At Chatham Charter School in North Carolina, DECA advisor Larisa Spillman and her members have transformed a student idea into one of the most anticipated community events of the year.
What began four years ago as a small, one-night fundraiser has evolved into a large-scale production that brings together students, families, alumni, and local businesses for a weekend of fun, fright, and fundraising.
Each fall, Chatham Charter DECA hosts the “Knights of Terror Haunted Trail” as part of the school’s Knights Family Celebration, a series of community events that take place three times a year.
What started as a quarter-mile trail with 50 actors now spans a half-mile section of the campus and involves more than 60 student performers, 10 adult volunteers, and even returning alumni. This year’s Haunted Trail sold over 700 tickets, generating $7,000 in profit to support the DECA chapter.
The event’s success comes from its student-led design and operations. Everything - from sets and costumes to makeup and props - is almost entirely created or donated by students, families and community partners.
“We ask for any donations of old Halloween items, and we have some really awesome parents who love all things Halloween and dedicate their time to helping us with DIY crafts and decorations,” Ms. Spillman shared.
Last year, the chapter began reaching out to local businesses to expand its network of support. Students secured donations and mentorships by connecting directly with community partners, offering recognition through social media and event promotions. One of the most impactful collaborations came from The Haunted Forest at Panic Point, one of the largest haunted attractions in the area. The professional team there shared their scare guide handbook, hosted a “tombstone tutorial day,” and taught students how to make realistic props.
The chapter also partnered with Huckleberry Farms, a local pumpkin patch and corn maze, which donated corn stalks and helped promote the event. And in one of the most unique donations to date, students received three actual autopsy tables from a nearby university, an eerie but unforgettable addition to the trail’s props.
To manage such a large operation, students work in structured committees. In class, Spillman ties the event tasks to marketing and business curriculum standards, from budgeting and logistics to promotion and inventory management. Each section of the trail is managed by a station leader who develops a needs list and oversees their team. The prop committee helps build custom set pieces, while officers monitor the budget and coordinate logistics. The Vice President of Leadership oversees the overall trail operation, ensuring all teams are aligned and deadlines are met.
Promotion for the Haunted Trail is handled entirely by students through Instagram, Facebook and TikTok. This year, one of their TikTok videos went viral, earning nearly 2 million views and 250,000 likes, and growing their account from just 25 to over 3,200 followers.
“It was a great lesson on virality being an outcome, not a strategy,” Ms. Spillman joked.
The chapter also uses its SimpleTix platform, integrated with Square, to sell tickets and manage communication with attendees. To attract more guests, students distributed flyers to local elementary schools promoting the “Not-So-Scary” hour, a trick-or-treat version of the trail for younger children, and offered discounts and prize drawings for attendees who returned for the second night. On Friday alone, they sold 577 tickets - more than their school’s entire K–12 enrollment of 550 students.
What makes this event truly special is the way it unites the entire community. Students gain real-world business experience, families enjoy a night of fun, alumni return to participate, and local businesses proudly sponsor the event that celebrates creativity and leadership.
“Everything about this event is student-driven,” Ms. Spillman shared. “They design it, market it, manage it and make it their own. Watching them take ownership and seeing how the community rallies behind them—that’s what makes it so rewarding.”
Through the Knights of Terror Haunted Trail, Ms. Spillman and her DECA members have built more than a fundraiser - they’ve built a tradition that celebrates entrepreneurship, leadership and school spirit in truly unforgettable fashion.
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