Spiderman, Elvis and a knight joined about 240 students Oct. 23 all waiting for their number to come up.
The costumed Brookdalians joined many others, both dressed for the season and not, and gathered in the Navesink rooms of the SLC for free pizza, candy, soda and prizes as Student Life and Activities held a special Halloween Bingo.
The event, which began at 6:30 p.m., included a costume contest and a sometimes rowdy crowd, but seemed to go off without a hitch with many enjoying the festivities and the chance to celebrate spooky season.
Most tables were completely full as students showed off their costumes to friends and others while collectively consuming about 40 boxes of pizza. Three big screens displayed the bingo letters and numbers as students struggled to contain their enthusiasm long enough to hear the calls and mark their cards.
“It is one of our biggest events that we do every month, so this event in particular has been really successful. I just think this is one event that students get to do at nighttime, and come out to the college and really have fun and socialize with each other,” said Lauren Brutsman, the director of Student Life and Activities.
“It has its ups and downs with all the emotions of everybody just clashing together. It’s really fun, but sometimes it gets a little bit overwhelming. So, I just try to win for the glory of it, and I have a lot of fun with it,” said Luis Merino, a 22-year-old creative writing major from Asbury Park.
“And, you know, even though I kind of get a little overreactive sometimes, I try to be friendly. You know, I want to make the connection to people. I don’t socialize too much outside of Brookdale, but I try and do what I can over here,” Merino said.
The costume contest, which was held midway through the event, called for costumed revellers to line up and be judged by their peers. The audience voted by cheering for their favorite contestants. As the knight in shining armor promenaded with his sword along with clowns, a nurse, a race car driver, and others. Most students in costume were thrilled with showing off their costume, but only a few could win. However, it was understood among the crowd and staff that all students in the contest were winners just for dressing up.
Bingo prizes included bags, Applebees’ gift cards, cameras and more. Here, too, only a few earned the chance to yell, “Bingo!” However, many seemed to have a good time as evidenced by most staying late into the night, diligently filling out their bingo cards, hoping to win that elusive prize, and socializing with other students.
“I actually won my last time, but now I haven’t. But, you know, I still have a lot of fun. It’s free food at least. So, you can’t go wrong with that,” Merino said.
