Published October 16, 2019
By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — It’s back.
Haunted High School will be making its triumphant return to Lynnfield High School after a seven-year absence on Saturday, Oct. 26, taking place from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Lynnfield Community Schools and the Lynnfield High Class of 2021 are sponsoring the event, which used to be one of the town’s most highly anticipated bi-annual traditions.
In an email sent to the Villager, high school English teacher Joey Puleo said the decision to bring back Haunted High School originated from a Community Schools Summer of Fun Activities camp he ran this past summer.
“During the summer, I ran a Haunted Happenings camp, where elementary and middle school students created a haunted house for family and friends to walk through, and many parents were reminiscing about Haunted High School,” said Puleo. “Community Schools Director Michaelann Herook said, ‘You know, we could bring it back.’ Since I’m one of the junior class advisors, Community Schools and our class council decided to team up.”
Herook noted Haunted High School was an incredibly popular tradition for a number of years.
“If you grew up here, you will remember being so excited to come through the happy and scary spaces that the high school students actually put together,” Herook wrote on the Community Schools Facebook page. “You may even remember your own years at LHS and doing up a room.”
Puleo agreed.
“As a kid, I always looked forward to the event,” said Puleo. “I remember walking through the rooms with my friends and family being terrified. In high school, my friends and I created Candy Land during our sophomore year and an insane asylum our senior year. The students have so much fun creating and decorating the hallways. And I know that Michaelann always brought her children.”
Lynnfield High foreign language teacher Jodie Leibowitz, who serves as the Class of 2021 advisor along with Puleo, said Haunted High School will have both “scary and happy areas” once again.
“Instead of decorating individual classrooms, we are transforming the hallways,” said Leibowitz. “Happy themes include the ‘Wizard of Oz,’ 80s disco, super heroes, a beach party, rainbows and others. The scary themes include a haunted hotel, operating room, insane asylum and a clown room.”
Leibowitz said Haunted High School attendees “will start the evening by entering the happy area.”
“Then, people can continue through all the happy rooms to the exit,” said Leibowitz. “Or they can explore the scary section if they dare.”
Puleo said the children who attend Haunted High School “will get a bag of candy on their way out.”
“We encourage people to come in their Halloween costumes,” said Puleo.
Leibowitz noted, “People from other communities are also welcome.”
Herook said people can pre-register for Haunted High School by visiting the Lynnfield Community Schools website and downloading the registration form.
“Forms should be sent to the Community Schools office,” said Herook. “If you purchase tickets ahead of time, the price is $5. Tickets at the door are $7.”
Puleo said all of the proceeds from Haunted High School will be donated to the junior class. He hopes Lynnfieldians will return to the event after a seven-year hiatus.
“Haunted High School is all about community,” said Puleo. “We hope it will bring people together to enjoy the holiday. The younger kids and families will see how friendly, welcoming and creative the high school’s students are. It’s a great way for the Lynnfield and surrounding communities to come together for an exciting night.”
