Henderson Gymnasium was transformed into a haunted house for Shippensburg University students Sunday night.

The dark corridors lead students through a zig-zagging path of fright and scuttling sounds. A creature on four legs, stomped toward students at the first turn. From a veiled corner, a man with clown makeup and a shrieking voice sent attendees deeper into the haunt to meet the next being. 

Design preparations started the previous day, around 3 p.m., according to Residence Director Carolin Rusell Dezala. Volunteers from the Activities Programming Board (APB) assisted in the construction of the haunted house.

Dezela said that putting the decorations together was smooth sailing. The trickiest part was the high-rise balloons that were installed in Henderson’s central room.  

The volunteers were able to bring their own costumes and accessories. Event coordinators also provided masks and make-up. The individuals dressing up and delivering the scares arrived early to apply their make-up, costumes and get ready. 

After checking in and signing a waiver through a QR code at the check-in desk, students stepped into line and meet the guide who would join them during the walk-through. 

From the beginning to the end, no space was wasted. At each turn, someone was waiting to hop out. The actors used a variety of voices to enhance the ambiance. 

As students neared the end, turning the corner displaying a dead-end sign, a tall figure wearing a demonic mask appears. With the exit door a few meters away, a last handful of monsters show up from the shadows to give a final jump scare before walking through the exit.

Gabby Hall said she was looking forward to seeing what the haunted house had in store. She found it to be entertaining with the good acting, yet she wished it were longer and provided more noticeable props, closer along the path.  

Upon leaving, students were given a choice of different bags of candy sorted into varieties based on their preferred type of candy.  

Share