The Junto Halloween 2019 Just like Trick-or- Treat ...a day late. 1 Points of View The Junto Halloween 2019 Haunted History: Halloween Pia Mazzella ~ Contributing Writer We all recognize Halloween for the surplus of candy, crazy costumes and scares, but very few of us stop to consider where these traditions originated. According to BU Today, Americans are expected to spend 9.1 relatives. In the late 1800s, the idea of Trick or Treating evolved billion this year on Halloween supplies, such as candy, costumes, even more. The holiday became geared more towards children. and decorations. As a matter of fact, one quarter of all the candy Consequently, Halloween began to shed its religious connota- sold in a year has been purchased for Halloween. The real ques- tions in the twentieth century, although still remains a divisive sub- tion is how this eminent tradition came about? ject in some communities. Mainly, the tradition derived from Celtic paganism in the British The 1920s and 1930s sparked the Halloween party and get to- Isles and the feast of Samhain, based upon Regina Hansen’s gether celebration tradition. Communities would organize pa- studies, a researcher on the supernatural and literature. This rades and parties. Later, the Baby Boom influenced the interpreta- feast occurred in Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and some areas of Brit- tion of Halloween. Since more of the women population were hav- ain. Christianity also influenced the Halloween traditions. Novem- ing babies, Trick-or-Treating was seen as an inexpensive way for ber first is considered the celebration for Saints and October children to share and receive candy. From the Baby Boom till thirty-first was the Eve of Saints called, “All Hallows’ Eve.” now, Halloween has advertised itself to be the second most sig- nificant commercialized holiday. The American version of Halloween evolved during the time of the thirteen colonies. The ideals and traditions of the Europeans No matter how you celebrate, if you celebrate, Halloween has be- and American Indians combined to make up what Halloween is come a big business for costume shops and candy makers alike. today. An All Souls Day confection called, Soul cakes influenced Either way, it’s a fun way to usher in the “Holiday Season!” the beginning of trick-or-treating. In England, poor citizens would give the community soul cakes in return for prayers to their dead Six Sentence Horror Stories Students from Miss Hudak’s creative writing classes took inspiration from Stephen King and wrote their own (very) short stories. He told me, over and over again, that he loved me. When I heard scratching in the walls, I sus- Our favorite color was this dark, romantic color, a pected rats. It was my fault, really, that they symbol of our love. It was all over his shirt, splat- were there. I should have realized the bodies tered and artistically spread, while it was all over my would attract them. hands, angrily from my favorite object. - Gabriella Feltman - Branden Cunard In front of me a leathery, wrinkled figure that As I lay in a ditch somewhere deep in the seemed to be made up completely of dislocated woods, cold, stiff, and broken, my joints and pointed digits. Between us is its out- mother’s words are on the tip of my stretched hands, one pointing its long and jagged tongue. Breathing is difficult, the light is nail toward my lips and the other resting itself on slipping away, my school uniform is torn, the glass. Behind me is the end of this bottle, a and I cannot move. “Don’t take candy contained vessel where space is finite and yet from strangers,” finally comes to me. the sound of screeching glass can echo forever. 2 - Gabriella Feltman - Brian Avila Salazar Places The Junto Halloween 2019 Six Flags’ Fright Fest Branden Cunard ~ POV Editor This one is for all you scare-nerds out there. October is that the entrance) is crawling with zombies from the undead that time of year where you gather up a group of your friends, go were buried beneath the amusement park. Personally, out on a Friday night, and you somehow end up in a haunted Carnevil was my favorite of the bunch. The characters and act- corn-maze. Many people out there, including myself, get that ing were so phenomenal and scared the daylights out of me, satisfaction and adrenaline from visiting a haunted house, on top of the realistic makeup and outfits. You cannot escape corn-maze, or even an amusement park that has a Halloween from the thrills of being creeped out in this park. event. Six Flags Fright Fest definitely delivers a plethora of thrills and jump-scares. In terms of attractions that let you walk through them, there was a brand-new addition to the park this year, called Six Flags Fright Fest is an annual nighttime event that “Aftermath.” This was centered around a post-apocalyptic allows you to walk around the amusement park, ride the roller- world covered by monsters and radiation-affected people. coasters and flat rides, and experience many different areas Without giving too much away, you never know who or what dedicated to spooky attractions. By the way, I would not rec- is around the corner. My personal favorite attraction was ommend this to younger children unless they can handle get- called “Fears.” This one was the most intense, and by the title ting “up close and personal” with the actors. of it, the actors and machinery cover the most popular fears that resonate with humans. Spiders, small spaces, creepy Located around the park are sectioned off areas that china dolls, even clowns stalking you from afar, and then correlate with a certain theme called “Scare-Zones.” You sim- chase you through the rooms. Screaming and yelling in your ply cannot take a leisurely stroll without coming upon one of face, on top of watching fake spiders drop on the person in these creepy paths. You have “Carnevil,” which, as you can front of you, can lead to an intense, yet amazing experience. tell, it themed to a freaky circus. “Demon District,” on top of Those are just two of the eight walk-around attractions that having deformed demons lurking around every corner, is Fright Fest offers you, so don’t miss out on this wild event. mostly covered in this green, icky fog. “Lady of the Lake Cemetery,” allows you to walk amongst this eerie mist and Six Flags Fright Fest was definitely a SPOOKtacular come face-to-face with the souls that haunt the lakefront. event worth attending. Filled with frights, fears, and fascinat- “Bone Butcher Terror-Tory,” has a simple theme of relating to ing decorations, anyone should make it a priority to attend the the western-front. Last, but certainly not least, “The Bloody park during this time. You won’t regret it. Fountain” is located on Main Street (the main walkway from 3 Points of View The Junto Halloween 2019 “Trick or Treat, Smell My Feet,” This is What Our Staff likes to Eat In honor of Halloween and all of the candy we get on this frightful night, we went around and asked some of the most loved teachers in our school three candy related questions. The first one we asked them was “What are you planning on handing out this Halloween?” The second question we asked was “What is your all-time favorite candy?” The final question we asked them was “What is your least favorite candy?” Here is what they replied: Dr. Wascura Handing Out: Dum Dum Lollipops or Smarties Mrs. Zimmerman Favorite Candy: Butterfingers Handing Out: Assorted chocolates (Milky Way, Snickers, Least Favorite Candy: Black Licorice & Twix) Favorite Candy: Peppermint Patties Mrs. Peters Least Favorite Candy: Whoppers Handing Out: Mixed variety pack of Hershey’s chocolates and fruit snacks Favorite Candy: Reese's Peanut Butter Cups Mr. Spina Least Favorite Candy: Licorice Handing Out: Variety pack of Crunch Bars and Gobstoppers Favorite Candy: Kit Kats Mrs. Clark Least Favorite Candy: Nutter Butters Handing Out: “Whatever comes in the Giant pack” Favorite Candy: Milky Way Least Favorite Candy: Dum Dum Lollipops Mrs. Myers Handing Out: Keystone chips or candy with a toothbrush Favorite Candy: Fifth Avenue Bar Least Favorite Candy: Mr. Goodbar Miss. Hudak Handing Out: Variety pack of Hershey’s candy Favorite Candy: Classic Hershey Chocolate Bar Mrs. Soffera Least Favorite Candy: Smarties or any chalky candy Handing Out: Pack of mini Snickers, Twix, and Milky Way Favorite Candy: Smarties and Sweet Tarts Least Favorite Candy: Peppermint Patties Mrs. Daoud Handing Out: Mixed variety pack of chocolate, Miss. Egberts Starbursts, and Swedish Fish Handing Out: Pirates Booty Favorite Candy: Swedish Fish Favorite Candy: Kit Kats Least Favorite Candy: Candy Corn Least Favorite Candy: Butterfingers 4 Points of View The Junto Halloween 2019 Teal is the New Orange Mallika Pal ~ Contributing Writer Did you know that one in every thirteen children has a food allergy? Food allergies are on the rise, and unfortunately, there is nothing we can do to stop it. Even the tiniest amounts of food can be life-threatening for a young child. The worst part is Halloween. Tart can- dies, rich chocolates, and chewy treats are ridden with ingredients that many children are allergic to; peanuts, milk, eggs, and wheat are just a few. It saddens millions of little trick-or-treaters every year. Fortunately, a certain organization was created for this kind of di- lemma. The Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE) organization has created the Teal Pumpkin project to raise awareness and promote inclusion for trick-or-treaters with allergies.