Annual Boo Bash delights while restocking shelves for free store, backpack program
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Reed Marutiak had the weight of the world on his shoulders.
It’s a lot to carry for a Hartwood Elementary fourth grader in the Fox Chapel Area School District.
Fortunately, the youngster dressed as Atlas from Greek mythology was not alone.
He and his parents were among scores of pre-K to fourth grade families at the annual Boo Bash celebration Oct. 23 outside the high school.
“It brings people together and gets you to see other families you might not see,” said Reed’s father, Rob Marutiak. “My favorite part was the live band this year. I loved it. They didn’t have a band last year. The band put it over the top, I think.”
The band that performed was the Busking Club, a group of student musicians who play at various district events.
Organized by Fox Chapel Area High School National Honor Society students and their sponsor, gifted education coordinator Lisa Gibson, the bash featured various games and activities provided by high school clubs.
The Jewelry Club had a ring toss game, and the Global Outreach Club had candy corn bingo with Halloween-themed images instead of numbers on the cards. The Robotics Club had a bot that knocked things down.
Other activities included a photo booth, painted pumpkin judging and inflatable skee-ball.
“A lot of the activities tonight are themed after what club is sponsoring it,” Gibson said. “I think it’s a great opportunity for the older kids to feel young again. A lot of them still wish they could go trick-or-treating. It gives them an opportunity to dress up and have fun and be a kid — and give back.”
Junior Joseph Shin, president of the Unified Best Buddies Club, dressed as Tigger from A.A. Milne’s “Winnie the Pooh” books. He said it brought back fond trick-or-treat memories of his elementary days.
Best Buddies is a program that encourages special education students to mingle with other peers and form friendships.
Its members painted pumpkins and put them on display. Boo Bash attendees voted for which one they liked best. The winner would be declared the following day.
The club also had a guessing game in which people reached in a mystery box and had to determine the candy inside.
Shin said he was surprised with the bash’s turnout.
“It’s a little surprising because last year’s (bash was) inside,” he said. “It’s a lot different. Inside, you could funnel in more people. I kind of like the open vibe and see everyone at once instead of periodic times.
“I think it’s a great way to showcase what your club can do. We don’t really have that (large opportunity) often. … This is a good way to start getting your club out to young kids and even high schoolers.”
Several school board members and administrators also attended the bash.
“It helps us to bring us together, which is part of our mission as a school district,” Superintendent Mary Catherine Reljac said. “To celebrate our identity as a school community and also to make memorable experiences for children where they can interact, have fun together and hopefully build some relationships.
“I’m not surprised, but I’m always thrilled to see so many people come out. Certainly, the weather cooperated tonight to make it beautiful. It is an exciting experience, and it does bring us together as a school community.”
Myth busted
Reed’s Atlas costume selection was inspired by a truck seen while enroute to school one day.
“We were thinking about Halloween costumes, and we were thinking about statues. And one day after my mom dropped me off, there were these two trucks that said ‘Atlas,’ ” said Reed, a fan of mythology.
In Greek mythology, Atlas was a Titan who helped to lead an unsuccessful revolt against Zeus, the king of the gods.
Atlas was forced to hold the heavens aloft for eternity. He also was credited as the god who taught mankind astronomy.
Reed and his mother, Nicole Marutiak, designed the outfit which featured grey painted sandals, a grey sweatsuit with a toga on top and a large yoga ball painted to represent the heavens.
“It’s very comfortable,” Reed said.
Nicole Marutiak said the family loves to dress up.
“We make his costume together every year,” she said. “We always go over the top. We’ve been aliens in UFOs that lit up. … Halloween is my favorite time of year. I love seeing all the creativity in the kids. I love when they get to pick what they want to be.”
Other costumes included princesses, football players, animals, pinatas, superheros, construction workers and dinosaurs.
Party for a cause
The bash was not just a Halloween party and student club expo.
It served as a collection drive for the Foxes Burrow and Backpack for Hunger. People donated many nonperishable foods and other products.
Foxes Burrow is a student store where youths can shop for free personal hygiene products, school supplies, food and clothing.
Backpack for Hunger is a district program that ensures nourishment for children during weekends and school breaks. Food bags are distributed, often directly into the students’ backpacks in their lockers.
Gibson said she is very passionate about those causes.
“I have seen so many students access them, and it’s always so surprising to me just how many students in our district are in need,” she said. “They come to us and they don’t have food to get through the weekend, or they need a sweater now that it’s fall. … It’s really nice to be able to support kids that are right here in our school.”