Every year on October 31, around Berkeley and throughout the country, excitement and elation fill the air. The day is like no other, magical in every way. Children run around their pumpkin-filled neighborhoods dressed up in adorable costumes, while their parents document every new piece of candy they put in their basket. Older kids, such as students at Berkeley High School, often spend time with friends or attend celebratory parties. Halloween brings an abundance of enjoyment in the form of costumes, friendship, tradition, and best of all, candy.
Halloween provides people with the creative freedom to dress up and express themselves in a unique way. Unfortunately, it isn’t necessarily socially acceptable to wear a costume in public every day, but luckily, on Halloween, wearing a costume is the expectation. Whether someone chooses to become a slightly altered version of themselves or a completely different person is up to them. The holiday is the perfect chance to push imaginative boundaries.
Although most of the time Halloween falls on a school night, students are able to make the most of the spirited holiday. Halloween is largely nonreligious and not very family oriented, so it is one of the only holidays that kids are unapologetically allowed to spend with friends. Though parties are many BHS students’ activity of choice, what each person chooses to do with the night is completely up to them. While some enjoy confronting their greatest fears in haunted houses, others would rather spend a cozy night in, watching movies and eating candy with their closest friends.
Some might argue that Halloween isn’t as fun as holidays like Christmas, where presents are often part of the tradition, but not everyone realizes how much stress presents can add to a holiday. Not only do people have to worry about whether or not their friends or family will appreciate their gifts, but the tradition is also financially difficult for many people. Halloween is much more accessible as almost everyone can make a great costume by simply looking through their closet.
Halloween is the one holiday where everyone is free to creatively expand their imagination, enjoy time with friends, and stuff their face with candy. BHS students have endless fun opportunities and activities to take part in this time of year. From trick or treating, to watching Halloween music shows in local amphitheaters, there are endless options. Students also have an extra special treat this year. With Halloween being one of the unity week days this year, students were able to dress up and show off their costumes at school. Because this holiday is not just for one religious group, BHS students are given the opportunity to come together as a community to celebrate the greatest holiday of the year.