Fright Nights has returned to Athens Drive Magnet High School once again, bringing scares for a good cause. Fright Nights is a haunted maze that donates all of their proceeds to the Duke Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplant Family Support Program and the Food Bank of North Carolina. Many Athens Drive students volunteer at and attend the maze due to the message the haunted house sends and that the scares are free.
“A lot of my friends were working at Fright Nights. I have only heard good things about it,” said Ashley Brooks, junior.
This event started when Athens Drive student Kasey Fountain wanted to help raise money for her favorite charities six years ago. To do so, she and her parents decided to launch Fright Nights in 2012, allowing them to raise 750 dollars on their first night. Since then the haunted maze has raised over 8000 dollars since 2012, thanks to the help of Athens Drive students.
“Approximately 40 ADMHS helped out, either at the event itself or in the preparation process. They started planning and constructing over the summer. From what students have told me, they had a blast working on making Fright Nights awesome. They are all exceptionally proud to be able to help the community,” said Ashlynn Hayes, theater teacher.
This year the organization raised approximately 4737 dollars from their fright filled maze and the numbers are only growing. More students from local high schools such as Athens Drive and Enloe High School are choosing to attend this maze because of its credibility, its close proximity and its an inexpensive price.
“This was my first time attending Fright Nights, and I thought it was very well put together and you could tell time and effort was put in by everyone,” said Brooks.
For younger children, there are “Not-So-Scary” nights where the lights are on as one walks through the haunted maze. However, most people tend to do the typical Fright Nights with the lights off as the ‘scarers’ try their best to get one to scream. Fright Nights seems to be a hidden gem with only those in the triangle knowing about the charitable haunted maze.
“I found out about Fright Nights from having Kasey Fountain as a student involved in the theatre program last year,” said Hayes, theater teacher said “I attended Fright Nights last year but was unable to attend this year. Fright Nights was terrifying! It was exceptionally well done.”
