Known for their elaborate decorations and coordinated costumes, LBCC’s Information Technology Services Department exemplifies what it means to get into the Halloween spirit.
Throughout the years, the team has chosen themes like “Beetlejuice”, “The Addams Family”, and Frankenstein’s laboratory. This year’s theme is an ode to 80’s cartoon characters.
Transforming their office to look like an 80’s kid’s bedroom, the team lined the walls with “Star Wars” and “Care Bears” posters, decorated the tables with vintage toys and games, and set up a television to play 80’s cartoons.
“We wanted to bring things that you would find in a typical 80’s kid’s bedroom,” ITS Manager Sundee Dominguez said, explaining that almost all of the props were brought in by the staff.
Dominguez explained that the ITS departments’ inspiration for the theme stems from current popularity in 1980’s culture, brought on by the hit show “Stranger Things”.
“We didn’t want to stick to just “Stranger Things”. We wanted to encompass all of the 80’s”, Dominguez elaborated. “We (the ITS department) thought ‘Let’s bust out some real 80’s stuff’”.
A great amount of planning goes into choosing the department’s theme and bringing their idea to life.
“We actually think of things several months in advance,” Dominguez said. “We make a spreadsheet and people’s names get added to see who’s going to bring props and who’s going to decorate.”
As the team decorated their office, members reminisced about the toys they used to have when they were growing up in the 80’s. This nostalgic feeling ties into the members’ love of Halloween.
“I don’t know what it is, I don’t know if it’s from childhood, but it brings up core memories and positive feelings” Online Learning Program Manager Laura Rantala said.
The department’s passion for the holiday is evident as they describe what inspires them to go all out year after year.
“It’s all about the environment. It’s fun to see all the spooky decorations and see everybody nerd out” LTE Support Specialist Michael Compian said.
“We all just love Halloween and our mutual love for the holiday combines into one big force”, Dominguez said.
The ITS Department continues to show off their love of Halloween and have no plans of stopping anytime soon.