Image Information: Organs Source: Wikipedia
It was a Thursday afternoon. Jane and her friends were getting ready to participate in their first University Sing program. They were at their final practice before the weekend was full of shows. As other students made their way to get their water bottles for a five minute break, the girls began to talk.
"I can't believe the time is already here for our first real performance at University Sing!" exclaimed Jane.
"I know right? It's so cool that we get to be a part of this traditional Campus Activities Council Event!" replied Kim, Jane's friend.
"It's almost like we're on Broadway!" exclaimed Sarah, another U-Sing participant.
"Let's bring it back in, everyone," said Kelly, the U-Sing director.
"Alright, everyone! It's been super fun, and now it's time to showcase all of your hard work. That's a wrap. Get some rest, and we will see you all later tonight for your very first show," said Kelly.
"Wow, I can't believe that we are going to be performing on this amazing stage in front of an audience," said Kim.
"I know right? I don't think I'm ready to walk back to the dorms just yet. I really just want to hang around in this room a little longer," said Jane.
"All right, Jane, I'll see you back at the dorms. Looks like everyone is heading out too," said Kim.
As all the students began to file out, Jane made her way to the stage. She wanted to take in the atmosphere, see the empty auditorium, and really get a feel of what it's like to be up on stage by herself.
Suddenly, Jane heard a door slam.
"K-K-Kim is that you?"
The door slammed again, and this time even louder.
"C-C-Come on Kim. This isn't funny!"
Again, the door slammed, but this time it was the backstage door. Peering behind her, Jane saw nothing.
"W-W-Who's there?"
The lights began flickering, and finally, the room was dark. Within seconds, the lights above the stage began to shine. Looking up, Jane saw a woman's face configured in the ceiling. She looked old, but Jane couldn't make out who it was. It was a round face, outlined with wrinkles, and she seemed to be scowling. It was probably the creepiest look that Jane had ever seen.
Scared, Jane began packing her stuff only to hear organ music begin to play. No one was in the room, and Jane knew something spooky was happening.
Her heart was beating fast, her palms were sweating, and all she could think was, "I need to get out of here." Jane had never experienced any situations like this before. While she was intrigued by horror, little did she know that she could not handle facing horrific situations herself.
She quickly gathered her stuff as the face in the ceiling continued to show itself. Jane turned her flashlight on her phone to navigate the dark room, and the face vanished. As she ran towards the exit sign and out the building, she kept hearing slamming noises in the distance. Jane ran as fast as she could out of Holmberg Hall.
Out of breath, she arrived by the front door of Holmberg and people noticed the look on Jane's face.
"Hey, are you okay?" asked a girl dressed in an OU sweatshirt and leggings.
"I-I think so. I might just be imagining things, but the lights were flickering in there and there was organ music!" exclaimed Jane.
Laughing hysterically the girl in the sweatshirt replied, "Well, then you just got a visit from Dr. Boggess. Legend says that even though she died, she still hangs around Holmberg Hall. She raised funds for an organ for the University, but it was placed in Catlett. However, the noises can still be heard in Holmberg."
"Wow, how did she die?" asked Jane.
"I'm not sure. I don't really know the whole story, but, Holmberg is haunted. Not many freshman know," said the girl.
Jane thanked the girl for her insight, and began making her way to the dorms. If there's something she wanted to achieve by the end of the weekend, it was to know more about Dr. Boggess and this haunted mystery.
"It says in Jeff Provine's book, Campus Ghosts of Norman, that Dr. Boggess died in 1987. She raised funds for an organ that is now relocated to Catlett Hall. There were reports that in 2002 there were renovations being made in Holmberg, but paranormal activity occurred during its reconstructions - tools went missing, odd noises rang through the halls, and the door slammed often, even when students were alone," said Jane.
"That's crazy. Are you sure this happened to you? How do you know that these stories aren't fake, and made to scare freshmen like us?" asked Sam, Jane's roommate.
"Are you kidding me, Sam? This has to be true. Even the random girl I ran into after all this scary stuff happened to me said it was true. She said not many freshman know about it!" exclaimed Jane.
"Haha, see. She said "not many freshman know about it" which means people are just pulling your leg, Jane. Go get ready. U-Sing starts soon, and I'm sure Dr. Boggess wants you back in Holmberg on time," said Sam, sarcastically.
Shrugging off Sam's comment, Jane began to get ready.
Did Jane really experience a ghost? How does Jane feel about this, and what will happen next? Will Jane face more mysterious situations? Will Sam finally believe in campus ghosts?
These girls may just face a spooky adventure of their own.
Stay tuned.
Author's Note: This story was based off the hauntings of Dr. Boggess. She completed her undergraduate studies at OU, and then went off to Michigan to study postgraduate work in music. She then came back, dedicating her skills to the art of teaching. She became a professor at OU, and then became known for teaching some of the most famous organ players in the nation. She died in 1987 and also had an organ that was donated to Catlett. They say she is still lurking in the halls of Holmberg as students have experienced eerie events from door slammings while they're alone, to hearing organ music play even when not in use. There were also several instances in 2002 that occurred during Holmberg's renovations that included tools being missing and eerie sounds.
Bibliography: Campus Ghosts of Norman, Oklahoma by Jeff Provine