Written for The Argo by Faith Freeman.

Different costumes, masquerade masks and a bright red carpet filled Stockton’s Campus Center on Thursday, October 29, for the Lolla-No-Booza celebration. The “Behind the Mask” event was from 7 to 11 P.M., spreading all the way through the campus center hallway and filling the event room and Board of Trustees room.

To enter the event all Stockton students could get one free ticket at the information desk and received red wristbands at the check-in desk. Throughout the hallways, more than 20 tables offered fun and engaging activities to win little raffle tickets that students can then use to get drawn into a raffle to win big prizes, while a photo booth gave friends a chance to capture their Halloween outfits.

The event also provided Stockton students a valid reason to give back. Throughout the week starting from October 26, Osprey Pantry donation station offered five raffle tickets for every eligible unopened, unexpired item that was donated.

A boxed 32-inch smart TV was among one of the prizes on display. Free food trucks began serving at 7:30 P.M., and prize winners were announced at 10 P.M.

Beyond all the costumes and prizes, the celebration was a way to give students a break from being so serious all the time and school work and actually enjoy Halloween with the school community without alcohol or drugs.

The event connects with Stockton’s recovery services, which support students recovering from any type of substance abuse problems through counseling and recovery housing. The overall goal is to help students maintain their recovery while staying involved at school.