High schoolers say they aren’t too old for Halloween

Written by Kylie Maier, Teen Times Reporter
Friday, 23 October 2009 09:25

When you hear “costumes,” don’t be thinking ghosts, ghouls, and witches. This year the halls of Darien High School will be filled with cowgirls, celebrities, and super-heroes.

Some might think high schoolers are too old or just too cool to dress-up for Halloween. However, many students would disagree. “Halloween is a great chance to be someone completely different and out-there,” Caroline Weihs, a freshman, said.

Add freshman Kate Fitzmaurice: “Yes, it’s so much fun!”

Last year, ’80s dancers flooded streets, but that costume passed with the decade. This year, high-schoolers see two options: going casual, or going all-out.

Many girls will be taking a trip out west, wearing cowgirl hats, cowboy boots, plaid shirts, and leggings. Another popular option for both girls and boys is super heroes. Kendra Osborne, a junior, plans to dust off her superhero costume for the second year in a row. William Epifonio, a freshman, is “flying” house to house as batman, he said.

Though almost all high schoolers are planning to dress up for trick-or-treating, many aren’t planning to wear their costumes to school. If you are dressing up for school, remember the school’s few Halloween dress codes.

“Student costumes must be in good taste,” Dan Haron, the Darien High School principal, said, “not in underwear.”

At Party City, each costume’s popularity changes every time the holiday rolls around. Party City’s best-sellers this year include the bumble bee costume for girls and a “Transformers” suits for boys. An all-around popular and new costume many teens are trying on in Party City’s dressing rooms is “Ironman.”

Students won’t be the only ones changing identities. Mr. Haron revealed that five to 10 teachers are planning on dressing up this year, though he himself will be wearing an everyday suit. “I haven’t dressed up in the past years,” Haron said. But, “if I have an incentive…”

One of the teachers known for dressing up is science teacher Sean Otterspoor. Every Halloween, Mr. Otterspoor has posed as a jack-o-lantern, donning orange pants and shirt, and flashing electric eyes. Since Halloween falls on a Saturday, Mr. Otterspoor says he isn’t planning to join the few other teachers wearing costumes on Friday. However, he is wondering if students will notice the absence of his costume.

“Students mostly don’t realize it at first. I mean, they’re freshmen,” Otterspoor said with a smile. While Darien High School will be missing his signature costume, other teachers and students plan to try to take his place for best costume on campus this year.