Charleston Middle School hosts 'Mystery Night'

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- Charleston Middle School's "Mystery Night" was held for grades 6 to 8 and families on Oct. 19 at Charleston Middle School.

About 130 participants attended the fourth annual event hosted by Dr. Kimberly Blissett, CMS Principal. Families searched the school, played games and solved puzzles to unlock "The CMS Escape Room."

"As the story goes, our school mascot Billy Blue was locked in an escape room. Video clips showed him walking around after school, following a trail of sunflower seeds which led directly to a trap," said parent liaison BJ Babb, who organized the event, which was a product of CMS Title I Parent Involvement.

Halls normally meant for calm passage between class were rushed by families eager to win, help Billy Blue and discover who locked Billy Blue in his cage, Babb said.

There were six game areas that, once completed, revealed an Escape Code to help Billy Blue out of his cage. Camera Museum had vintage cameras with misspelled descriptionswhile the Evidence Room required studying three pieces of evidence very closely.

Returning stations from last year included Wheel of Random which required students to spin the wheel and complete a challenge. Dark Gym sent families through the pitch black gym in search of matching character faces.

During the "Unlock Ceremony," it was revealed that Billy's captor was in fact Sikeston R-6 Schools' mascot, Bowser Bulldog. A video of Bowser was shown apologizing, courtesy of Sarah Thompson and Sikeston R-6 Schools.

"The purpose of this event was to promote literacy and critical thinking, as well as to promote Charleston R-1 Schools as a place for families to have a fun, safe, and positive time with each other and with the school," Babb said.