Ghosts.  Goblins.  Things that go “BUMP!” in the night.  Yes, it is that dreadfully wondrous time of year again.  The one time of the year when it is socially acceptable to be as creepy, crawly, wacky, wild, extravagant, and eerie as you wish.  The time of Halloween.
According to www.history.com, the first form of Halloween was originally celebrated by the Celtics in what is now Ireland, around 2,000 years ago.  They called it Samhain and they believed that on the night of October 31^st, the ghosts of the dead returned to earth and wreaked havoc upon the world.  In Rome, the Pope decided to hold a festival on November 1^st in honor of Christian martyrs. However, shortly after, the celebration was changed to include saints as well.  During this festival, people participated in parades and dressed up like saints, sinners, and devils, which mirrored some of the aspects of the original Celtic Samhain celebration.  The new Roman-Celtic celebration was first called All Saints’ Day, and later changed to All-hallows, then later to All-hallows Eve, and finally, Halloween.
Contrary to the original motive All Saints’ Day, most people nowadays love Halloween because it is a time of fear, excitement, dressing up, and of course…free candy.  Contemporary costumes vastly differ from the original saint and sinner ones of ancient Rome.  This year, among West High students, it seems there is prevalence in costumes relating to Japan and fictional characters.  Yubin Kang (11) explains that “[she is] going to be wearing a kimono as a geisha.”  Justin Sullivan (9) happily exclaimed that “[he] is being Totoro [from Totoro]” and Stephanie Uchino (11) is opting for “Kiki from Kiki’s Delivery Service,” both of which are the main characters of two different Japanese animated films.  Adding to the number of fictional character costume choices, Kiana Nicio (12) will be dressing up as a Smurf, and Lauren Stowe (10) as Luna Lovegood from the Harry Potter series.  Lovegood is a quirky and unpredictable companion of Harry. To capture her look, Stowe explains, “I will wear a white and pink shirt probably, wand in hair if possible, black tights, funky socks, and I’m not so sure for bottoms right now. Oh and crazy shoes.”  Though it seems that the majority of students are not choosing to don more grotesque or frightening costumes, Halloween this year will undoubtedly be interesting and enjoyable regardless!