The Mycenaean

Candy, jack-o-lanterns, and spooky monsters are just a few of the things that immediately come to mind when one thinks about Halloween. The holiday is known for tons of mischief and scare tactics, a theme many homeowners use in their exterior house decorations.

Leesville students, with most holidays, take the spirit to the next level. Halloween is no different for the Loonies.

At Leesville, Halloween is a common topic that is discussed about all throughout October. Parties shape a good idea of what Halloween is to many high schoolers across the nation, costume or not. Whether it’s loud and raucous or calm and relaxed, Halloween parties are a fun activity for many students. “I can get a night where I can pretty much dress up as anything, and act as stupid as possible, and I don’t get any repercussions,” said Luke Hesla, a sophomore at Leesville.

Trick or treating is a common memory among students at Leesville. Many enjoyed the fact that for just dressing up in a costume of their choice, and stating 3 simple words, candy was handed to them. By the end of the night, pillowcases were stock full of candies, and kids were set with candy until Christmas.

Halloween also brings together families to create funny and exciting memories. Some families may go to a certain spooky location every year, create a fun pumpkin design together, or hand out candy together. Traditions that are kept every year for the scariest holiday of the year, are ways to help bring the family together. On the other hand, there are traditions that are simple and a fun time. “[Every year] we dress up, then drive up to my family, about 3 hours away..  and we just go trick or treating,” said Riley Houser, a sophomore at Leesville.

One of the well-known traditions of Halloween is carving pumpkins into Jack-o-lanterns. People carve their own design into the pumpkin, place a light in it, and put it out on their front porch for those passing by, who can look at and enjoy the pumpkin. Pumpkin carving is a fun activity for families celebrating Halloween, no matter what the design looks like. 

Lots of people can use their creative minds into their designs of their Jack-o-lanterns. Many designs are customized to the household’s thoughts and wants on the pumpkin. The final forms of the pumpkins usually draw in people to their front yard, just to view it.

Even the most straightforward designs intrigue those who view Jack-o-lanterns. “One year I had the English Premier league, the arsenal, gunner symbol, so that was cool,” said Paul Hock, a senior at Leesville. Hock continued to list some of his favorite pumpkin designs over the years, some of which included a deer, Chewbacca, and a Star Wars character.

Due to high-schoolers older age, trick or treating becomes a less popular activities for students. However, for those who don’t want to miss out on a fun time during Halloween, haunted houses and attractions such as Panic Point are available for thrill seekers.

Panic Point provides many different opportunities scare guests including a hayride or a walk in the dark. It is a popular spot for Leesville students, many of whom go back every year for a fun experience. “Panic point has always had its general haunted trails and scary hayrides, yet every year they give you a new reason to scream,” said Sonnet House, a sophomore at Leesville, and a commoner at Panic Point.

Whether it’s a haunted house or attraction, dressing up in costumes and getting candy, or enjoying the holiday with family, Halloween at Leesville is in the air and has taken full effect over October.