Students make a trip to ROTC's Haunted House for a fun scare

Troy University’s Army and Air Force ROTC held its annual haunted house from Oct. 22-23 for the first time in its new location at 400 Pell Ave. The haunted house was open to all, and the entry fee was $3 prepaid and $5 at the door. 

The theme of this year’s haunted house, put together by ROTC students and staff, was Insane Asylum. The haunted house wasfully funded and created by ROTC students.  

Giulianna Rivero, a junior biomedical sciences major from Miami, Florida, who attended and enjoyed last year’s haunted house, shared her experience. 

“[It was] very scary,” Rivero said. “I’m someone who’s been to Halloween Horror Nights and many horror houses, and this is my top just because it’s so real.  

“They have so much in every room that’s different, and it’s just amazing. I came last year, and I loved it, so I came back and really enjoyed it again. It was more this year, so it was even better.” 

Mary Hauge, a senior hospitality and tourism management major from Fairhope, Alabama, shared a similar sentiment. 

“This is the best haunted house I’ve ever been to, and I had fun,” Hauge said. “It was definitely scarier than I expected.” 

Konnor Havens, AROTC cadet and senior interdisciplinary studies major from Fairbanks, Alaska, shared his favorite part of putting the house together and being a guide for visitors. 

“My favorite part of taking groups through is watching people get really scared,” Havens said. “Other than that, we had fun putting it together.  

“We had a big speaker and would play a bunch of music and have fun while we were hanging things up.” 

The student visitors also shared their favorite parts of the haunted house. 

“My favorite part is the amount of characters there are and how it’s just constantly scary, so it keeps you active and very involved,” Rivero said. 

Hauge described her favorite scares from the house. 

“I think my favorite part was when they threw the body on the ground and then just chasing us around on the floor; that was fun,” Hauge said. 

Havens shared some encouragement for students to support a more local haunted house. 

“It’s worth the $5 that you’re going to have to pay compared to the $25 to $30 for an actual haunted house,” Havens said. “Plus, it’s a lot more local.” 

All funds raised from the haunted house will go toward the ROTC program. 

Rivero also shared some encouraging words for those considering future visits. 

“I would just recommend the house to anyone to be honest,” Rivero said. “If anyone is even thinking about it for next year, definitely go because it’s amazing.”