Most Hillside students celebrate Halloween, which is coming up on Tuesday, October 31.
Out of nine people surveyed, six said that they celebrate Halloween. Of these, only two feel that there should be an age limit to participating in Halloween activities (not limited to trick-or-treating). Twix, Reeses and Snickers are among the most popular candies. Dots and candy corn are the least popular candies.
“Yes, I do celebrate Halloween. I love to get candy,” said Sophomore Emily Perez Calderon.
Some other students in think that they are “too old” to participate in Halloween activities.
“I wouldn’t say I don’t celebrate Halloween, I just don’t have a reason to dress up for it. Now that I have a daughter, I’m sure it will change,” said English teacher Joshua Edwards.
According to a Good Housekeeping article from June 8, 2023, Halloween started in the 1840’s by the Celts, but the observance of Halloween dates back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. It originated in Europe, the holiday was brought to America by early settlers. On the 31st of October they celebrated Samhain, when it was believed that the ghosts of the dead returned to earth. People originally carved out turnips and placed candles inside to ward off evil spirits, but Americans switched from turnips to pumpkins. Celts believed that on the night before the new year, the boundaries between worlds of the living and the dead became blurred. It was believed that on this day, the souls of the dead returned to their homes, so people dressed in costumes and lit a bonfire to scare spirits away.
