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The Undercurrent is a biweekly news feature show written and produced by students from Michigan State University. Each episode explores multiple stories surrounding one central theme.
Hi, everyone, and welcome back to season sixteen, episode three of The Undercurrent. My name is Kennedy DeMars, and throughout this podcast, I share student stories to highlight special parts of our community here at MSU, as well as the surrounding areas. In order to celebrate Halloween, which just passed us, we're going be focusing on a community Halloween event that happened last week on MSU's campus. We're going to hear from organizers of the event, as well as volunteers, and we're going to learn all about what this event has done for the community. Hi, Jordan.
Kennedy DeMars:Thank you so much for joining us today. Can you just tell me a little bit about yourself before we start, like your major, your year you're in?
Jordan Woody:Yeah, sounds great. Thank you so much for having me. I am a senior and I major in human resources relations.
Kennedy DeMars:Cool. Thank you. So could you first just start by telling us what the safe Halloween event actually is?
Jordan Woody:Oh, yeah. Safe Halloween is a long standing tradition that provides local children and families with a safe and fun trick or treating experience.
Kennedy DeMars:Very cool. Thank you. So, and then can you tell me a little bit about your role in this event?
Jordan Woody:Yeah. I'm on the PR team and it is super exciting. We're doing a lot of outreach to different newscasts and just really trying to get the memo out there.
Kennedy DeMars:Oh, cool. Can you tell me a little bit more about like the newscasts you've been reaching out to? Feel like that's so cool. I didn't know like you guys were doing that at all.
Jordan Woody:Oh, yeah. It's really exciting. We're reaching out to all different kinds. We have reached out to many different schools as well in the city. Mhmm.
Jordan Woody:Just letting everybody know to let all the families know to come around and have some fun.
Kennedy DeMars:Yeah. Are you guys expecting like a really big turnout for this event?
Jordan Woody:Yes. We are. And I'm sure that there are gonna be so many more people joining us than we even expect.
Kennedy DeMars:Yeah. Do you have like an estimate of like how many people maybe including like volunteers it would take to like put on an event of this size on campus?
Jordan Woody:Oh, yeah. We definitely have a lot of volunteers. It is a team of about 13 of us working on it together. And then plus all the volunteers, maybe about, like, 20 plus people are all working on such an amazing event.
Kennedy DeMars:Wow. What kind of things are the volunteers gonna be doing on, like, the date of this event?
Jordan Woody:They're gonna be making sure that all the events work out. We have a photo booth coming. Lots of different small working parts that are really exciting. There's different booths and different tables that are being set up with different RSOs and organizations. So making sure it all runs smoothly.
Kennedy DeMars:Yeah. I feel like that's so great that there's, like, so many opportunities for volunteering as well because I feel like a lot of people on campus do wanna get involved in stuff like that but don't know where to start. But like, honestly, this seems like a really great event to kinda like get started with that, get some service in. Yeah.
Jordan Woody:Yeah. I completely agree. It is so much more than Greek life itself. It is the entire community coming together of even greater Lansing, which is so cool to me.
Kennedy DeMars:Yeah. That is super cool. Has there been like a favorite aspect of this event that you have, like a favorite part about helping this event?
Jordan Woody:Yes. I have been focusing on getting a lot of posts out with social media, things being posted on the Instagrams, and just getting the word out there. It's been really cool. I've been working with the creative and advertising team Mhmm. To make graphics and put it out there.
Jordan Woody:And it's really awesome to just be a part of that. Mhmm. I'm not much of a social media person myself, so it's really awesome to see how far social media can take it.
Kennedy DeMars:Yeah. I know you were talking about social media and how you're helping and stuff like that. Is that difficult to, like, balance while doing schoolwork and everything? Or is it is the fact that you're on a team, like, does that help that? Or is it just kind of a lot to balance?
Jordan Woody:Oh, yeah. Absolutely. Being on a team has been so helpful. All of the people that I'm working with are amazing. We have a group chat that we constantly text in.
Jordan Woody:It's if one of us is super busy, another person will take on that responsibility or that role. It's been super helpful. I've been really grateful. I've had a lot of schoolwork to do, but it helps when you have a team and it doesn't really feel like all that much.
Kennedy DeMars:Yeah. And then this event is happening today, the twenty ninth. Right? Yes. Yes.
Kennedy DeMars:Oh my gosh. That's so exciting. So how long have you guys been preparing for this event? Like weeks, months?
Jordan Woody:Oh, yeah. It's been, I believe, about two and a half months of preparation. Mhmm. It really is wild to me that it's today and that it's happening because it feels like we have prepared so much for it and that we've put in a lot of work. We've had a lot of weekly meetings, and now it's all coming to fruition.
Kennedy DeMars:Yeah. Definitely. I can't wait to see how it turns out. And then what are some major ways that you think this event, like, benefits the community in Greater Lansing?
Jordan Woody:It is so awesome because we're getting it out to so many different families, different schools, different people, and everybody's encouraged to come. I've encouraged everybody who has ears to come and just witness how exciting it's going to be. It's for a lot of different kids, for families who like to bring their children around like the kind of college campus area. And it's super awesome because it's a safe way to experience having a lot of fun. So I'm super excited for everyone who's coming and everyone who's volunteering.
Jordan Woody:It's a great leadership opportunity, and it's great way to have fun.
Kennedy DeMars:Yeah. Definitely. And then before we close out here, Jordan, do you have any final thoughts about this event or anything you're super excited for or anything that you like really wanted to say
Jordan Woody:and didn't get a chance to? Well, yeah, it's been a really great leadership opportunity. I am so thankful for all the ways that I've been able to grow. I am majoring in human resources. So PR is kind of a whole different step up for me.
Jordan Woody:So that's really exciting to put myself out into like a new category. And it's been really exciting to just deepen my knowledge about MSU traditions. And I'm really excited for everyone who's coming and I'm excited for the whole community to come together.
Kennedy DeMars:Yeah, definitely. Well, thank you so so much for joining us here today, Jordan. We loved hearing your perspective and I think the event is gonna be a huge hit.
Jordan Woody:Thank you so much.
Kennedy DeMars:Of course. Thank you. Next up on the podcast today, we're gonna hear from some volunteers at the event after they successfully helped put it on. Today, we're speaking with Ashiana Beatty and Alyssa Vetrano. Thank you guys so much for coming on today.
Ashiyana Bedi:Thanks so much
Kennedy DeMars:for having us. Yeah. We're so happy you guys are here. So can you guys first start by introducing yourselves and your role at Safe Halloween?
Ashiyana Bedi:I guess I'll go first. K. So I'm vice president of Panhell, which kinda does a lot of things with the other sororities and fraternities on campus. So I was asked to just host the table and volunteer for the whole event, and we ended up, like, painting the ring toss
Alyssa Vettraino:and just yeah. Yeah. Yeah. And then I'm just a general member, but, like, more so friends with Ashiana. So when she reached out that they needed volunteers, I was more than happy to help.
Alyssa Vettraino:So and it was kinda like a double edged sword because not only did I, like, get volunteer, but, like, luckily, it came with, like, some points for because we have, like, a point system. But yeah.
Kennedy DeMars:Yeah. That's amazing. I love how you guys, like, are able to get involved in, like, service opportunities here on campus because I feel like that's so important that, like, everyone does that, you know, as a member at Michigan State. Alright. So what made you guys specifically wanna volunteer at this event?
Alyssa Vettraino:So at first, it was more so, like, again, with the points. But, like, once I got there and, like, actually started volunteering, I was like, wait. This is actually kinda, like, fun. And, like, it was really cool too because we, like, collaborate collaborated with another sorority on campus. So that was really cool, like, meeting all those girls.
Alyssa Vettraino:And then, like, it was just cool seeing, like, all of, like, Michigan State, like, extracurriculars, like, all in one place, like, helping, like, put on this, like, event for all the, like, kids in their costumes
Kennedy DeMars:and stuff. Did you find that this, like, helped, like, bring more connections to people on campus, like, this event in specific?
Alyssa Vettraino:Yeah. I think so. I feel like it opened up, like like, all the families, like, were so happy that it was put on. And then, like, the families would, like, talk to us, and then we were able to, like, also talk to other, like, Greek life or, like, clubs. And it was just cool seeing everyone come together.
Kennedy DeMars:Yeah. What about you, Ashiana?
Ashiyana Bedi:For me, I just love, like, getting involved. Obviously, it's like a part of my position, but it also just comes with so much, like, rewarding behavior. And I love, like, being able to bond with other people. Obviously, like, love my sorority, but it's always so nice to, like, meet other peep like, meet other people in sororities and fraternities and other Greek life. Like, it was really cool.
Ashiyana Bedi:Like, NPHC was there and MGC was there. So it's just nice. It's like cross collaboration is really important. So I think that's super cool to
Alyssa Vettraino:see. Yeah.
Ashiyana Bedi:And then along with, like, obviously, these families, like, they can't go trick or treating in their neighborhoods just because it's not safe. So the fact that we're able to do this and pull off such a successful event is so cool and so rewarding.
Kennedy DeMars:Yeah. Could you explain, like, what NPHC and MGC is to people who, like, wouldn't know what those kind of things are?
Ashiyana Bedi:Yeah. Of course. So NPHC NPHC stands for the National Panhellenic Council, which are just historically African American fraternity and sororities. And then MGC is the Multicultural Greek council. So we've been doing a lot of work with them this semester and year, in our terms.
Ashiyana Bedi:It was a big goal for Panhall to, like, bridge the gap that we, like, previously had. So it's been really nice working with them. Obviously, they have different, like, values and stuff, but it's nice to see that we can all come together at the end of the day and help the community.
Kennedy DeMars:Yeah. I feel that's such a great event to, like, bring different councils together too just because it is on such, like, a big scale and it's something that, like, everyone can kinda work together to put on. So what were, like, the kids' reactions to the activities that you guys had? And, like, what kind of activities did you guys have at safe Halloween?
Ashiyana Bedi:You wanna go?
Alyssa Vettraino:Yeah. Our so we had ring toss. Ashiana and some of the other girls at our table in a different sorority made, like, painted the bottles, like, cute little Halloween and then got rings. And the kids loved the ring toss. I don't know, like, specifically if it was just our activity, but it seemed like all the kids just loved, like, being there and, like, yeah, they like the candy, but it was more so, like, they like doing the activities.
Alyssa Vettraino:They liked, like, interacting with us. Like, it wasn't just like, oh, like, I just want candy. Like, they'd be like, no. No. We wanna play the game.
Alyssa Vettraino:Like and it was just, like, cute seeing them because, like, when they couldn't, like, make the ring toss, they keep going and going. And I it'd be cute because then once they made it, everyone would, like, cheer. And they're like, oh my gosh. Yay. And then we would give them extra candy because
Kennedy DeMars:I love that. Yeah. So you guys have, like, activities and, like, you were handing out candy too?
Ashiyana Bedi:Yeah. So every table got like assigned kind of a activity. Ours was ring toss, but there was like bowling and there was like a witch race, I guess, and flag football and stuff. So it kinda just depended what you were like assigned. Like one table even just had, like, bubbles.
Ashiyana Bedi:Yeah. So I think that's why our table got so popular because it was like it wasn't an easy game. Like, literally me and Alyssa could not do it. No. Couldn't do I got
Alyssa Vettraino:it, like, maybe twice. Oh my god.
Ashiyana Bedi:So I guess, like, they thought it was fun because, you know, it wasn't easy and we weren't just gonna, like, whatever. Obviously, there were some people who just grabbed the candy and walked away, which is fine. Like, me.
Alyssa Vettraino:And there's always people like that.
Ashiyana Bedi:Yeah. But Yeah. It was so cute. Well, was
Kennedy DeMars:so cute.
Alyssa Vettraino:Like, I've kids would, like, leave our table and then they would like, you would recognize them because of their costume and they'd, like, come back and they're like and they would come back with, like, friends. And then I'm like, I love that. This is cute. Like, they actually, like, liked our table.
Kennedy DeMars:So Yeah.
Alyssa Vettraino:I don't know. It was just, like, really nice, like, seeing that.
Kennedy DeMars:Yeah. Did you guys have, like, a super big turnout for the event? Like, is it what you guys expected?
Alyssa Vettraino:Honestly, going into it, I didn't think it was gonna be as big as it was. Like, it blew my expectations out of, like, out of the water. Like, I was really, really happy with how it went because I wasn't expect like, they kept being like, you're gonna run out of candy, like, all that. And I was like, people did run out of candy. Like, I was not expecting that big of a turnout, but it went really well.
Ashiyana Bedi:So Yeah. I mean, I agree. Like, I had no idea how huge this event was. But usually, they hosted on Mac Avenue. And this year, they changed it to I'm Eastfield, which if you have seen, it's, like, huge.
Ashiyana Bedi:And it was filled with people. Was filled with sororities and fraternities, like, with their tables. So it was really cool. I mean, like, by the end of it, we had, like, no candy, which is crazy because we had piles. But it
Alyssa Vettraino:was it was really hard.
Ashiyana Bedi:It was a good turnout, and I'm really happy
Kennedy DeMars:with it. That's awesome. So was there a favorite costume that you guys saw at the event?
Ashiyana Bedi:My favorite costume was this little boy. He had a porcupine costume, but it was like a DIY. So, like, the back was all just like I don't know what they were, like, some sort of sticks that Mhmm. His family must have made. It was so cute.
Alyssa Vettraino:It was so cute too because it was, like, weighing, like, the pot like, what do you call them? The, like, prickers? Yeah. Whatever's on the back of a porcupine was, like, weighing down the, like, hood, and it was just so funny because he was so little and he was, like, wandering around and it was just so adorable. But honestly, feel like all the costumes were really cute.
Alyssa Vettraino:Like, there was a lot of superheroes, princesses, a lot of bluey esque families. Yeah. Oh, so cute. Oh, there was a really cute boy that was dressed as Mater from Cars. Really adorable.
Alyssa Vettraino:I don't know. I feel like when you put kids in costumes, like, they're just all adorable. Like, there's nothing you can really go wrong with.
Kennedy DeMars:Yeah. And it's always fun to see, like, the trends every year and see what everyone's doing. Because I remember when we were kids, there were, like, certain things that were really popular, but now it's, like, it's completely different. But it's
Alyssa Vettraino:still fun to see something classic. I feel like a lot of the girls were, like, the there's, like, there must be this one character with, like, long purple hair and a braid. Yeah. And all these girls were wearing the that specific purple long braid.
Ashiyana Bedi:Yeah. And I didn't know who it was.
Alyssa Vettraino:I didn't either. We're just getting old. Yeah.
Kennedy DeMars:Oh my gosh. That's funny. So how are, like, some specific ways that this event can make a difference for families in the Lansing area?
Ashiyana Bedi:Yeah. This event, it's it's like it's honestly heartwarming because obviously, like, East Lansing is such a college populated town, but there's also people that are homeless or, you know, just like any other city. So the city is not really, like, deemed safe for trick or treating just because of, you know, the college kids are out, people are drinking, and, you know, you don't wanna surround your kids with that. So I think being able to put this event on, like, knowing that they still get some sort of trick or treating experience and, like, they can interact with college kids, which when I was younger, I thought was so cool. So think it's nice that we're able to do that.
Ashiyana Bedi:But also this year, we did, like, a parent resource drive. So there was diapers and wipe donations, which was really cool too. We were able to help out, donating not only money, but also, like, resources to the families on campus and people who just can't afford it. So it's always, like, meaningful and people are always trying to give back. I think Panhawk's done such a great job with that.
Ashiyana Bedi:Yeah. And yeah.
Kennedy DeMars:Yeah. So you said there's a drive for, like, items going to, like, an organization here on campus?
Ashiyana Bedi:Yeah. It's like the parent and student resource Yeah. Center or something like that.
Kennedy DeMars:Yeah. I feel like that's amazing because I feel like that also just, like, gives people more opportunities to get involved. So even if they, like, can't come to the event them, themselves, they could, like, donate items or donate money to the cause and just get involved even, like, in a really small way. So I think that's really cool. Yeah.
Kennedy DeMars:Yeah. Are you guys looking to get involved in the event next year or, like, something similar?
Ashiyana Bedi:I mean, I definitely want to. I this is my first time going and I wish I had gone before. Mhmm. It was just it was fun. Like, it's four hours of your life three to four hours of your life.
Ashiyana Bedi:Like, and this is a memory that these kids are gonna have forever. So, like, being able to help out and obviously, like giving back is always just something that I love doing. So I definitely wanna do it next year if I can. And Yeah.
Alyssa Vettraino:Yeah. I'm definitely open to it. I thought because going into it, I was like really stressed. I was, like, I do not have the time to do this right now. Yeah.
Alyssa Vettraino:Especially with, like, all these, like, things coming up. But after I did it, I was really happy that I did it. It was a lot of fun. It was better than I thought. Like so yeah.
Alyssa Vettraino:Like, Ashiana said, like, I wish I would have done it, like, in my prior years, but I'm glad that I did it now and I I would definitely probably do it again because Yeah. I don't know. It was just cool seeing, like, everyone come together for like one like mutual cause.
Kennedy DeMars:Yeah. That's awesome. And I feel like it is just such a busy time in the semester too for a lot of students. Like, I feel like everyone has exams right now, like big projects. But like, even doing little stuff like this outside of classes, I feel like can help you really feel like you're making a difference.
Kennedy DeMars:Like, you guys did make a difference. Like, I feel like this event was like a super huge hit. Like, I saw a bunch of stuff about it from social media. I talked to like Jordan Woody who's been like running the social media and helping with all that. And it's like really cool to like see it all come together and see like all the teams kinda working to like put on an event of this size.
Kennedy DeMars:And I think that's really cool. Alright. So before we close out here, is there anything else that you wanted to add that we maybe didn't get to talk about today?
Ashiyana Bedi:Well, I think one thing that really, like, opened our eyes at least is that Safe Halloween is thrown by Panhell, but they also, like, have a leadership team. And I think having three people out of maybe the 10 on the leadership team was one really cool and nice to see that our sorority is getting involved. But also, think it opened our eyes as a sorority and to see, like, the event, like, how much work gets put into it and, like, being able to learn about it during chapter and and, like, the group chats and stuff. So I think that really helped our presence in the in the event. And, I mean, I'm hoping that it carries through the next years.
Alyssa Vettraino:Well, I also feel like it definitely helps. Like, I feel like sometimes these events can be a little bit intimidating because you're like Yeah. Am I gonna know anyone when I go there? So, like, seeing that familiar face there definitely, like, helps and encourages people, I feel like, to either attend a little bit or, like, at least get involved a little bit more. But I think yeah.
Alyssa Vettraino:It definitely opened a lot of more doors for us.
Kennedy DeMars:Yeah. That's awesome. Well, thank you guys so much for joining me today. It was so great talking to you guys.
Alyssa Vettraino:Thanks for
Kennedy DeMars:having me.