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Kids don't outgrow Halloween

Oct 27, 2008 - 04:05:17 CDT

By MACY EGELAND
Bismarck Tribune

Halloween is a holiday unlike any other. It is celebrated relatively alike by adults and kids, but in the space between, anything can happen.

Teenagers do a variety of things on Halloween that are sometimes far from the expected. On this day of mischief, some choose to make better decisions than others and make it a night to remember for all the right reasons.

This year's Halloween landing on a Friday changes things for some young adults. Since Halloween isn't a holiday that students get off school, in past years they have done something low key for their weekday Halloween celebration. Some have Halloween traditions like going to see a scary movie or a haunted house, and others stick to the ever-enjoyable trick or treating.

Bismarck High School junior Abbey Leier has done the same thing every Halloween the past couple of years.

"My best friend and I pick out an old, scary movie to watch on Halloween," Leier said.

While some high school students have outgrown the Halloween spirit, others remain completely on board. For some, seeing a teenager standing on their doorstep, open treat bag in hand, doesn't seem appropriate. But despite the "aren't you a little old to be trick or treating?" gestures, these high school students continue to parade around town collecting candy.

"I still trick or treat because Halloween is for everyone," Century High School junior Paul Murphy said. "It should be fun for all ages."

Some teens even take the time to make their own costumes. Century High School junior Braden Stevenson has been making his own Halloween costume for years. In the past, he has been things like Dracula and Frankenstein.

"I go to thrift stores to see what I can put together," Stevenson said.

He usually spends a couple days completing and perfecting his costume.

Then there are teens who take their Halloween to the extreme by not only wearing their costume Halloween night, but even to school.

"We don't discourage students to dress up as long as it's appropriate," Century High School principal Mike Heilman said.

Bismarck High School principal Ken Erickson said he feels the same.

"We don't promote it, but we haven't had an issue with it," Erickson said.

For those who enjoy a good scare, a haunted house has always provided just that. Some teenagers have even made a tradition of it. Bismarck High School junior Alexa Wachter goes to the Fort Lincoln haunted house.

"I've gone every year since I was in middle school," Wachter said.

The Halloween possibilities are endless and because of this variety, it proves to be among people's favorite holidays.

Whether they simply carve a pumpkin for the porch or decorate the entire house and everyone in it (pets included), people of all ages enjoy this holiday.

And why wouldn't they? Who doesn't love a reason to eat candy?

(Macy Egeland is a junior at Century High School. Reach her at macy.egeland@;bismarcktribune.com.)

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Comments

To kk wrote on Oct 28, 2008 12:14 PM:

" Wow - what a sad comment. Enjoy your life. You only get one. Let the kids trick or treat! "

LugiasPal to gracie wrote on Oct 27, 2008 11:37 PM:

" i have lived in bismarck for alongtime, i live in one of the older parts of town by the big white cathedral, north of washington street, past ave b and beyond, you can find some awsome houses decorated for the holiday, probly the best would be the one on the corner of ave b and washington st, that place is really well decorated for all holidays "

gracie wrote on Oct 27, 2008 3:16 PM:

" new to town...can anyone tell me where the good decorated homes are for Halloween. Would love to drive the kids around. "

Kate wrote on Oct 27, 2008 10:45 AM:

" No one is ever too old for Halloween. I think that everyone should go trick-or-treating as long as they aren't doing it just to get candy. I'm a freshmen and I know that my trick or trating time is short. It isn't because I don't want to, but because people will soon start to tell me I'm too old. But I've only just begun trick-or-treating. I don't know of anyone who lets small children go, sowhy can't tehy go as older kids? "

No Scrooge wrote on Oct 27, 2008 10:41 AM:

" I agree with 'dk'. I would much rather those older kids show up at my door than out drinking or vandalizing or something like that. I think in this day and age we force our kids to grow up too quickly. I don't care if they are in high school and have part time jobs and could go buy their own candy. Those kids could be out doing a lot worse. Let them have their fun. "

KK wrote on Oct 27, 2008 8:05 AM:

" Ummmmm, I hope teenagers don't show up on my door trick or treating. I don't want to be a Scrooge, but find something else to do. Trick or treating is for the little kids and if you want candy, go to the store and buy it yourself. "

dk wrote on Oct 27, 2008 7:53 AM:

" I think this was a very good article to put in the paper. I think Halloween is for everyone, young and old alike. I will not turn anyone down for candy that comes to my door. I would rather see the older kids out there trick or treating than out drinking ,doing drugs or getting into mischief. I know that too old comment was made to my kids when they went out trick or treating when then became older. Why should a age limit be set on Halloween trick or treating. Its all for fun. Go on out you bigger kids and have some fun. I'll be waiting for you at my door with treats. "

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