It’s October 31st in America. The crisp, cool winds howl in the night, as young, energetic kids walk down numerous streets accompanied by older siblings, parents or grandparents, holding colorful bags meant for receiving a variety of candies. In the Autumn night, costumes are often easy to find, whether it’s a red and blue Spider Man mask or a white sheet resembling a ghost. That’s right, it’s Halloween, one of the most popular holidays in the United States.

 Halloween is a holiday filled with many different traditions, including trick-or-treating, engaging in costume contests, and carving pumpkins. For those that are a bit older, other popular traditions include embracing a bit more of the “dark side” of the holiday, such as visiting haunted houses, haunted mazes, or perhaps an evening at SCaroWinds. 

Growing up, I remember the tremendous thought, planning, and excitement that went into selecting just the right Halloween costume. One year, I dressed as the Grinch. Another year as a crayon. Perhaps my most memorable costume, however, at least according to many in my neighborhood, was the year I dressed as a local football star. You see, that is the thing about Halloween, it is the one night of the year that you can be whoever you want to be, whether that is a Disney princess, an emoji, or even a football player. 

To get more of an idea on what traditions other members of the Stallion family participate in, I interviewed fellow students on their favorite aspects of Halloween and what their plans are for this year.

One student, Kyla Eloi, stated, “I feel like Halloween is a good time to express yourself and it’s also a really happy time with kids. My favorite part about Halloween is probably trick-or-treating. This year I’ll be dressing up as a female ‘Where’s Waldo.’”

South Pointe Junior Omari Massey  commented, “I celebrate Halloween because I like going trick-or-treating. This year I will be dressing up in a little mask or something.” 

So, regardless of who you are, Halloween is a holiday that has a little something for people of all ages and tastes, whether it is choosing to gorge yourself on candy, taking a walk on the “dark side,” or adopting an alternative persona for just one night. Embrace the fright night Stallions. But remember, as Rusty Fischer notes, “Ghosts and goblins come to play on October’s final day!”