Astonishingly 2/3 of students are frightened to experience the horrors of haunted houses. 

According to Chat GBT, the first and largest nonprofit haunted house, conceived by Walt Disney, debuted in 1969, although its origins trace back to 19th-century London. This marked the introduction of illusions and attractions, laying the foundation for the world of scary entertainment. Over the ensuing decades, the Great Depression ignited interest in haunted houses due to its perfectly horrifying timing. In the past year alone, approximately 2,700 haunted houses have sprung up. With this surge in popularity, the financial aspect has seen a corresponding boost, typically raking in $3 million in a single year while the industry is valued at around $300 million. In a recent survey of 100 Morton East students, only 37 admitted to having visited a haunted house. We also interviewed five individuals to hear their personal stories from these eerie attractions. 

“I hate haunted houses; I refuse to spend money to be frightened,” Civics teacher Ms. Sandoval said. 

Many individuals opt to stay away from haunted houses due to their fear of the experience. 

“People seek fear because they want to step out of their comfort zones, and it’s a way to feel in control of their environment, knowing they won’t get hurt but still feel the rush of it. I believe it’s a healthy and normal desire to experience this. Aside from that, it’s a fun way to embrace the spooky season,” English teacher Ms. Ellison said. 

As the Halloween season approaches, the idea of haunted houses sends adrenaline levels soaring. 

“I love haunted houses mainly for the adrenaline rush, but the most terrifying experience I had was when a frightened actor grabbed my leg and began crawling and chasing me. Being chased is one of my biggest fears,” Senior Jennifer Rios said. 

Terrifying experiences hold a special allure for many. 

“I eagerly await the Halloween season each year, and going to haunted houses is a big part of that. I’ve visited many, but the scariest one by far was Hells Gate. To enter the haunted house site, you need to park your car at a Metra Train Station and ride a school bus to reach it. It’s an exhilarating and eerie journey, and when you arrive, it gets even scarier. You must traverse through the woods during the haunted house experience and venture inside a massive house filled with creepy figures and attractions. It’s worth it and offers a genuinely spooky experience,” Senior Karica J. Chavez said. 

People have different experiences with haunted houses, and some let their fear get the best of them, leading to them refusing to enter. 

“I took my class of 2018 to the 13th floor, and two students suddenly claimed they had epilepsy and couldn’t enter due to the flashing lights, but I suspect they were just scared,” Journalism teacher Mr. Frankfother said.