Halloween night the library reference room provided an eerie atmosphere for spooky stories to be told. Jenn Wilson '03 and Bre Pierce '13 hosted the event that took place right before evening study hall. Jenn facilitated faculty and students alike to read chilling tales from Edgar Allan Poe and Seth Grahame-Smith's Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.
English teacher Will Torrey began the night by reading the following four poems: Omens by Cecilia Llompart, Haunted Houses by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Bats by Paisley Rekdal, and Black Cat by Rainer Maria Rilke.
Physics teacher Ashley Hyde contributed a much entertaining read of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. Jenn described her reading this way: "Ashley Hyde's reading from Pride and Prejudice and Zombies was particularly amusing. Ashley handled the tonal shifts between traditional Austin and the horror/action movie mode of the zombie attacks beautifully. Her British accent was a delightful bonus."
Dianna Georges '18 read Poe's especially creepy story, The Tell-Tale Heart. Bre described Dianna's reading as follows: "Dianna captured the insanity of one of my favorite stories. She created an environment in which her listeners felt like an accomplice in the murder."
Mia Nguyen '21 and Roger Broussard '18 rounded out the literary evening by reading another of Poe's stories, The Raven, and were equally as convincing in their delivery.
Will Torrey shared his experience by saying: "Hearing such a wide variety of poems, short stories and novel excerpts was a great and literary way to spend Halloween night, and I know I speak for everyone when I say Jenn Wilson did a great job of putting the event together. I look forward to reading again next year!"
This was the first library literary event of the season and we anticipate another before the Christmas break. Bre said: "The library staff looks forward to planning more events similar to our Spooky Stories reading. Stay tuned!"