HPU Students Co-Host Special Populations Halloween Trunk or Treat Event
High Point University’s student chapter of the Council for Exceptional Children co-hosted a Special Populations Halloween Trunk or Treat event with High Point Parks and Recreation’s Adaptive Sports, Programs and Inclusive Recreation on Oct. 21 at the Miracle League of High Point Field. Pictured handing out candy were HPU elementary education majors Juliana Lombardo from Wayne, New Jersey, Emily Eckhardt of Brick, New Jersey, and Robert Wallace from Cape Carteret, North Carolina.
HIGH POINT, N.C., Oct. 27, 2025 – High Point University’s student chapter of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) co-hosted a Special Populations Halloween Trunk or Treat event with High Point Parks and Recreation’s Adaptive Sports, Programs and Inclusive Recreation (ASPIRE) on Oct. 21 at the Miracle League of High Point Field.
Each year, HPU’s CEC works with ASPIRE to organize the event for community members with intellectual or physical disabilities to have an opportunity to dress in costumes, dance and enjoy games, crafts and food in Halloween-themed areas. The annual Halloween event is a way for HPU students to connect with, develop friendships and support individuals in the High Point community. CEC consists of students from across campus with a common interest in promoting awareness and providing support for individuals with disabilities.
“Volunteering at events like this directly supports my goal of becoming a special education teacher,” said HPU CEC President Madison Kattke, a sophomore special education major. “Working with individuals with special needs in a real-world setting allows me to better understand their strengths, challenges and the types of support that help them thrive. These experiences give me practical skills and confidence that I can apply in my future classroom, helping me create an inclusive and supportive learning environment for all students.”
The HPU student organization has hosted this event and others like it for more than 20 years, said Teresa Owens, clinical instructor in the Educator Preparation Program in HPU’s Stout School of Education.
“I am incredibly proud of how our students come together each year to help organize holiday events for individuals with special needs in the High Point community,” said Owens, who is the CEC faculty advisor. “These special events create a joyful, inclusive space where everyone can celebrate, connect and feel valued.”
Through these events, HPU students gain hands-on experience in planning, organizing and supporting inclusive programs, Kattke said. Students learn to communicate effectively, solve problems and work collaboratively with peers and community members. They also develop patience, empathy and leadership skills.
“We help provide holiday events like the Special Pops Halloween Dance and Trunk or Treat to give individuals with special needs in the High Point community opportunities for social engagement, fun and inclusion,” said Kattke, who is from Doylestown, Pennsylvania. “These events allow participants to celebrate holidays in a safe and welcoming environment while creating joyful memories that they may not otherwise experience. These events mean a lot to us because it is our own special way of connecting with our community.”
HPU’s CEC Treasurer Larissa Paddock, a junior accounting major with a minor in philosophy, said students help organize these events each year because they believe in creating inclusive spaces where everyone can celebrate together.
“These events strengthen the connection between HPU students and our local community, allowing us to engage meaningfully while spreading joy,” said Paddock, who is from Castleton-on-Hudson, New York. “Through helping manage these events, my peers and I learn valuable skills in organization, communication and adaptability, especially when creating environments that are welcoming and supportive for individuals of all abilities. For many education majors in our club, these experiences provide a hands-on opportunity to apply what they learn in the classroom. For me personally, it has taught the importance of empathy, teamwork and service—qualities that will strengthen both my higher education experience and my future career in the professional world.”
For HPU students, the experience goes far beyond event planning as it provides an opportunity to build authentic relationships, practice inclusive communication and see firsthand the impact of community engagement, Owens said.
“We’ve even had graduates return to town just to participate in the dances and reconnect with individuals they formed friendships with during their time as HPU students,” Owens said. “Through these experiences, our HPU students learn the true meaning of inclusion and gain deeper insight into the strengths and individuality of people with disabilities. Each dance reinforces what we strive to teach in the Stout School of Education: that compassion, collaboration and respect for all individuals are at the heart of effective teaching and service.”
Approximately 150 participants normally join the event, said Stephanie Hedgecock, ASPIRE program coordinator.
“The main reason it’s important for High Point University students to be here is for the inclusivity,” Hedgecock said. “Our guys really enjoy coming out here, seeing them and doing crafts with them. It’s very good for our program because our participants see High Point University students in the community and they get to say they hang out with them and know them by name. That means a lot to them.”
HPU students will co-host two more special population events during the 2025–2026 academic year. The Holiday Dance will take place Dec. 2 at the Morehead Recreation Center. The Valentine’s Dance is scheduled for Feb. 10, 2026, also at the recreation center. Both events begin at 6 p.m.