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Murder mystery raises funds for cheerleaders
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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .The murder mystery personalities were already in character before the guests arrived for the March 5 fundraiser. For the sake of the murder mystery plot, cuddled together are Roger Day (left) and Julie Walker, Maria Rohan and Andrew Scarmack, while the night's single ladies, Ellen Kosa, Allison Jakubec, and Kyle Radak (right) sulked on the sidelines.
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Dressing in ‘80’s garb was suggested to guests, but not enforced. Len (left) and Lisa Wilson decided to attend in their best era-appropriate clothing.
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Although the night was full of big personalities, guests knew that the event was to raise funds for the hard-working Fitch cheerleaders. Along with the work they do during football and basketball season, Falcon cheerleaders Paige Henley (left), Julie Larkin, and Jessica Welsh helped guests solve the night’s mystery on March 5.
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When guests began to arrive, the murder mystery characters worked the room and let guests learn a bit about their personalities. In character, Julie Walker (left) got into a spat with Kyle Radak (right) while observant guests looked on.
By SARAH FOOR
Stepping into Fitch High School on March 5 was a lot like stepping into a time machine back 26 years. The school’s cafeteria was transformed into a 1985 prom where a mystery was unfolding, as a group of ‘80’s Fitch students were found with an imaginary murder in their midst.
The event, named “A Prom to Die For,” was Fitch’s first Murder Mystery Dinner, offering guests a chance to eat and solve an exciting mystery, all for the good cause of raising money for the Fitch cheerleading squad.
Cheerleading coach Chrissy Farr has planned similar events for various community organizations, but was excited to bring the murder mystery to Fitch.
“I’m so glad we’re able to take advantage of all this space,” Farr said of the free rein she had in the halls of Fitch High School.
“Other times I’ve done this, I haven’t had this much area to work with. We’re excited that our cafeteria is now an entire 1985 prom with all the trappings. The mystery is going to take the guests to clues throughout the school. It’s all really fun and the cheerleaders are all so excited to be involved.”
The mystery followed the story of seven 1985 Fitch students heading to their prom, played by Fitch coaches, teachers, and administrators. The cast included the popular football star and head cheerleader, her group of dedicated followers, and their spars with the brainier students and the two class rebels on the eve of prom.
The real Fitch cheerleaders served dinner and were there to help guests solve the crime as the mystery unfolded.
As guests entered the 1985 prom, the cast worked the room, in character, so guests could get acquainted with the personalities and find their motives for the crime.
“It’s been a very long time since I’ve had to listen this closely and judge what everyone is saying. I’m having a lot of fun and we just started,” said guest Tom Frederick.
After meeting the cheerleader’s best friend character, Frederick’s wife, Thea, said “that best friend does seem like a very jealous person...”
After wandering the halls and gathering clues for the next few hours, Frederick’s first impression was right: The cheerleader’s best friend’s jealousy brought her to offing her friend’s beau, the popular football star.
The entertaining night raised $3,000, along with money raised through ticket sales and basket raffle fundraising.
Susan Henley, mom of sophomore cheerleader Paige, helped decorate the event and hopes it will continue.
“It was really different, but so much fun to plan. I really hope the Murder Mystery Dinner will become an annual event here at Fitch,” she said.