Parties, Costumes, and Candy: How WSUV Students are Celebrating Halloween

From carefully planned costumes to evenings spent handing out candy, WSUV students and faculty are preparing to celebrate Halloween in ways that reflect their personalities, friendships, and family traditions. 

First-year criminal justice student, Bella Jimenez Garcia, plans to work before attending a Halloween party dressed as a character from “Monster High.” Although pumpkin carving is not something she usually does, she plans to include it as a part of this year’s celebration. 

Shanika Chand, a first-year business management student, will also head to a party after work. She plans to dress as Tinker Bell, with her brother portraying another character from the fairy’s world. 

“She’s one of my favorite animated characters, a big part of my childhood,” Chand said. This will be their first Halloween party outing. 

For Claudia Cerda Equinua, the evening will center on family. She plans to take her sisters trick-or-treating while dressed as an FBI agent. Her sisters will wear Elsa and Corpse Bride costumes. Visiting a pumpkin patch and carving pumpkins are traditions her family typically shares. 

George Regis, a second-year student studying biology and mechanical engineering, is preparing a celestial-inspired costume with help from friends. His plans include white body paint, a toga, painted stars and dots, and star-eyed contacts. 

Regis said he became more interested in Halloween after friends encouraged him to attend parties. “Halloween is much more fun with my friends,” he said. 

Lilly Lovelady will continue an annual neighborhood tradition, dressing as Jason Voorhees and frightening trick-or-treaters and their parents. 

“My neighbors love to sit outside and watch me scare kids and their parents,” Lovelady said. 

She hopes more households will decorate and participate in Halloween, giving children the same excitement she remembers from trick-or-treating when she was younger. 

Sue Hamdan plans to spend the evening at home eating pizza and distributing candy. She has purchased an assortment that includes Milky Way, Snickers, and Twix. She will wear a skull headband while greeting visitors. 

Lilli Milliken will welcome trick-or-treaters while dressed as Miss Piggy. She has already visited two pumpkin patches and carved pumpkins, including Jack and Sally designs with her partner. 

“I am well pumpkin-ed this year,” Milliken said. 

Selena Ramirez will reuse last year’s wizard robes, inspired by season one, episode 11 of “Adventure Time.” Her mother’s annual pumpkin bars are a seasonal tradition. 

“My favorite part about Halloween is seeing everyone’s creative costumes and seeing the decorations around the neighborhoods,” Ramirez said. 

English Professor, Kandy Robertson, expects hundreds of trick-or-treaters in her neighborhood. She has purchased two large bags of candy and typically gives each child a couple of pieces. 

Robertson will not wear a costume, but visitors can expect a surprise: a large spider that jumps when someone steps on the doormat. 

Across these celebrations, the common thread is participation. Whether helping friends assemble a costume, accompanying younger siblings, or answering the door with candy, students and faculty are contributing to the shared traditions that make Halloween a community occasion, each in their own way.