Stewart Hall was enveloped in a warm, supportive environment on Thursday night during The Reflector’s Halloween Open Mic.
Jenny Russell, Editor-in-Chief of The Reflector, opened the event by reading a poem called “Our Halloween Party” that was published in the 1926 edition of The Reflector, when it was known as The Campus Reflector. The story described a Halloween open mic that took place in a similar setting almost 100 years ago.
Attendees then took turns reciting poems, original or retold, and singing songs. Each performance was met by enthusiastic applause, Kylie Saar, Associate Editor, read a Halloween poem that reminded her of the students that she teaches.
“This is definitely something I’ve wanted to try to come all my years [at SU] and I’m glad I finally could,” SU student Emma Fasnacht, one of the open mic’s attendees, said. “It was a nice escape. I was able to celebrate Halloween without going all out.”
Hailee Rauch, Head Prose Editor, was dressed in a Ghostface costume and read two horror themed poems, including a surprisingly touching one entitled “Self-Portrait of Jason Vorhees’ Machete.” Ethan McAllister, who opened his performance by self-proclaiming himself a “Swiftie,” sang and played on his acoustic guitar “Betty” by Taylor Swift and was met by warm applause and cheers.
“We’re very happy with the turnout… we had a lot of people who came and were so willing to share their voices,” Russell said. “It was a great night.”
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