Rapids main campus by the Student Success Center coaches in Grand Rapids.
For more information on upcoming Lakeshore events, visit the GRCC Lakeshore Campus Facebook page.
