Engineering Technology Haunted House Brings Community Together to Support Genesis of Sherman County
GOODLAND, KS – November 10, 2026 – Fort Hays Tech | Northwest's Engineering Technology students once again transformed the Sherman County 4-H Animal Barn into a haunted house on October 30 and 31, bringing the community together for two nights of scares, entertainment, and fundraising benefiting Genesis of Sherman County.
This year's event welcomed 714 visitors, generating $3,582 in monetary donations and 355 cans of nonperishable food. Miller Construction Services, LLC continued its generous support by matching the $2,062 raised during the first night, bringing the event's total monetary contribution to $5,644, with all donations benefiting Genesis of Sherman County.
A Tradition of Community Impact
Since the Engineering Technology program began hosting the Haunted House at the fairgrounds in 2016, the event has generated $24,356 in monetary support, including matching contributions, and collected 6,915 nonperishable food items for Genesis of Sherman County.
The annual event has become a tradition that brings together students, local businesses, community organizations, and residents in support of families throughout Sherman County, particularly as the holiday season approaches.
Hands-On Learning That Gives Back
Beyond the entertainment, the Haunted House serves as one of the Engineering Technology program's largest hands-on learning projects. This year, 21 students were responsible for designing, constructing, and operating the attraction, including themed rooms, mechanical props, lighting, sound effects, and interactive elements.
The project allows students to apply engineering design, fabrication, project management, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. Second-year students also take on leadership roles, helping guide first-year students through the construction and operation of the event.
"The Haunted House is one of those projects that brings together so much of what we try to teach our students," said Mike Zimmerman, Mechanical Engineering Technology Instructor. "They take an idea from design through construction and operation, learning to work together, solve problems, and take responsibility along the way. What makes it even more rewarding is seeing the community come together to support their efforts, knowing that the end result is helping local families."
Community Partnerships Make It Possible
This year's Haunted House also featured several safety improvements, including new fire-retardant wall materials made possible through a grant from the Sherman County Community Foundation. These improvements help provide a safer experience for visitors and participants while creating reusable materials that will benefit the event for years to come.
Fort Hays Tech | Northwest extends its appreciation to the Foundation for investing in the safety and continued success of this student-led community project.
Special recognition also goes to Miller Construction Services, LLC, which has now provided matching contributions for three consecutive years. With this year's $2,062 contribution, Miller Construction Services has donated $5,180 in matching funds since 2024, significantly increasing the support provided to Genesis of Sherman County.
A Community Effort with a Lasting Impact
The continued success of the Haunted House is made possible through the combined efforts of Engineering Technology students and instructors, Fort Hays Tech | Northwest, local businesses, charitable organizations, volunteers, and the hundreds of community members who attend and donate each year.
Together, these contributions help Genesis of Sherman County provide food and other essential assistance to local individuals and families, especially during the upcoming holiday season.
Fort Hays Tech | Northwest sincerely thanks everyone who helped make the 2026 Haunted House another successful year of hands-on learning, community involvement, and giving back.
For more information about the Civil and Mechanical Engineering Technology programs at Fort Hays Tech | Northwest, visit www.fhnw.edu.
About Fort Hays Tech | Northwest
Fort Hays Tech | Northwest, located in Goodland, Kansas, provides hands-on technical education focused on preparing students for careers in industry. Its Engineering Technology programs emphasize practical application, innovation, technical skills, and real-world problem-solving through classroom instruction and project-based learning.
