By U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrea Posey
MCGHEE TYSON AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Tenn. -- Ghosts' and ghouls' agonized wails filled the hallways as skeletons greeted the judges at the door. A hush of anticipation griped contest participants as their creepy creations were inspected, and everyone wondered, "Who is the best?"
U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the I.G. Brown Training and Education Center showed off their inner interior designer for a frightening Halloween decorating contest here Oct. 31. This event wasn’t just for fun. Col. Kenneth Lozano TEC Commander, has made it a priority to create a space for Airmen to foster human connections and enjoy a healthy work-life balance.
“This event got the staff excited and had an element of team building as it reinforced connections whether from staff combining efforts to decorate or going outside of their division to check out other’s creativity,” said Tech Sgt. Eboni Hills, president of the TEC Morale Association. “It also added the fun of healthy competition; all things that create unity.”
The contest was broken up into three categories: classroom doors, individual offices or cubicles, and overall sections between two divisions. Students battled for the 1st place prize of a pizza party and runner up prizes of “Snack-O Bucks” to use at their snack bars. Staff and faculty went head-to-head to win bragging rights for the next year.
“Historically, door decorating contests have been done at TEC but only for students,” Hills said. “The decision to split the categories was due to popular demand and excitement for the contest.”
On All Hallows’ Eve, judges from the education center explored the horrifyingly transformed buildings to determine the winners.
“I think the students did an outstanding job and truly showed how innovative they can be,” said Master Sgt. Charles Pugh, Airman Leadership School superintendent. “When you see how they think outside the box, use real materials to decorate rather than just buying a few items from a store, it’s really awesome.”
Although it was a difficult choice for all judges involved, and a tie-breaker had to be utilized, in the end, there could only be three winners which were:
- NCOA J-flight and ALS B-flight triumphed for best classroom doors.
- Tech Sgt. Amber Monio, a broadcast specialist for Professional Continuing Education, took home the title of the best cubicle.
- PCE won the title of the best division.
For Pugh, the contest is more than just fun for his students because of the connection it creates in the schoolhouse.
“Having events like this can really help the individual flight bond as they compete against the others,” Pugh said. “It [also] gives the instructors something to brag about with the students, which helps the flight understand the instructor is there to support and cheer them on as well.”