Halloween is on the horizon, and with it come different traditions, celebrations and festivities among students and staff. For some, it’s just another year of dressing up, but for others, it means way more than just going out in a costume. 

At Point Park University, there are a wide range of costumes, traditions and celebrations being planned for Halloween. From parties to trick-or-treating, there is no shortage of fun to be experienced. 

For some people, picking a costume for Halloween can either be the best part of the holiday or a daunting task.

“I feel like I’m really bad at picking Halloween costumes. but I usually go on Pinterest and look up what I’m feeling and look up cute costume ideas for what my idea would have been,” sophomore Giavanna Marino said. 

Not only do people celebrate by choosing their costumes, but some students also have their own ways to get into the Halloween spirit. 

Allysun Gillham, a senior dance major, said “I start just by thinking of things that have been inspiring to me lately or just things my friends want to do. Sometimes I’ll just look at my wardrobe and see what I can put together.”

Senior dance majors Kiersten Rossi and Kayla Beardslee said that they decorate their apartment, bake some pumpkin treats, and possibly get a specialty Fall drink from somewhere. 

Jenna Lo Castro, associate professor of PR/Ad and social media, gets excited about Halloween, as it’s very big in her house.

“We start decorating indoors and outdoors right after Labor Day and always have candy around the house – ​why wait until October 31st?” Lo Castro said.

Some of the costumes that will be a part of Halloween this year include Naja from “What We Do in the Shadows,” Josh from “Drake and Josh,” Anakin Skywalker and Princess Leia.

First-year student Laura Stanish is going as Naja, and her boyfriend is dressing up as Laszlo from the same show. 

Gillham is going as Josh from “Drake and Josh” and her roommate is dressing up as Drake.

“Our current idea is to go as Anakin and Princess Leia since we’re a couple,” Rossi said about herself and Beardslee.

Along with Halloween come spooky different stories. Rossi shared a spooky story of the “killer clowns” that appeared in 2016.

“One time when I was trick or treating with my friends in high school, we were the three blind mice, and she was swinging her cane around just to be goofy. Then someone in a bush caught the cane and threw it back at her, and the clown chased us up the street,” Rossi said. 

Despite Halloween just being a “spooky” holiday, it means a lot to people. 

“For me, Halloween is a very cozy time, which I know that it is not supposed to be,” Stanish said. “I love horror and I love being scared.”

Donald Brazier, lab associate for natural science and engineering, said that Halloween reminds him of Easter due to the change of seasons and that both holidays can either be too hot or too cold. 

Halloween and Fall are not just times of the year to some people. They can mean a lot and have a special place in someone’s heart. 

“My favorite thing about this time of year is the changing of seasons and the beginning of the holiday season,” Lo Castro said. “I’m a sucker for a cozy sweater and a hot drink.”