By Sydney Case, Staff Writer
As Halloween creeps closer, River Hill High School students are diving into one of the most spirited parts of the season, choosing the perfect costume. From classic fairy tales to pop culture icons, the hallways are buzzing with excitement (and a little bit of panic) as everyone scrambles to finalize their looks before the big day.
A popular approach to Halloween costumes is matching with a friend. Sophomores Fiona Devine and Shrina Desai have decided to be genies together. “I am so excited to get dressed up with my best friend, we’ve been planning our outfit for months and I’m excited to show people how it comes together!”
Junior Stacy Flores and her boyfriend have already locked in their couple’s costume, a timeless Disney duo. “I’m going to be Rapunzel and he’s going to be Flynn Ryder,” Stacy said, “I saw it on TikTok and thought it was perfect! I already have long blonde hair, and my boyfriend is a brunette!”
Others, however, aren’t having such an easy time deciding. Sophomore Olivia Creighton admitted that her costume planning didn’t exactly go according to schedule. “I waited too long to come up with an idea,” she laughed. “Now I’m just raiding my closet and deciding between being a mermaid or a vampire, whichever I can pull off with what I already have.”
For junior Khushi Patel, the problem isn’t a lack of options, it’s having too many. “I have two costumes ready: Cleopatra and Catwoman,” she explained. “I love both, but I only have one Halloween party to go to, so I have to pick.”
Even teachers are getting into the Halloween spirit. Mr. McCoy revealed that he and his wife are dressing up as “6 and 7.” “It’s a teenage joke,” he explained.
One teacher specifically is taking their costume creativity to the next level this year, making their outfits from scratch and adding personalized touches. The art teacher, Mrs. Appel, is wearing a skeleton body-suit to represent the American singer Phoebe Bridgers, “I’m going as Phoebe Bridgers, specifically her skeleton costume from her Punisher album,” she described. “I am even having my good friend, Mr. Cecil, take a picture of me with red lights to get the whole effect.”
Meanwhile, Mr. Clifford is heartbroken that he can’t join the costume fun this year. “I’ll be at a wedding that weekend, so no Halloween costume for me,” he said, clearly disappointed. “If I could dress up, I’d definitely be Alvin from Alvin and the Chipmunks. I love the spooky season.”
With the countdown to Halloween in full swing, River Hill’s students and staff are showing that no matter how last-minute or unconventional the costume, it’s all about creativity, fun, and a shared love of the holiday. The school’s hallways are sure to transform into a parade of ghosts, ghouls, and glitter. Whether planned for months or thrown together overnight, every costume tells its own story—and that’s what makes Halloween at River Hill truly magical.