Halloween is right around the corner and after the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic put a hold on Halloween celebrations back in 2020, students at Montclair State University are back to making plans.
From Halloween temples to costume contests and trick-or-treating, Montclair State is already getting into the Halloween spirit. Students are dressing up as characters from their favorite television shows and movies, and others, like Sophia Savino, a freshman psychology major, are counting down the days to spend time with friends on Halloween.
“I’m definitely going trick-or-treating with these two [Ivonna Smoljan and Oonmesh Palit],” Savino said. “I’m thinking about being a SWAT member [for Halloween].”
(Left to right): Ivonna Smoljan, Oonmesh Palit and Sophia Savino, who are all freshman psychology majors, can’t wait for Halloween to begin.
Lynise Olivacce | The Montclarion
With the growing popularity of “Squid Game,” the Netflix series has made its way to Montclair State this Halloween. On Oct. 29., Korean Club Culture and Language Association (KCLA) will be hosting a Halloween celebration on campus and has made “Squid Game” its theme.
KCLA Secretary Inna Urrego, a senior business administration and Asian languages double major, plans to make it a fun night for all.
“There’s going to be free food, free snacks and we’re going to [play] traditional Korean games,” Urrego Said.
Secretary of the Korean Culture and Language Association (KCLA), Inna Urrego, is thrilled to start off the new club with a “Squid Game”-themed Halloween event.
Lynise Olivacce | The Montclarion
Annie Guo, a freshman animation and illustration major, is part of the Japan Club and is volunteering at its Haunted Temple event on Oct. 29. Guo is thrilled to be participating and working with everyone.
“There will be scarers, [which are] people who scare others, and I’ll be the helper who sets up the props,” Guo said. “I feel like we have a community [here already], so, we can get to know each other and have fun.”
(Left to right): Annie Guo, a freshman and Salena Indarjit, a sophomore are both animation and illustration majors who are planning to go to the Halloween Temple on Oct. 29 hosted by the Japan Club.
Danny Livingston | The Montclarion
Giana Innocenti, a sophomore psychology major, is dressing up as a fairy for Halloween and plans to partake in activities around campus as well.
“I actually heard about the drive-in movie theatre and that ‘Coco’ [will be] playing [at the Village Apartments on campus] — I think I’m going to do that,” Innocenti said. “Or, possibly the Halloween costume contest [at Montclair State’s Ice Arena].”
Giana Innocenti, a sophomore psychology major, is dressing up as a fairy and can’t wait for the Halloween festivities to commence on campus.
Danny Livingston | The Montclarion
Innocenti also finds it exciting to finally be back on campus during the Halloween season.
“Considering this is one of my first times really on campus, it’s cool to see people doing things all the time and [events] constantly going on,” Innocenti said. “I love it. I think it’s really nice, especially after the [COVID-19] pandemic.”
Julian Luque, a freshman musical theatre major, is thinking about trick-or-treating and dressing up.
“On campus, I might go trick-or-treating — that’s something that would reinvigorate my childhood,” Luque said. “I’m definitely dressing up as Prince Zuko from [‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’]. I also think it’s great [Montclair State is hosting Halloween events]. It’s a good way of reinvigorating the spirit. I’m pretty sure last year was a big [bummer] for a lot of people, so I like that people are engaging with each other as a community.”
Julian Luque, a freshman musical theatre major, is thinking about trick-or-treating and dressing up as Prince Zuko from “Avatar: The Last Airbender.”
Danny Livingston | The Montclarion
One thing is for certain this year: students at Montclair State will not be taking the opportunity to celebrate Halloween for granted.
