Halloween arrives as October comes to a close. Costumes are bought, candy is devoured and Archer’s campus is decorated with spooky ornaments. This holiday prompts an exciting environment within Archer, as Loraxes chase each other down a dark hallway, middle schoolers fight over candy and sophmores chatter about plans for tonight.
Halloween is celebrated annually on Oct. 31, originating from the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people started bonfires and wore costumes to “ward off spirits.” Today, it has evolved into trick-or-treating, pumpkin carving and parties. At Archer, students celebrate with a variety of events, including a costume and pumpkin-decorating contest.
Freshman Skylar Hall said she is looking forward to Halloween because it allows her to “be anything she wants to be,” and spend time with friends.
“I love Halloween because it is a time when I can dress up and I will just be myself … I can be anything I want, and nobody will judge me for it,” Hall said. “Spending Halloween with people that I like and love makes it fun.”
Many Archer students have evolved their Halloween celebrations as they have grown older. Maggie Collins (’28) said she has shifted away from trick-or-treating to spending time with her friends in other ways.
“I really like Halloween; it is fun. I used to like trick-or-treating, but now I feel like I am too old for it, which is sad. It is awkward to go to your neighbor and say, ‘Trick or treat’ at 15,” Collins said. “Last year, I feel like it was my last year trick or treating … I think I am just going to watch a movie, eat candy and pass it out, too.”
Senior Layla Negrin said Halloween remains one of her favorite holidays, even though her celebrations have changed over time. She said Halloween provides an opportunity to step away from schoolwork.
“On Halloween, I always have so much homework to do. Instead, I will only trick or treat for two hours, then I will go and do my work and study. But, I really appreciated it more as I’ve gotten older,” Negrin said. “I really love it. I think, in the fall, it can be really stressful with school, and I think Halloween is a really nice break where you have so much fun. Whether you are watching movies or eating candy, it is a nice way to relax.”
Collins said autumn involves some of her favorite seasonal activities. Painting pumpkins, watching scary movies and eating candy are ways to embody the fall spirit. She enjoys the haunted house put together by the seniors.
“The fall season is a great vibe. I like to paint pumpkins… watch a scary movie and pass out and eat candy with friends,” Collins said. “Halloween is one of my favorite days in October because we get out early in school. The haunted house is also really fun because I like to see what the seniors have put together. It is fun to go into a dark hallway and just scream.”
Beyond celebrations, Hall said the meaning of Halloween shifts between school and home. This year, she is being Winnie the Pooh at school and a pirate outside of school. Hall noticed that outside of school, celebrations can create pressure to dress more revealingly.
“Corsets are really popular this Halloween,” Hall said. “The Mean Girls movie, for example, had a line where Cady says, Halloween is the one night out of the year where every girl gets to dress up inappropriately and nobody will shame them. And I feel like [the media] started this [trend] where people wanted to express themselves with less clothing.”
Negrin agreed, saying social pressure can influence how people choose to dress outside of school.
“In school, people are a little more serious about [the dress code] … But I also think that at school, it is the one day in the school year when people are a little more relaxed and laid back, which I think is really important,” Negrin said. “[Costumes relate] to trends. People dress a certain way because they think other people are doing it too, but I think it should be up to you; whatever you want to do is whatever you want to do.”
Despite those differences, Negrin said Halloween brings the Archer community together. She said preparing the senior haunted house has allowed her to connect with classmates she may not usually talk to — creating a fun and memorable Halloween experience.
“Halloween has increased bonding, especially because we are working [on the haunted house] in mentorship and not necessarily your friend group. I am working with people that are in my grade who I would not talk to otherwise, and it is really nice,” Negrin said. “I am just so excited for Halloween. I feel I have been looking forward to this since I came to Archer in seventh grade, and I am so excited.”
