BOONE, N.C. — On Saturday, Oct. 16, ghouls, ghosts and goblins once again gathered on the campus of Appalachian State University — and virtually — for the 11th annual Spooky Duke 5K/10K Race and Costume Contest. The event raised more than $25,000 to support High Country children with special needs — the most to date since the race began in 2011.
This year, 341 walkers and runners and 50 volunteers participated. With sponsorships, donations and participation fees, the event raised more than $15,000 in proceeds to benefit App State’s Parent to Parent Family Support Network-High Country (FSN-HC), which assists regional families who have children with special needs.
Participants in the 2021 Spooky Duke Costume Contest at Appalachian State University on Oct. 16. Photo by Kyla Willoughby
Two $5,000 matching grants from Health Foundation Inc. and Mast General Store raised the total to $25,617.
The Halloween-themed fundraising and awareness-raising event is a USA Track & Field-certified 5K and 10K race with a free costume march and contest in which children, adults and pets show off costumes as part of the fun. Spooky Duke is named in honor of Dr. Charles R. Duke, event sponsor and former dean of App State’s Reich College of Education (RCOE).
Kaaren Hayes, director of Appalachian State University’s Parent to Parent Family Support Network-High Country (FSN-HC), second from left, congratulates the youngest winner of App State’s 2021 Spooky Duke Costume Contest, held Oct. 16. Photo by Kyla Willoughby
Pictured in the foreground are sophomore psychology major Karyn Schy, left, and junior public health major Jonathan Apolinar Soriaño in their “holy cow” costumes. Schy and Soriaño shared the Best Costume trophy as winners of App State’s 2021 Spooky Duke Costume Contest, held Oct. 16. Photo by Kyla Willoughby
A family of Links — the main character from video game “The Legend of Zelda” — prepares to compete in Appalachian State University’s 2021 Spooky Duke 5K/10K Race. Pictured, from left to right, are Brian Cole, Ana Cole, Natalie Croxton, Owen Cole and Sophia Cole. Photo by Kyla Willoughby
Captain Marvel and Wonder Woman took time from saving the world to participate in the 2021 Spooky Duke Race held at Appalachian State University Oct. 16. Photo by Marta Saylors
Sophomore music education major Malcolm Vaughn, left, and senior psychology major Angeline Amponsah carry the Costume March banner for Appalachian State University’s 2021 Spooky Duke Costume Contest, held Oct. 16. Photo by Marta Saylors
Spider-Man and Batgirl joined forces to take part in Appalachian State University’s 2021 Spooky Duke Race and Costume Contest, held Oct. 16 on App State’s campus and virtually. Photo by Marta Saylors
Appalachian State University alumna Olivia Cullipher ’19 and her canine companion, Foley — outfitted as a pirate, pause for a photo during App State’s 2021 Spooky Duke Race and Costume Contest. During her time at App State, Cullipher served as an intern for the university’s Parent to Parent Family Support Network-High Country, which assists regional families who have children with special needs. Photo by Helen Phillips
Have you ever seen a furry, four-legged pumpkin? The costumed canine pictured was one of several that took part in Appalachian State University’s 2021 Spooky Duke Race and Costume Contest, held virtually and in person on App State’s campus Oct. 16. Photo by Kayla Willoughby
App State’s Parent to Parent (FSN-HC), housed in RCOE, provides free support and information to families who have a premature baby or a child with a disability, an emotional or behavioral challenge, a mental illness or a chronic health condition, and also assists families who are grieving the death of a child. The program serves Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Mitchell, Watauga, Wilkes and Yancey counties.
What do you think?
Share your feedback on this story.
About Parent to Parent Family Support Network-High Country
Parent to Parent Family Support Network-High Country (FSN-HC) provides free support, caring connections, information and hope to families who have a premature baby, a child with a disability, an emotional or behavioral challenge, a mental illness or a chronic health condition, and to families who are grieving the death of a child. The program serves seven counties in Western North Carolina: Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Mitchell, Watauga, Wilkes and Yancey. Parent to Parent FSN-HC provides information and tools to help families see the possibilities for their children and turn that potential into reality. Learn more at https://parent2parent.appstate.edu.
About the Reich College of Education
Appalachian State University offers one of the largest undergraduate teacher preparation programs in North Carolina, graduating about 500 teachers a year. The Reich College of Education enrolls more than 2,000 students in its bachelor’s, master’s, education specialist and doctoral degree programs, with offerings that span multiple fields — from teacher preparation, counseling, and therapy, to higher education, school and student affairs administration, library science, educational leadership and more. With over 10,000 alumni employed in North Carolina public schools, there is at least one Reich College graduate in every county in the state. Learn more at https://rcoe.appstate.edu.
About Appalachian State University
As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, affordable education for all. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.
![App State to offer AI concentration in master’s programs [faculty featured]](/_images/_posts/2025/04/ai-concentration-600x400.jpg)
