URBANA - The subfreshman Halloween celebration was canceled this afternoon, making it the first casualty of the circulating flu bug.

The Halloween party for members of the Class of 2014 and their subbie buddies was planned for 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, but Assistant Director Sue Kovacs canceled it due to the increasing number of sick students.

On average, five to 10 students leave or do not attend school due to illness. But today, that number has increased to 47 students, eight of whom left school around mid-day.

Today's absences more than doubled Monday's total of 21. On Tuesday, that number had increased to 36.

Organized by the subbie buddies, last year's Halloween party was a rousing success and featured board games, treats, and other activities on the first floor and a haunted house on the second floor.

Subbies came to the event decked out in a variety of costumes, including Sarah Palin outfits in honor of the 2008 presidential election.

The activities at this year's party would have remained largely the same but with a few additions, such as face painting and some surprises that the subbie buddies hadn't revealed.

However, counselor Sarah Dewhurst hopes that there will be a replacement for the party, even if it does mean having Halloween in February!

"We're sad," she said, "but what can you do? We can't perpetuate the situation."

A Look Back at the 2008 Subbie Halloween Celebration

Gargoyle photos by Revathi Maturi, Maritza Mestre, and Joy Shapley

Heather Lin, setting up a scary head to fall on visitors to the haunted house, was among the many subbie buddies who gave up their Friday night to help out with the Halloween party. (click to enlarge; click any photo to create your own slideshow)

The spookiness was palpable.

Counselor Sarah Dewhurst arrived as a witch while
subbie buddy Or Ashkenazi had yet to don her costume.

A nasty body hanging from the elevator entrance greeted students to the haunted house.

Not everything was scary at Uni that night; plenty of treats made for a festive atmosphere.

Some of the treats that subbies enjoyed.

Melissa Rosas was a festive witch.

Chaperones like math executive teacher Craig Russell also took a run through the haunted house.

All kinds of costumes livened up the party.

Sarah Palin was a favorite among partygoers.

Another view of the many costumes on display.

The costumes didn't have to be elaborate for subbies to have fun.

Chae Won Park (left), Gabby Kozlowski (center), and Charlotte Popetz snacked in the kitchen.

Among their many activities, subbies watched a Halloween movie.

Throughout the night, subbies and subbie buddies played a variety of games.

It was a relaxing night for the subbies as they took part in the games.

From left, Ariana Martinez, Halley Pollock-Muskin, Chelsea Edwards, Petra Rantanen, Katie Cox, Melissa Rosas, and Julia Zuo enjoyed the evening.

Subbie buddy Marie Lilly helped mummify Iain Konigsberg for the event.

The second-floor hallway was host to a variety of haunted house transformations.

The first-floor hallway was open for socializing.

Another look at the transformed haunted house.

Subbie buddy Kahlilah Cooke prepared intensely for the subbies' arrival.

Subbie buddy Aishwarya Gautam found her way through the stairwell.

Subbie buddy Maria Gao spent time with a deadly guest.

Petra Rantanen got into the spirit of things.