Colby Halloween celebrates 30th year
Children trick-or-treated, sipped on lemonade, played in a “Bouncy House” and saw a Fort Worth fire truck Tuesday at the 30th annual Colby Halloween.
By Amy Johnson
Staff Reporter

Tuesday night was the second Colby Halloween for 4-year-old Faith Franzwa, who came dressed as Dorothy from the “Wizard of Oz.” She wore a checkered baby blue dress and sparkly red slippers.

And a grin from ear to ear.

“I just hope that when I say ‘trick-or-treat,’ they don’t make me do a trick first,” Franzwa said jumping up and down.

Every year on the Tuesday before Halloween, residents of Colby Hall decorate the residence hall and open their doors to children of faculty and staff. This year, Colby kicked off it’s 30th annual trick-or-treating event with one new addition: Rise School children were included in afternoon Colby Halloween festivities.

Emilia Cummings, Colby Hall director, did not know how many children participated, but said more than 600 children were expected.

Popcorn, cotton candy and lemonade were available for children as they left the hall. There was also an inflatable “Bouncy House” for kids to jump on and a Fort Worth fire truck.

Children were led throughout the residence hall by volunteers and resident assistants.

She said the little ones — those younger than 6 — trick-or-treated in light hearted and fun wings while the older kids, 7 to 9, went through the scarier wings.

The event was a treat for some moms.

“It’s really a lot of fun,” said Janna Franzwa, Faith’s mother. “The students really out do themselves. The halls look amazing.”

For the first time, Rise School children shared some of the fun.

Kathleen Cooter, director of the Laboratory Schools, said all 24 children in the Rise School participated in the afternoon Halloween fun.

“Colby invited us to attend last year, but the evening is difficult because the children are too little, it’s very crowded and some of the candy is not appropriate,” she said. “This year they came up with a way for us to attend during the afternoon.”

Kristen Enright, mother of 4-year-old Scott Enright who dressed up as a Dallas Cowboy’s football player, said she thinks TCU’s involvement with the Rise School is terrific.

“It’s great that the students get to see what wonderful and loving children they are,” she said.

Cummings said the idea to include Rise School children generated from the Staff Assembly.

“It was a wonderful opportunity for everyone involved,” she said. “Everyone here is ecstatic about it.”

Julie Graver, Staff Assembly community service chairwoman, said the success of the Easter egg hunt with the Rise School last year prompted the Colby Halloween idea.

Colby Hall resident assistant Abby Crawford said she is glad her wing got to host the Rise School children.

“We really enjoyed it,” she said. “The children from the Rise School are a very special part of our university.”

Amy Johnson