Wake Forest School of Business Students Spread Cheer at Project Pumpkin

By Katie Dickens, Communications Intern

More than 1,000 Winston-Salem children rode in school buses to Wake’s campus, on Wednesday, Oct. 25, ready for an afternoon full of trick-or-treating and laughter at the University’s annual Project Pumpkin event.

The theme was “Superheroes vs. Villains,” and oldies tunes blared across the upper quad. The festive event was started by Wake Forest students in 1988 with the goal of bringing together the two communities of Wake Forest and the Winston-Salem area, and every year it brings smiles to countless faces, both young and old.

This year, children sprinted around the colorfully-decorated upper quad in every hero costume imaginable to play games and trick-or-treat at booths sponsored by on-campus organizations. Each organization brings a different game to their booth as well, ranging from cornhole to Twister. Students also have the opportunity to escort groups of children around campus and spend the afternoon with them, helping to ensure a safe and entertaining Halloween celebration.

Two organizations represented the Wake Forest School of Business at the event. Both Business Students of Color (BSOC)  and Masters of Science in Accounting (MSA) students participated in the trick-or-treating festivities and hosted tables and games.

The Wake Forest School of Business students spread cheer and continued to strengthen the ties between Winston-Salem and the Wake Forest community with a table set up next to Poteat hall, and student volunteers who gave out candy while they played games with local children and their families.

“I attended Wake as an undergrad, and I absolutely loved the tradition of Project Pumpkin,” said Jamila Terrell, a BSOC member, wearing her Incredibles costume. “We’ve had so many opportunities today to interact with the kids and show them the funny games we set up. We get to see if our game ideas actually work!”

“I love seeing the excitement of the kids,” said Alexandra Taylor, another BSOC member, who handed out an assortment of Tootsie Rolls, Milky Ways, and lollipops. “Their costumes have been so creative and festive.”

Across the quad, the MSA table was equally swamped with eager visitors. Lucas Prillaman, a third semester MSA student, said he was glad to participate in the event again.

“I volunteered last year, and thankfully the Student Engagement Council for the MSA program sets it up,” Prillaman said.  “We set up at around 3 pm, and the crowds of kids have been pouring in ever since. I couldn’t wait for this day this year.”