By Eduardo Zermeno in College Days, Student Life on October 30, 2023
Halloween buzz is taking over campus students as they share spooky outfits and wacky stories
Ripon College is starting to feel fall in the air as the breeze is stronger and the leaves change color. Along with the change in scenery, Halloween is starting to fill the dorms as people begin plotting their costumes and decorating doors. To get a glimpse into this year’s spooky season, a couple of students offered insights into their Halloween plans.
Additionally, a variety of activities will be held by different clubs around campus; these activities include Trivia in the Spot and a movie night hosted by SPC.
Bri Cyr, director of Student Activities and Orientation, is looking forward to this year’s all-new “Hallo-week”, which runs from Oct. 22 to 31. Cyr explained that she is excited about the new additions to this year’s Halloween activities and hopes they will make Ripon special.
“Everybody gets so excited and it’s high levels of participation so it’s really great to see everybody collectively is really invested in having fun together,” she said.
Students of all years are looking forward to what this year’s Halloween season has to offer and they gave their thoughts about the different aspects of Halloween.
Tyler Hebein, freshman, expressed his excitement for Halloween now that he is in a different environment and revealed his costume.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing how the decorations look around campus. I’m also really looking forward to dressing up as Michael Myers. It’s my favorite classic horror movie,” he said.
Rylin Magnusson, a freshman, gave insight into their costume for this year.
“I’m going as Raven from Teen Titans because a group of us are doing DC characters,” they said.
Magnusson also shared their most memorable Halloween experience.
Jamar Thomas, junior, dressed as Bob Ross during his senior year of high school. Photo Courtesy of Jamar Thomas.
“Last year, which was my first Halloween, I went trick or treating with my friends and dressed our dogs up. Some old man yelled at us while we were walking down the street and told us we were too old to be dressing up,” they said.
Jamar Thomas, junior, explained he is torn between two iconic and creative costume outfits.
“I have two big options: one is Max dressed as Powerline from ‘A Goofy Movie’ and the other is Prince. It might come down to me flipping a coin, it’s that close between the two,” he said.
Thomas also shared what his favorite costume was growing up.
“I had to have dressed up as Bob Ross at least five times. That was always my go-to. I had the palette, the curly fro, and the button-up. It’s always been Bob Ross for me” he said.
Thomas also recounted a Halloween story that is likely to give the chills.
“Back in Houston, me and my brother walked with my little twin cousins into some rich neighborhoods. There was a house with someone sitting in a chair holding a basket. My niece ended up reaching to grab candy from the basket and the person ended up throwing the bowl and picking up my niece. Something really funny became something super scary so fast,” he said.
Simon Friskney, freshman, on right, dressed up as a character from the reality TV show, Duck Dynasty. Photo Courtesy of Simon Friskney.
Simon Friskney, a freshman, also recounted his favorite costume as a child.
“When I was a kid, I remember dressing up as the guys from Duck Dynasty. I was around 8 years old and I remember having the beard, the flannel, the boots, everything. It was probably my favorite Halloween ever,” he said.
As Ripon College gets further into the autumn swing of things and colors change, students start gearing up for Halloween. The buzz and excitement around this year’s parties and activities are growing and gaining attention. So get out there Ripon and enjoy Halloween week to the fullest. Hebein, a freshman, said that “he can’t wait to finally be a part of a larger community with a new tradition.”