Halloween is considered the fright of the year, with people decorating their houses with scary decorations and kids walking the streets in costumes. Halloween is surrounded by the famous phrase “Trick or Treat.” In a play on words, Lowell Senior High School hosted a “Track or Treat” in the field house, with multiple sports teams and clubs giving out candy. Each team or club had its own table with bowls of candy, and the members handed out treats to all the kids who attended. Most of the sports teams and clubs also had a theme they dressed up for.
Track or Treat is a yearly tradition at Lowell Senior High School, planned and ran by the Lowell High School Leadership Club, otherwise known as L-Club. The event began when Athletic Director Patti McCormack got the idea after driving past a Trunk or Treat that a church in Hobart was putting on. The school originally considered hosting the event outside but had to consider factors like rain, snow, and extreme cold. They also had to account for the possibility that the football team might still be playing, which could be dangerous for players on both teams.
The school then decided to keep the event inside because it is better and safer for the kids. It was estimated that over 1,000 kids came through the school, and some say even more than that.
The school had a major goal for this year’s event: to raise enough money to pass the $50,000 mark, meaning they wanted to say they had raised over $50,000 in all the combined years they have put on the event. We are happy to share that we surpassed that goal. Over the last 15 years, all of the money has been donated to community service projects. These include the Special Olympics, the Leadership Club’s trip to nationals in Terre Haute, uniforms, support for families in need (such as those who have lost their homes), clothing, food, books, and more. This event is a wonderful way to give back to our community; especially to those who need it the most.
Each year, Track or Treat continues to grow. There have been times when kids had to walk around the upper level of the gym before entering the field house. Our event has even inspired other schools across the country to host similar events.
Our community loves this event so much that adults will drop off bags of candy just to support it. When the event first began, it was much smaller, with only 22 sports teams and maybe someone from the fire department participating. Now, it has grown into something so much bigger, and it is with no doubt that it has become regarded as a tradition in the Tri-Creek community.
