On Friday, Oct. 28, Southeast Missouri State University's International Student Association hosted its fifth annual Halloween Spooktacular. The party featured music from junior Yasodh Jayathilake and food provided by Chartwells. Attendees participated in a large-scale Micheal Jackson “Thriller” dance, and students Shoya Yamaguchi and Peyton Mogley were selected as male and female best-dressed at the event. Yamaguchi appeared as a gruesome zombie, and Mogley dressed as Pokémon’s Team Rocket member Jessie.

The party attracted almost 200 people, a smaller turnout from the 230 guests at last fall’s Spooktacular. According to ISA Secretary Ruchika Sharma, the ISA had remained hopeful of a larger-than-expected turnout.

“At this point the biggest challenge is to meet last year's expectations and to surpass that,” Sharma said.

While the Spooktacular brings enjoyment and holiday spirit to Southeast each fall, the ISA remains committed to its goal of internationalization to the campus through student initiative. By hosting events such as the Spooktacular and Prom Night, the ISA allows students to become aware of the many cultures in Southeast’s diverse campus. ISA’s new president, Harman Malhi, feels a responsibility in her new role to join students through activities like the Spooktacular.

“We still recognize that there is a gap between interaction of domestic and international students, and to cover that gap we host events such as Halloween so that we can find a common ground to share something fun,” Malhi said. “In addition, I want to reinforce that every Southeast student is part of International Students Association and all the activities we do are catered to the betterment of our students, campus and community.”

Several changes were made to the fall 2016 Halloween event, and the overall approach and outlook had been altered due to the ISA’s executive board being almost completely renewed. Out of the eight members on the new board, only two had been in the ISA previously before the board renewal, including Sharma.

With the exception of some slight last-minute worry, the party went smoothly with no obstacles or issues, much to the delight of the new executive board. Sharma contributed much of the event’s success to the ISA’s new president.

“All the members helped in the setup and the tear down and as the result was a very successful event,” Malhi said. “I had Ruchika Sharma, Sachin Aryal, Kanchan Tomar, Ingrid Haguihara, Destiny Reese, Alyona Ivchenko, helping me a week in advance to prepare for the event and Ruchika Sharma's articulation skills, critical thinking and support is truly commendable.”

At the end of the night, the guests had a favorable outlook on this fall’s Spooktacular and are looking forward to next year’s.

“It was nice, we had fun,” Naima Peuly, Bangladeshi student said. “It was better than the last one.”

The ISA has more events planned, with some new projects being discussed such as an international student orientation event, which will raise awareness of the process and problems international students face when transferring to study abroad and the culture shock that affects them upon arriving. Additionally the ISA-sponsored Prom Night will be occurring in spring of 2017.