The University of Texas Permian Basin Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) brought Falcon spirit to the annual Trunk or Treat event at Texas Roadhouse in Odessa on Monday, October 26, connecting with local families and celebrating the Halloween season in true community fashion.

For SAAC, returning to the event was an easy decision after the positive experience members had the previous year. After enjoying last year's festivities, the group was excited to once again take part in the event that brings the community together.

"We had such a great experience participating last year, and we wanted to come back and be part of it again," said SAAC Vice President Kyndall Torres. "It's a fun way to give back to the community, interact with local families, and make Halloween special for the kids."

Student-athletes came together to help plan, decorate, and participate in the event. SAAC members were excited to get involved, whether that meant handing out candy, interacting with the kids, or helping create a fun setting for everyone.

Beyond the Halloween festivities, the event gave UTPB student-athletes a chance to represent the university and give back to the community that supports them throughout the year.

"As student-athletes, we stand for more than just our teams. It's important for us to give back to the community that supports us throughout our seasons," said Torres. "Events like this allow us to connect with people outside of athletics and hopefully be positive role models for younger kids."

Having a positive impact and making lasting memories for local families were at the heart of the evening. For Torres, watching the smiles and interactions between student-athletes and children made the experience especially meaningful.

"I hope everyone had a great time and made some fun memories together," said Torres. "For the kids, I hope they enjoyed getting to interact with college athletes and left with a smile on their faces. Even something as simple as handing out candy can make a difference in someone's day."

Torres and fellow SAAC members were also happy to support Texas Roadhouse, a longtime supporter of UTPB Athletics, and join in on a night of fun for the community.

"We're really thankful to Texas Roadhouse for allowing us to be part of this event again," said Torres. "It's always rewarding to see the community come together, and we're excited to continue participating in events like this in the future."