By A.J. Nichols

Bellbrook High School’s Supportive Peers program is getting ready to host its third annual Trunk or Treat at Bellbrook Middle School on Saturday, October 24. Program lead Tess Rivero expects anywhere from 300 to 400 children to attend this year’s event. “This is a lot compared to the previous two years,” Rivero said. “Every year it just keeps getting bigger.”

“This event is open to everyone in the community, that’s why our numbers are big,” said Junior Deanna Le. Le is one of the student leaders alongside Marissa Gainer. Le has been involved with Supportive Peers since sixth grade.

The event will also feature new activities this year, including a haunted hallway run by BMS theater students and a coffee bar operated by BHS student volunteers.

Beyond the candy and festivities, this event highlights the core purpose of Supportive Peers building meaningful connections between high school students and peers with special needs. The program has expanded rapidly, growing from just 22 members to over 150 today. “There’s a stigma with special needs kids, and our goal is to promote inclusivity,” Le said. “It really takes one action or invite to build that message.”

“This event is also a way to show that there are good teenagers in our community,” Rivero said, encouraging all interested students to join the program.