The Haunted Attraction Association has awarded three $1,000 scholarships for 2026 to Erin Sanders-Alcala, Hannah Augspurger, and Rose Rizzo, three people who work in haunted attractions while continuing their education. Formal education funding is rare in an industry that runs largely on seasonal and volunteer labor, and this year’s winners come from two of the association’s certified Top Haunts and a national operator.
Joe Thaler Scholarship: Erin Sanders-Alcala
Erin Sanders-Alcala of Sherman, Texas, received the Joe Thaler Scholarship. She works with Dark Hour Haunted House, a Plano, Texas attraction the HAA has certified as a Top Haunt.
James K. Smith Memorial Scholarship: Hannah Augspurger
Hannah Augspurger of Huntington, Indiana, received the James K. Smith Memorial Scholarship. She is on the team at Hysterium Haunted Asylum in Fort Wayne, Indiana, another of the association’s certified Top Haunts.
Bloody Mary Makeup Scholarship: Rose Rizzo
Rose Rizzo of Spring, Texas, received the Bloody Mary Makeup Scholarship, which supports makeup artists in the industry. She works with 13th Floor Entertainment Group, a national haunt operator whose 13th Floor Haunted Houses in cities including Houston and San Antonio are themselves certified Top Haunts.
How the Scholarships Work
The Haunted Attraction Association awards three $1,000 scholarships each year to people at its member organizations. The Joe Thaler and James K. Smith Memorial scholarships go to students enrolled in accredited two- or four-year college programs, and the Bloody Mary Makeup Scholarship supports makeup artists working in haunted attractions, a craft at the center of any haunt. Eligible applicants include actors, makeup artists, cast and crew, individual members, and volunteers at HAA member organizations. Starting this year, the association has set a fixed deadline: nominations and applications are due by May 1.
“The strength and future of the haunted attraction industry depend on the talented people who bring our attractions to life,” the Haunted Attraction Association said. “These scholarships are an opportunity to recognize individuals who are investing in their education while also contributing their time, creativity, and talents to our industry. We congratulate Erin, Hannah, and Rose on being selected as our 2026 scholarship recipients.”
The HAA thanked Dark Hour Haunted House, Hysterium Haunted Asylum, and 13th Floor Entertainment Group for supporting the recipients.
About the Haunted Attraction Association
The Haunted Attraction Association is the trade group for the haunted attraction industry, working on education, safety, communication, advocacy, and professional development for attraction owners, operators, actors, makeup artists, and vendors. Beyond the scholarships, it runs the industry’s annual OSCARES awards, certifies the country’s Top Haunts, and holds a yearly State of the Industry seminar. At its 2026 annual meeting, the association elected a new president and seated a new board.
