Sigma Nu Provides Happy Halloween
Members of the Sigma Nu fraternity pitched in Tuesday to host the annual Halloween party for the Best Buddies program, which pairs volunteers and handicapped community members for monthly activities.
“Best Buddies doesn’t really have a place to host events, so we like to offer accommodations,” said Jason Ward, president and service chair of Sigma Nu. Ward said Sigma Nu has been involved with the Best Buddies program for several years and hosts various events throughout the year. Currently, Ward said, they are trying to plan a Christmas party for the buddies.
Ward said the fraternity is happy to provide “everything but the people” in order to host this event, and the payoff is in seeing how happy the party makes members of Best Buddies.
“They get really excited, and I like that,” Ward said.
Grant Barney, who is an alumnus of Sigma Nu, said he came by just to volunteer and help out with the party because he also enjoys the excitement that is shared by the buddies.
“It’s always a lot of fun,” Barney said, “and it’s just a way for them to get out of the house. Everyone looks forward to it every year.”
The party was hopping as buddies of all ages participated in a bean bag toss, pumpkin decorating and bobbing for doughnuts.
“Bobbing for doughnuts is one to watch,” Ward said.
This was the first year participating in the Best Buddies Halloween party for freshman Sigma Nu candidate Michael Karbakhsh, who said he liked it a lot because it’s good to help out with the community.
Crystal Degen, a junior majoring in public relations, attended the party with her best buddy, Amy Shupe, and said the community service aspect is what first attracted her to the Best Buddies program. Degen said she and her buddy hang out weekly and go to activities like the Halloween party one a month.
“I like playing games and the candy,” Shupe said of the party.
For many of the buddies, the Halloween party offered a chance to let loose and have fun.
“My favorite part is having fun and being a Hulk-a-maniac,” said best buddy Brandon Fredrickson, who was dressed as the Hulk and busted out in an impromptu dance to “Thriller,” much to the delight of the other buddies.
Fredrickson’s buddy, Brad Larkin, said it’s his first year participating in the Best Buddies program, but he has loved it so far.
“It’s fun hanging out with these guys, they’re all smiles,” said Larkin, a senior majoring in entrepreneurship.
By the time the crowd started to thin out, the musical chairs had turned into a dance floor and bobbing for doughnuts had turned into bobbing for ho-ho’s, but the buddies were not quite ready to say goodbye. Consoled by the promise of another party next year, giant cookies, cowboys and ghosts eventually trickled out the door smiling.
-amanda.m@aggiemail.usu.edu