Halloween is just around the corner, and OHS students are gearing up and sharing some of their haunting opinions, traditions, and favorite aspects about the spooky holiday.
Many students are very passionate about the idea of trick-or-treating and see it as a timeless tradition of fun and community bonding with no age limit.
“I don’t think that anyone is too old to trick-or-treat. I think that people of all ages, all the way up until you’re ninety, and past that even, should be trick-or-treating, especially in high school,” said Chase Norton, senior.
Students also see Halloween as a way to spend time with friends and communities outside school.
“I would say high schoolers aren’t too old to trick or treat because it’s fun to go out with your friends,” said Dallas Slade, freshman. “I’ll probably be hanging out with my friends or cousins.”
Other students believe that as kids get older, instead of being the ones trick-or-treating, they could focus on making Halloween special for those younger than them.
“I think that high schoolers are probably too old to trick or treat. I mean, I like getting candy but I think we could be the ones handing out candy to people now,” said Wyatt Walker, freshman.
Various high school students often throw or attend Halloween parties instead of trick-or-treating, and see it as a fun way to hang out, play games, and celebrate the holiday with friends.
“For Halloween this year we might throw a party with some friends and our youth group at our house,” Walker said.
Nevertheless, students are excited and looking forward to their respective Halloween plans, looking to make this year frighteningly fun.
“I was thinking go all out for Halloween this year, you know, be extravagant and be the life of the party,” said Katie Hoppenworth, senior.
Like many holidays, Halloween serves as a time when families can get together, create memories, participate in any traditions, and create new ones.
“Every Halloween we go to my cousin’s house and hang out there,” Slade said. “Halloween is also my grandma’s birthday and it’s a fun way that our whole family can get together.”
Certain families have yearly customs that become a staple and something they can look forward to every year.
“I carve pumpkins every year with my family and we also bring a TV outside and put it on my dad’s truck to watch football,” Walker said.
OHS has some of its own festive activities in certain clubs and programs where students can get into the Halloween spirit.
“Usually we have a special Halloween practice for marching band and we have trunk or treat after where we all get to dress up in our costumes and go trick-or-treating with all the cars and all the props, so it’ll be pretty fun,” Norton said.
One of the most prominent aspects of Halloween is the idea of obtaining as much candy as possible, which high school students seem to agree to enjoy.
“You know I’m out there taking my pillowcase and running to every single house to beat my sister for our weigh-in because whoever gets the most candy wins, and then we obviously sort it all and give each other the stuff we don’t want,” Hoppenworth said.
Certain students already have their Halloween costumes planned out and are excited to put some creativity to the test and see people’s reactions.
“What I’m dressing up as is kind of a secret, but it might be a little Paw Patrol action, you never know,” Norton said.
Whether it’s dressing up as ghosts, superheroes, zombies, or clowns, Halloween elicits a sense of nostalgia and reminds people of all ages about the joys of feeling like a kid and experiencing the excitement of the holiday.
“My favorite Halloween costume was when I was like five years old and was Scooby Doo and Scooby just hit different because, you know, Rooby-Rooby-Roo,” Hoppenworth said.
