Members of the UHS Wrestling team pose in their haunted costumes at the Chapel of Chills and Hayride of Horror fundraiser.

Photo Courtesy of UHS Wrestling

James Condelles ‘26

STAFF WRITER

On October 19, 25, and 26, the high school’s wrestling team hosted the second annual Chapel of Chills and Hayride of Horror fundraiser, an event that proved to be both a resounding success and a meaningful contribution to the community. The event was run solely by volunteers, and all proceeds benefited the wrestling program. The fundraiser featured two attractions: a haunted house called the Chapel of Chills, and a hayride called the Hayride of Horror.

The haunted house was built inside of an abandoned church located on junior wrestler Tommy Robinson’s property. Starting in mid-September, it was slowly converted into a terrifying chapel with the help of volunteers and players. Junior Logan Shipe, a wrestler, explained, “On Saturday mornings, kids and parents from the wrestling team converted the inside and outside.” Using staples, wooden walls and Halloween props, the volunteers createda mazelike interior. This allowed people to take a tour through the chapel while being attacked by frightening effects, jump scares, and volunteers dressed up in Halloween costumes. Robinson said, “We worked every Saturday to prepare the attractions, as well as any free time that we had.” He continued, “When the haunted house and hayride were finally ready, the team and a bunch of my friends ran the attractions for three nights.”

The chapel wasn't the only event. The property all around the house was used as the route for the Hayride of Horror: a chilling tractor ride through haunted forest. A ghostly tractor pulled people along the route while all around them creatures and spirits roamed. Many wrestlers and students helped to scare the riders. Junior Reid Wilson explained how, at one point on the ride, he and others pretended to be “survivors in an old shed, running from people with chainsaws.” On the whole process, Robinson said, “It was a very fun experience, and it led to bonding between teammates that would not have occurred elsewhere.

The fundraiser was met with massive support from the Unionville community. Not only did both of these events raise more than twice the amount they did last year, but it ended up being the most successful fundraiser in the wrestling team's history at Unionville.