Portions of the proceeds from St. Amant High School's annual Boo at the Barn are donated to the Catholic Daughters of Holy Rosary for Thanksgiving food baskets. The school's Future Farmers of America club hosts the popular event.
Mechanical bull rides, a petting zoo and pumpkin decorating were a few of the many agriculture-related activities offered Saturday at St. Amant High School's 15th annual Boo at the Barn.
The popular yearly event is hosted by the high school's National FFA Organization club with some of the proceeds going to the Catholic Daughters of Holy Rosary's Thanksgiving food baskets.
Mandy Delaune, agricultural science teacher at St. Amant High and an FFA adviser, said the day helps students interact with the community and learn valuable lessons on giving back.
"It's a truly student-led event and organization," Delaune said. "St. Amant is not really in a 'rural community' anymore because St. Amant has grown. But we like to offer rural activities like horse rides and agriculture-related types of things to do."
Delaune said the event continues to evolve.
"Each year, we evaluate how we can improve on the event," Delaune said. "Any time a student wants to push to higher levels and feats, we sit and look at how we can make the event better.
"We like to add unique features each year. This year, we added a scare house and a mechanical bull."
The event offered more than 35 different games and activities, which are operated by students.
The Boo at the Barn also featured a Catholic Daughters of Holy Rosary bake sale, and a dozen vendors offered shopping.
Money made from the Boo at the Barn is dedicated to paying for the event itself and donated to the Catholic Daughters of Holy Rosary's Thanksgiving food baskets.
"Last year we donated $2,000 to provide Thanksgiving meals to St. Amant families," Delaune said.
She praised the students' involvement in the event.
"Students manage various activities to make the Boo at the Barn a success," Delaune said. "Those who like carpentry and welding helped make various tents and booths like the trick-or-treating street cutouts.
"They learned to put tents together. Even if they didn't serve directly today, they've played some sort of role. It teaches them how to be a good citizen and the kids love interacting with people. They learn what community service looks like and how to give back."
Debi Graham, with the Catholic Daughters of Holy Rosary, said the organization uses the Boo at the Barn donation to make annual Thanksgiving baskets. Those include turkey, eggs, bread and sides for St. Amant families in need.
The Catholic Daughters has provided baked goods for Boo at the Barn for a decade, Graham said. The charity also coordinates with area schools for canned good donations to add to the Thanksgiving baskets.
"Last year, we provided 50 baskets," Graham said. "It really feels like we connect directly with the community by giving the baskets and participating in the Boo at the Barn event.
"This is so fantastic for the students and teaches and trains them to do so many things of use. You can see the pride on their faces."
Emily Rhoads, a junior at St. Amant High School, worked with the petting zoo and children's games.
"I love working at Boo at the Barn," Rhoads said. "I love the fall weather, and this event brings a lot of people together and it's just all good things today.
"Being in FFA gives me a sense of responsibility and it's great getting to do some fun things for school while having a good time."