Mia Li ’28, Commentary Writer

Elizabeth Schlatter ‘28 and Pia Padavano ‘28 on Halloween. (Photo courtesy of Newark Academy) 

Halloween is a unique holiday that embodies a blend of spookiness and fun, with celebrations marked by both joyous laughter and scary memories. For some children, Halloween presents the opportunity to dress up in elaborate costumes, while for others, Halloween means trick-or-treating with friends from house to house. Regardless, Halloween is a holiday associated with precious childhood memories. 

However, as we enter high school, some students might feel that the tradition of dressing up for Halloween is no longer as appealing. Growing up involves embracing maturity and taking on larger responsibilities, which leaves less time for hobbies and interests. As school work piles up, some students don’t have enough time to think about Halloween, and buying a costume may just be too much effort. 

Additionally, this period of transition puts an emphasis on developing a new identity, typically deviating from the childhood one. New interests and pastimes replace old ones, which start to be viewed as embarrassing or even lame. Rho Epstein ’28 stated that, “Everyone stops dressing up because no one considers it cool.” Trick-or-treating, especially, is targeted towards little kids, and teenagers may feel awkward standing next to a child half their age, ringing the doorbell to the same house. 

Losing interest in dressing up for Halloween may also arise from the inclination to fit in socially. Growing up, teenagers begin to become more aware of the social dynamics around them. This sudden consciousness and vulnerability fuels their desire to conform to the society around them, even if it means sacrificing a piece of their identity. Many high schoolers worry that their costumes will stand out negatively and be criticized by their peers. For example, the movie “Mean Girls” features a Halloween scene where the main character, Cady, shows up to a Halloween party as the only one that is truly dressed in a costume. Embarrassed and horrified, Cady suddenly feels like an outcast among the other girls. Cady’s experience highlights how many teenagers struggle with the fear of being singled out because of their costume.

In our own Newark Academy community, many students have also opted out of dressing up for Halloween. Only a handful of costumes can be seen around the Upper School, while the majority of students are dressed in their typical school clothes. The students who do dress up, though, remain enthusiastic and passionate about Halloween. After all, dressing up is not an opportunity that comes every day — giving students a chance to express a new aspect of themselves that others normally don’t see. Halloween can be seen as a chance to relive fond memories and provoke feelings of nostalgia, and some students believe that there is no age barrier to Halloween. Trishna Inampudi ’28 says, “No matter how old I am, I’m still going to dress up for Halloween because it gives me a chance to be free.” 

While the practice of dressing up for Halloween may be fading out, it’s important to look back on old traditions as we grow up. Halloween presents an occasion to explore identity and encourages confidence, as dressing up can be a powerful experience. Even if students don’t dress up, they can still enjoy Halloween in alternative ways, such as spending time with friends or participating in Halloween-related activities. At NA, whether we choose to dress up or not, we can still keep the spirit of Halloween alive by fostering shared excitement and celebrating individuality.