Halloween is here — but a holiday that was once a vibrant celebration at Gabrielino High School has lost its spark. Each year, fewer students wear costumes to school. The spirit of Halloween is fading, but we can revive it by encouraging everyone to dress up and make Halloween memorable again.
When asked about the recent decline in costume participation, sophomore Andy Nguyen said, “If more students dressed up in their costumes, I would feel happier about wearing my costume to school. I would not feel awkward or out of place if everyone else was wearing a costume.” His response highlights the hesitation and embarrassment students feel when they are the only ones dressed up.
Many students may feel uncertain about wearing costumes to school. The mixed feelings of being left out or standing out too much can make students hesitant. They want to blend in — to feel like a fish in a school of fish. This is supported by a study from Psychology Today, which explains, “Adolescents are very easy to embarrass because this is the age of in-between, when one is no longer a child but not yet an adult, and can be criticized on both fronts for either presuming to act too old or for not acting old enough.”
Senior Jesus Sierra is not looking forward to Halloween costumes this year, expressing concern over strange costume trends like Labubu and other viral internet characters. He wonders whether this year’s costumes will be creative or just bizarre.
Although some students are not excited or feel awkward about dressing up, many students and staff are still looking forward to it.
Math teacher Bryan Chao shared, “I think students should bring their costumes to school on Halloween because it is just a holiday. Students should dress up so they will not get bored.” He reminds students that Halloween is simply about fun.
Senior Kary Au said, “I’m excited for the upcoming Halloween costumes. I’m mostly looking forward to seeing everyone dress up. Even though people say that dressing up is for kids, who is going to stop people from having fun and dressing up?”
Though some may say costumes are childish, Halloween should not be restricted by age. Seniors can dress as nostalgic references or humorous characters, young children can be cute animals — Halloween is a time to become whatever you want to be.
Senior Sunny Luu explained, “I think it’s fun if students wear costumes to school because it increases school spirit and tradition.” Wearing costumes encourages connection and school pride. It helps students bond over shared fun and recognizable characters.
While there may not be official studies about costume participation at Gabrielino, the excitement and sense of community created by dressing up is something students remember fondly. By encouraging more students to participate, we can bring that spirit back.
How can we help more students feel comfortable dressing up? One simple solution is to encourage friends to join in. Planning a group costume or just agreeing to dress up together can ease the fear of standing out. It boosts confidence and makes students feel supported.
Schools can also help by organizing fun Halloween-themed activities like costume contests, games, or friendly competitions. These events give students a reason to participate and help make the day more festive.
We encourage students to wear costumes if they would like to. Some students may not celebrate Halloween or may not be able to afford a costume — and that is completely fine. Those who do not dress up can still participate by cheering on friends, taking fun photos, or joining school activities. Everyone can be involved in some way.
At the end of the day, Halloween is a holiday meant to be celebrated with friends and laughter. Whether you go trick-or-treating or enjoy school activities, make the most of the day and celebrate it with spirit. A fun costume could be the thing that makes someone’s day, creates a memory, or ends up in the yearbook.
So wear your costume. Invite your friends to wear theirs. Celebrate Halloween with energy and spirit — and help bring back the tradition Gabrielino students will remember.
