In recent years, students and staff at NHP have reported many strange incidents while walking from class to class in the dead hallway. The hall runs from the English hallway down to where social studies is taught and many use it as a quick route to class. However, many have reported it being the long way after experiencing troubling events.
Built in 1956, New Hyde Park Memorial High School has a rich history, yet there is a part not often discussed. In the past, many students have reported hearing certain noises and seeing full figures in the hallway even when they are completely alone. Some have reported that the shadows resemble looks from the 1960s, making many wonder if these are the ghosts of former students from the beginning of New Hyde Park’s journey.
“The dead hallway actually gives me the heebie-jeebies,” senior Pari Rana said. “I felt it especially during P.S. I Love You Day when the windows were covered up, and you could hear whistling.”
Rainy days are when students and staff encounter the most paranormal activity. The lights dim significantly more as the rain increases, giving students a cold and eerie feeling when walking in the dead hallway. Many have reported hearing louder voices and banging on lockers throughout these days, giving rain a stigma at New Hyde Park.
“It feels like the start of a scary bonfire story, y’know? I can’t help but feel creeped out when I walk through it, like something’s not right,” junior Jay Bhandari said.
New Hyde Park’s annual Decades days and costume events are when spirits are on high alert. Amongst the crowds of students dressed up in clothing past their generation, some have seen unfamiliar faces and all too realistic clothing from that time. There are two main ghosts often seen in the dead hallway. The first ghost is nicknamed “Johnny Cash” as students have reported seeing him with slicked back hair, a tight leather jacket, and a dirty rock and roll shirt. Many hear him humming infamous tunes from that time and dancing. However, he can quickly become aggressive if approached by students who do not resemble his generation. The second ghost is of a young girl nicknamed “Trixie” who is said to be an old cheerleader captain. She can be found in her old uniform, high ponytail with a bow, and dirty white and blue pom poms in hand. Many students hear her chanting her cheers and practicing her kicks. She is often seen when the dead hallway is quite busy, as she loves a large crowd.
“I have not seen either ghosts during the day but one night when I was at school for a basketball game I did see a silhouette of a high school boy who didn’t quite look like he was from this generation,” senior Nyelle Sarreal said. “I ran away in fear cause when I did a double take to see who it was, it disappeared.”
“When I’m here for various night activities with the school, I often feel a strange feeling over my shoulders as I walk to my office through the dead hallway,” social studies chairperson Mr. Galvin said. “Now I can’t tell if it’s because it’s dark, but I can feel it. That’s why I always stand between the corners of the dead hallway and the social studies office. I’m curious to see if I’ll see what everyone suspects is there.”
