Gates Chili Central School District

A spooky and spirited, but also safe and socially distant, Halloween-themed breakfast served as the first official senior event for the Class of 2021.

With face masks and costume masks galore, the annual event moved outdoors to the GCHS parking lot on Oct. 29. Dozens of seniors arrived as early as 6:15 a.m. to show off epic costumes for a costume contest, eat breakfast served on the Spartan Eats bus, stay warm by fire pits and make memories as a class. It was the first time this year they've been able to gather as a class.

“It was so nice to be able to finally have a senior event in a fun, safe environment,” said senior Kalissa Marks. “I loved hanging out and catching up with people I don’t always see on inschool days.”

Class advisors, volunteers, security and facilities workers, the Gates Chili School Nutrition team and members of the high school leadership team worked to make the event as “normal” as possible, but with COVID-19 cases on the rise again, their top priority was safety.

“Despite the masks and the distancing, the students were in great spirits,” said Principal Ken Hammel. “This event was a great reminder that it’s on all of us to take health and safety seriously by wearing masks and social distancing outside of school, so we can keep hosting events to celebrate our students.”