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Seeking spooky stuff

FDSH students create haunted house to fill food pantry

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Fort Dodge Senior High students Colton Hendrix, 18, at left, Tysen Kershaw, 17, Rodney Tillawen, 17 and Emma White, 14, pose with some of the props that will be used in the upcoming Haunted High haunted house. The students are seeking a variety of objects to use in the haunted house, which collects food and other products for the school’s food pantry.

The list of materials still needed by the Fort Dodge Senior High students putting on the Haunted High haunted house on Wednesday is pretty scary on its own.

It includes: fake body parts, fettuccine to simulate intestines, fake blood, mannequin heads, hospital gowns, a meat grinder, surgery tools and of course, a cauldron.

Colton Hendrix, 18, a senior, brought along some of those things to help out.

“We’ll take anything.” he said. “I brought a bag of deer bones.”

He’s a member of Andi Adams’ Analyzing Leadership Styles class which is putting the haunted house together and he’s looking forward to the event.

“I want it to be so terrifying people run out of the building.” he said.

His role might just do that.

“They put me in the surgery room,” he said. “I’ll be the vampire doing the blood drive.”

The haunted house is being done for a serious reason and a serious need — to help stock the new food pantry at the school.

“It’s for the food pantry at the school.” he said.

Emma White, 14, is helping out with the haunted house, too.

She’s sad that a food pantry is needed in her school.

“I know things are difficult,” she said. “But not that difficult.”

Rodney Tillawen, 17 and Tysen Kershaw, 17, will both be leading lost souls to their doom.

“I’ll be a guide,” Tillawen said. “I lead people with a lantern.”

The students are planning on having fun, but they said they’re more happy to be helping out their fellow students who might be in need.

“If you help one family I consider it a success.” Tillawen said.

The students hope to collect non-perishable food, especially granola bars. cracker packets, deodorant, soap and feminine hygiene products.

A minimum of one item is required for admission.

“It’s at least one to get in,” White said. “But bring as much as you want.”

Adams has seen students in need many times during her time in the classroom and as a coach.

“I can tell they’re hungry.” she said. “The pantry is near and dear to my heart. A couple of times I’ve had to help students. We’re hoping to fill it up.”

While she’s happy to help the pantry, the haunted part of the haunted house might not be her favorite thing.

“I hate being scared,” she said. “They think it’s funny to scare Mrs. Adams.”

The Haunted High event is from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the Fort Dodge Senior High, 819 N. 25th St. Fifth grade and up are welcome.

Admission is one item, minimum, for the food pantry at the school.

Donations of spooky items can be brought to the school before Wednesday morning.

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