By MICHELLE ADAMS / Guest Columnist

What could children, candy, lions, giraffes and a math honor society have in common? Boo at the Zoo, of course.

Members of Montevallo High School’s math honor society, Mu Alpha Theta, recently volunteered at the Birmingham Zoo’s Boo at the Zoo event, where students passed out candy, played games and created crafts with visiting children.

“Birmingham Zoo has donated materials to our math students to complete activities which incorporate zoo life and math situations,” math teacher and Mu Alpha Theta sponsor Dawn Cabrera said. “In appreciation for their donations, our students give back by volunteering at the Zoo for their Halloween event, as well as for Zoolight Safari and the Zoo Run.”

For MHS students, they were able to get a glimpse of the Birmingham Zoo after hours, and see the facility as more than a zoo.

“Our students loved interacting with the children at Boo at the Zoo,” Cabrera said. “To see the smiles and the high fives during a bean bag toss through a scary monster says it all. Giving our students an opportunity to give of themselves, to give from their heart, helps them become giving citizens in the future.”

Senior Mu Alpha Theta President, Jessie Harbuck, helped children create trick-or-treat bags for the candy trail.

“This was such a good experience,” Harbuck said. “It was so much fun, and the zoo offered a giant slide and even an acrylic ice-skating rink for the children. This type of event is needed for children who may not live in an area where they can go trick-or-treating.”

This is Mu Alpha Theta’s fourth year to volunteer at Boo at the Zoo. In addition to this event this school year, they are planning a math derby for the neighboring schools, a large “Pi Day” celebration, and providing tutoring for the student body.

To be inducted into Mu Alpha Theta, students must currently be enrolled in Algebra II with Trigonometry or a higher level of math, must have completed Honors Geometry, and must have a minimum of a B average in all math classes.

“I have always excelled in math,” Harbuck said. “Through this organization, I am expected to continue to maintain high standards in math, and find ways to give of my talents to help others.”