Scream Scout Vampiress
Team Leader: Kathy Ryder
Experience Level: Novice (Start Date: June 21, 2025)
Normal Coverage Area: Traveling Team Member
Status: Active
Background:
As a North Jersey native, my understanding of Halloween was primarily centered around trick-or-treating. I didn’t realize there was a whole industry dedicated to the spooky season; I wish I had known about it earlier! When I was young, I feared watching horror movies because I didn’t like all the gory stuff. However, now I enjoy horror films and anything paranormal, with my favorite being “The Exorcist.” I have a fondness for old horror films from the 70s and 80s. In 2005, I moved to Pennsylvania with my family in search of better educational opportunities and a better life for my son, Justin. I attended cosmetology school in New Jersey and obtained my aesthetician license, and I’ve been in the industry for 23 years.
In my free time, I enjoy cooking, traveling, spending time at the beach, and attending music-related concerts and festivals. My taste in music leans toward metal, rock, and old-school classics. Singing is my passion. After moving to Pennsylvania, I participated in theater productions at the Ephrata Playhouse, including “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” and “South Pacific,” where I was part of the ensemble. It was so much fun!
I was also in a cover band for a few years called Pistol Whipped, based in Berks County, PA. Later, I joined an original band called Madness at Midnight, which also originated from Berks County. We recorded a couple of songs and played at numerous shows. Additionally, I briefly joined a band from New Jersey called Candlelight Chaos. Things were going really well with the band and my career, but then COVID hit. The band came to an end, and I faced some scheduling challenges at my job, making things tough and leaving me uncertain about the
future.
In 2020, after COVID hit, I was given the opportunity in the fall to travel and review various haunted attractions throughout the United States. Since it was my first time, it turned out to be a great time to visit these places, as extreme experiences weren’t allowed due to COVID restrictions, leading to a gentler introduction to the world of haunts—what a coincidence! Now, nearly five years later, I still enjoy traveling to various attractions across the country and helping to review haunts. This has become my favorite time of year, second only to Christmas. Oh, and the Christmas-themed haunts are my second favorite! Over the years, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting fellow haunters and people who are passionate about the industry along the way.
In 2021, my son Justin started accompanying me to the haunted attractions for his first time, and he has grown to love them too. Now he texts me whenever a haunt attraction announces their schedule, and I love watching him laugh and cling to me for dear life as we walk through them – hoping that he won’t be grabbed and taken away!
Contact Info:
