Story by Isabelle Wurmser
On October 31, 2022, costumed students gathered for the annual Halloween costume contest, a yearly highlight for many. Walking through the halls on Halloween, you might encounter teacher lookalikes, inflatable dinosaurs, and even a full pizza pie.
Throughout the day, teachers award their best-costumed students with a gold slip. The “Golden Ticket” is a pass to the costume contest during 4th block. During the contest, students are called up in categories, lined up, judged, and after all categories are shown, a winner is announced. This year, history teacher Mr. Jason Bloom hosted the event.
Starting with the Most Original, students stepped out as the Onceler from The Lorax, Sydney from I Am Not Okay With This, David S. Pumpkins from SNL, and even a killer clown.
Next, students showed their darkest sides with the Scariest Costume. Of the spookiest were a plague doctor, Paul Allen from American Psycho, and a soldier in a gilly suit.
Premiering their craftiness with the Home-Made Costume, we saw DIY costumes like Edward Scissorhands, Mario, and a Shaggy-Velma duo.
Funniest Costumes presented a slim picking, drawing laughs with Vector (of Despicable Me fame), a popular costume this year, Argyle from Stranger Things, and even Mr. PotatoHead.
In the biggest category, Imitations, a “fan favorite from administrators,” we saw Mr. Ferullo, Mr. Sodt, Mr. Barresi, and our very own security guard Ms. Judy represented on the platform by students.
Concluding the categories was Group Costumes, hosting the most students by far. There was a Jurassic Park of dinosaurs, TY Beanie Bears, Flynn Rider and his Rapunzel, and a six-person pizza.
Before announcing winners, students thanked administrators for allowing the contest, something that had been banned in the past due to the great excitement it created. After judge deliberation and some festive music, all students were called to the platform for a group photo.
Finally, it was time to announce the winners. Students waited with bated breath to hear the results, whether they drew upset or delight. For the 2022 Halloween Costume contest at Brick Memorial, winners were announced as follows:
Most Original Costume: Gavin Bailey as the Onceler from The Lorax
Scariest Costume: Brody LaVallee as Paul Allan from American Psycho
Best Home-Made Costume: Isabel Bartolucci as Edward Scissorhands from Edward Scissorhands
Funniest Costume: Mr. Potato Head, Julianna Jaroslawsky
Best Group Costume: Zamora Diaz and Dylan Demarest as Jesus and the Pope
Best Impersonation: Anna Dlugosz as Head Principal Mr. Barresi
As students grow from tottering toddlers in princess and fireman costumes to teenagers who choose to stay in or take their young siblings trick-or-treating instead, the Halloween costume contest allows them to enjoy the holiday without fear of looking immature or overdressed. It increases student morale and reminds them that whether you’re the one knocking or the one handing out candy, the holiday is for everyone. To all, stay safe, and Happy Halloween!
Be sure to check out this video of some costume highlights!
