The iMentor Halloween Showdown

Friday, October 29^th.  It seemed like just another ordinary day at the iMentor office- Program Coordinators were leading sessions at partner sites, iMentor Interactive team members were training and supporting members across the globe, and the Development team was preparing to send iMentor’s quarterly e-Newsletter to all of its members. All was well.

But truly, that was no ordinary day. There was a stir in the air. People were carrying strange containers up to the tenth floor.  Program Coordinators were seen cutting cloth and large sheets of construction paper.  Scott Daughtridge disappeared into the elevator well with a large pumpkin.

What was going on?

A transformation was about to take place.  The iMentor staff were preparing for the organizations’ 3^rd Annual iMentor Halloween Showdown and Bakeoff! Once a year, just before Halloween, iMentor staff members compete against one another in a costume competition that gets bigger and better every year.  Additionally, they baked treats and scary concoctions to compete in the annual Halloween bakeoff.

This year’s bakeoff winner was Civic Corp member and Volunteer Coordinator, Amanda Neel, who baked a frighteningly realistic-looking batch of kitty litter cake.

The showdown itself started with a parade. All of the contestants presented their costumes to a panel of judges comprised of past winners: 2009 champions, Dana Saxon and Unique Fraser reprised their roles as Mili Vanili, and our first ever champion, Sandra Henry, returned in her winning Erykah Badu costume from 2008.

The competition was fierce. The Development team collaborated with Talent and iMentor Interactive to put on a skit based on the popular sitcom “Glee”, complete with musical number. The totally outrageous program team dressed up as the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Civic Corp members Nicole Rothwell and Amanda Neel were salt and pepper. This seasoned pair, assisted by hype man and fellow Civic Corp member Mike Brennan, spiced things up with a performance set to hip-hop duo Salt ‘N Peppa.

The winners for each category were announced:

• For “Most Economical” there was a tie between the Salt and Pepper Civic Corp members and Program Coordinator Elise Ogden for her tornando costume.
  
• The “Most Creative” award went to the Development/Talent/iMi for their "Glee" collaboration.
• “Most Accurate” went to the Program Team for their Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles costumes. 

But who would win best overall? After much battling, shell spinning and break dancing from iMentor Interactives’ Kevin Trip, the title of 2010 iMentor Halloween Showdown Champions would go to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles! Also known as Victoria Lowe, Elizabeth Kennedy, Paul Nehring, Lisa LoFaso and Alexander “Master Splinter” James.

With the competition over and plenty of kitty litter left in the box, some iMentor staff called it a night while others went in search of festivities.  But no one would forget the bond created that night. Even though they are hardworking, nonprofit professionals, the iMentor team always makes time to create an atmosphere that promotes enjoyment and creativity.

Want to join the fun?  iMentor is hiring!