Halloween, with its spooky thrills, sweet treats, and creative costumes, is a beloved holiday for many. 

Whether you’re dressing as a creepy doll, a gorilla, or something as amusing as a hotdog, this holiday holds a unique charm.

For some, Halloween is a family-centered celebration. P.E. teacher Kyle Whitcher, a father of two, described Halloween as a time to connect with his children and neighbors. His son dressed as a gorilla, and his daughter dressed as a creepy doll this year.

“My son is gonna be a gorilla from the movie ‘Planet Of The Apes’ because he’s obsessed with it,” Whitcher said. 

Witcher said he enjoys the decorations, the community spirit in St. Louis, and the chance to meet new people while trick-or-treating with his family, including their massive 100-pound Great Pyrenees dog. 

“We have a huge 100-pound Great Pyrenees dog we bring with us every year,” Whitcher said.

Halloween is also a meaningful time for Whitcher as it overlaps with the birthdays of both his father and daughter, adding a layer of personal tradition to the holiday.

“Halloween is also my dad’s birthday, so growing up it was like his birthday celebration/trick or treating,” he said.  

For freshman Ally Taylor, Halloween began when she was just two or three years old. Her childhood experiences were typical trick-or-treating around the neighborhood, and dressing up in fun costumes like Alvin from Alvin and the Chipmunks. As she got older, her perspective on Halloween changed. 

“I hate it when people ask for jokes because I don’t have it,” she said. 

She admits to liking the candy but she finds it frustrating when people ask for jokes in exchange for treats, a common St. Louis tradition.

Taylor talked about one memorable Halloween moment from her childhood when he got scared at a haunted house in her neighborhood. 

“I cried and ran out and got extra candy for crying because they felt bad,” she said. 

Each individual’s relationship with Halloween varies in terms of fear and excitement.

Freshman Maddie Criswell, who dressed as the Joker this year, remembers being terrified as a child when someone chased her with a real chainsaw while trick-or-treating.

“I was at a house and they kept chasing me with a real chainsaw,” Criswell said.  

Despite that frightening experience, she said she now looks forward to the holiday as a time to bond with friends and collect candy. 

Criswell’s story is a reminder that Halloween is as much about facing fears as it is about enjoying sweet rewards. 

“I get a lot of candy and it’s fun,” she said. 

Freshman Max Evans has a mixed attitude toward Halloween. He admits that it was more fun when he was younger. 

“I had more fun back then,” he said. 

He also loves trick-or-treating because of the candy, which remains a big draw for him, though he now focuses more on the social experience of going with friends.

Criswell recalls her favorite costume being Harley Quinn, a character that allows her to express her creativity while having fun.

For many, like Taylor and Criswell, the thrill of Halloween comes from the unexpected, whether that’s a prank, a good scare, or simply the creativity that comes with costume choices.