Hampton University Architecture Program Hosts Annual Bemis Haunted House

Courtesy: EventBrite

By: Clerfania Previlion

Hampton University students enjoyed a spooky Halloween at the annual Bemis Haunted House last Saturday. 

Leading up to the haunted house, architecture students promoted the event by chasing students around campus in clown costumes. While some students enjoyed the scare, some did not, resulting in Hampton University administration sending out an advisory against scaring other students.

Despite the brief controversy, the haunted house drew a crowd and showcased the creativity of the architecture students behind it. Each year, the program uses the event to combine design skills with entertainment, transforming Bemis into an eerie experience. One student from the program reflected on the experience, sharing what it was like to bring the spooky event to life.

“The most challenging part of planning the haunted house was trying to configure a route that would be long enough for people to enjoy, but also minimize cost and potential safety hazards,” said Caden Jenkins, a first-year architecture student. “I was most proud when I realized that we were really able to scare people. My biggest fear was that we would work really hard all for people to not enjoy themselves or get scared, but once I heard all the actors talking about funny reactions from those walking through, I realized all the time and thought put into the haunted house was worth it.”

One student who went through the haunted house shared what the experience was like inside.

“My experience at the Bemis Haunted House was both entertaining and genuinely scary,” Cortez Martin, a first-year sports management major, said. “The scariest moment for me came when we went outside and the actors started chasing people. I definitely didn’t expect that. It was hilarious, but also a bit intense.”

The haunted house not only delivered plenty of scares but also showcased the imagination and effort of Hampton’s architecture students. As the architecture program continues the annual tradition, students look forward to seeing how next year’s haunted house will top this one.