This year, Cherry Hill High School East’s Class of 2026 Student Government Association (SGA) had a fundraiser which offered a schoolwide movie night. Students from all grades had the choice between five different Halloween-themed movies and a form was sent out so they could vote on which movie would be played. The five choices included Hotel Transylvania, Halloweentown, Coraline, Corpse Bride, and Hocus Pocus. Of these five choices, the majority vote decided on Coraline. 

On October 25th at 7 PM, students from all grades came together on the turf field, bundled in blankets, to watch Coraline on a big blow up screen. Attendants outside of East students/staff were also allowed in. Refreshments and snacks were sold at the snack stand for anyone who was interested, creating another chance for fundraising. Admission into the movie itself was only $5, affordable for many audiences. 

“It was a good fundraiser because it got the whole school involved,” said Shaelea Conway (‘26). 

This was the class of 2026’s first time doing an event like this since their freshman year when they did a roller skating night. Many of the SGA members expressed that it was fun to do another event where many people could attend such as East students from all grades, parents, students from other schools, siblings, and teachers. This event brought out a decent amount of students and raised what they thought to be successful for their first event of this school year. 

The movie night also had a social aspect as it was outside, so attendees were able to walk around and socialize without disturbing those watching the movie. Since it was not set up like a typical movie theatre setting, the movie that was chosen was not a make-or-break decision, altering the amount of people who came to the event. Two students, Shaelea and Keira Conway (‘26) both voted for Hocus Pocus, but still ended up coming despite the outcome of the vote. 

“When I think of Halloween, since it was a Halloween-themed movie night, I immediately think of Hocus Pocus, but [Coraline] was a great movie and really got me into the Halloween spooky spirit,” said Keira. 

This social aspect seemed to be a big part of the event as a lot of students mentioned that they enjoyed the event because it was something fun they could go to with their friends. 

Overall, this was a very relaxing, bonding, and spooky event and was altogether a great start to the school year!