By Sara Poric ’26
There are four events currently happening in the Derby High School library. For the month of Oct., the library is hosting a Two Sentence Scary Story Contest, a Ghost Scavenger Hunt, and a Halloween ISpy. Puzzles are the last event the library has going on, and they are available for students all year.
The second annual Two Sentence Scary Story was started by DHS Librarian Amy Reilly. As the name suggests, students and faculty can “write their scariest story, but it needs to be only two sentences long and school appropriate,” Reilly explains. “I’m just looking for something that’s going to be weird, scary, or spooky.” Reilly gave the top three winners from last year a Dunkin gift card. The previous year, Reilly had about 15 entries, and she hopes to get more people to participate. You could have either handed Reilly a piece of paper with the two sentences written on it or scanned the QR code outside the library and fill out the Google Form. Submission ended Oct. 25; Reilly will announce the winners soon.
The Ghost Scavenger Hunt is a new event at DHS this year. Twenty-two ghosts will be hidden around the library with a letter attached to it. The letters will form a joke, and anyone who figures it out will earn a prize. Sofia Rudus ‘26 says, “I think I’ll do it, it sounds really fun.” Reilly states, “I’m looking to get more kids in [the library]. If they’re hunting ghosts, they might also happen to find a book and think ‘Hey, this looks good, maybe I’ll read this.’” Check in with Reilly if you want to participate and possibly earn a sweet treat. Reilly aims to continue the scavenger hunt every month based on whatever holiday falls on that month.
Halloween ISpy is a new event at DHS this year. A folder is posted outside the library containing paper filled with an assortment of supernatural and ghostly images. The objective is to find 14 of those images. There is no prize, but, “If you are bored one day and want to challenge yourself, go ahead and take a paper.”
This year, the popular puzzles are back. “Last year, puzzle mania took over in the library, and I had children skipping Pep Rallies to do them.” Puzzles are always available for students looking for something to do with a study period or any free time. Rudus comments, “I do have a study in the library, so maybe I will work on a puzzle sometime.”
The DHS library is more than just a collection of books; it is a safe space to learn and have fun. Reilly has worked hard to make the library a more enjoyable location and provide the entire school with an opportunity to come together and bring a sense of community into it. Get out of your comfort zone and participate in these events.
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