October 1, 2025 — Elite Preparatory Academy (EPA).
Senior writer and Editor-in-Chief: Boge Xiao
With thanks to Mr. Edwin for guidance, Aiqiao Xu for photos, and all Newspaper Club and EPA volunteers for their participation.
The air carried that crisp sweetness of October, whispering that Halloween is upcoming. As Mr. Edwin’s van turned onto Lakeside Boulevard, the late-afternoon light shimmered across Hopatcong. In the backseat, laughter mingled with the rustle of candy bags, small reminders of what we came for: Pumpkin Night, a celebration of community, creativity, and care.
Weeks earlier, I had drafted the proposal connecting EPA’s Newspaper Club with The SMILE Organization. On October 2, Valorie, Aiqiao, and I went to Walmart for candy and supplies for what would become a nearly fifty-person event. Thanks to Ms. Siya’s generous support, everything was ready right on time.
When we arrived, Ms. Susan greeted us warmly, her calm voice guiding the flow of the evening. Soon, residents and students headed out to the nearby field to pick pumpkins. We paused for a group photo, and for a moment the whole field seemed to glow. people lifting pumpkins for one another, trading jokes in the cool breeze, sunlight catching on orange shells like small lanterns.
Back inside, the carving began. Each EPA volunteer paired with a resident, chatting, laughing, and sketching faces before cutting into the pumpkins. As the representative of EPA, I moved between tables to check supplies, ensure safety, and help wherever needed. Valorie handed out candy, Aiqiao captured moments through her lens, and the room filled with the rhythmic tap of carving tools.
What emerged were not just pumpkins, but portraits of imagination: some smiling, some mischievous, some completely abstract. And in every face, whatever human or carved one, there was warmth. Service didn’t feel like a duty; it felt like belonging.
As we packed up and thanked the hosts, I looked around one last time. The tables and the floor were clean—everyone had joined the effort. Only the air still held a smell of paint and cinnamon, and people were still smiling in the end. That, I thought, is what a community looks like: imperfect, lively, and full of light.
When pumpkins glow, so do we.
Voices from Volunteers：
Below are reflections from our volunteers—the night in their own words.
Kayden Cheung:
During the course of this remarkable activity, I was privileged to have the opportunity to interact socially with the community members and offer them assistance in fulfilling their various needs. Since this was my first-ever experience joining this type of community service event, I felt an indescribable feeling of joyfulness and contentment getting the chance to distribute warmth and positivity among the members. This euphoric experience has genuinely been the best chance for me to broaden my horizons, as this has aided me to become increasingly attentive and tolerant so that I am able to interact effectively with an array of people during this enriching interaction.
Aiqiao Xu:
There, I met so many interesting souls. Everyone who joined the event was deeply artistic. For instance, their sense of color and shape was remarkable. Yet beyond their love for art, they also showed a profound love for life itself. As a photographer, they are lively and warm under my lens: they sway with the rhythm of the music; introduce us to their family and friends; they help each other, push wheelchairs for others, and help each other get materials; their cheerful shouts show the purest happiness and warmth. I believe this will remain one of the most precious moments of my life — a rare time when light, art, and human connection came together so perfectly.
