Students at Spirited Minds Academia in Augusta turned Halloween night into more than just spooky fun during their annual anime club–run haunted house.
The center, led by director Layla Hammett, serves children ages 5–12 and takes an unconventional approach to education by combining academics with lessons in life skills, emotional regulation, and social growth. Students learn through hands-on activities like budgeting at the grocery store, tending to a new garden, and organizing creative clubs that build confidence and teamwork.
“This is more than just Halloween fun,” Hammett said. “Many of our kids have been bullied or are homeschooled, so seeing them proud of what they’ve created means everything to me.”
This year marked the second time the anime club hosted the haunted house, with students designing each themed room themselves. While last year’s event drew more than 200 visitors, Hammett said this year’s Halloween-night schedule brought a smaller but still enthusiastic crowd and plenty of heart.
One of the decorators, Skyler, spent more than 12 hours over two weeks designing her room, which Hammett called the biggest hit. “She’s incredibly creative and passionate,” Hammett said. “I’ll brag about her all day.”
