10/03/2026
Advisor here. TLDR: heartbreaking decision, students absolutely crushed it and rose to the occasion standing on the shoulders of those students who came before them, and I'M SO PROUD OF THEM.
Not the usual after-Knights of Terror message I share, but still important. Tonight's cancellation was less about rain to come and more about what the afternoon rain did to our stations. Cardboard ruined, tarps sagging, tents broken, surfaces slippery, fog machines and lights swamped. We thought long and hard about pushing ahead, because these almost 90 students have worked SO HARD on this event that it just seems unfair for them to not get the chance to complete it.
But. They've also worked SO HARD on this event, it also seemed unfair to ask them to piece their stations back together again within such a short time frame.
The queue line grass was soaked. The trail was muddy. Many effects the haunters had paid meticulous detail to were ruined. And when the rain finally lightened up, we only had 2 hours until call time for costume and makeup for our team briefing, PLUS have time to eat. The math wasn't mathing.
So instead I stood in the rain and recorded videos, lightly scolding and teaching the importance of "finishing the job" by taking care of our equipment and supplies, but largely letting them know how proud I am of them. And while I was doing that, messages came in and students showed up. Still working, still learning. And that's what I want to focus on. The ginormous teamwork of all the people who came together - DECA haunters, Art Club, Athletics, cross country, Beta, colleagues, administration, parents, alumni (SO MANY) & alumni parents - to make this a success. It's a lot. And they all made it possible (& probably people I'm forgetting).
Elementary students were saying, "Happy Haunted Trail Day!" Middle schoolers were coming up with new ideas for next year. The entire high school came together to make it possible for us to set up with minimal time. It was beautiful.
So yes, I'm sad they aren't out there showing what they've been doing since June (officers), August(students/members). But I'm so proud of them and those who got us here.
