Union University Residence Life hosted its annual Halloween party, Boo at the U, in the Bowld Student Commons at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 31. The Bowld gym was transformed into a spooky backdrop for the event’s haunted house, costume contests and pumpkin carving competition.
Boo at the U is one of many events Residence Life hosts during the year for the Union student community.
“It is important to create campus unity and have a sense of ‘Hey, we can have fun together, we can do something goofy together and share memories,’” Rebekah Ruth Basie, sophomore sociology and philosophy major and resident advisor of Ayers 2, said.
The haunted house, created and staffed by the Residence Life staff, was a favorite of many of the students. For those who did not want to brave the haunted house, there was food, music, photo booths and plenty of costumes to admire.
“My favorite part is getting to see the different creativity in all the costumes,” Basie said. “Particularly the group costumes because everyone’s personality comes together. You get to see their own creativity and the things that they enjoy and have common interests over.”
The costume competition was divided into three categories: individual, duo and group. Students displayed their costumes on the stage, trying to impress the panel of judges. Their presentations were occasionally disrupted by screams echoing from the haunted house on the second floor. Costumes ranged from Beetlejuice and “The Guardians of the Galaxy” to “The Lorax” and Beaker and Dr. Bunsen Honeydew from “The Muppets.”
The costume contests were an opportunity for students to show off their creativity and express themselves.
“I feel like Halloween is that one time a year where I can dress extravagantly and no one is going to judge me for it. They are actually going to come up and be like ‘Hey, that looks cool,’” Ailee Hogan, freshman pre-pharmacy major and winner of the individual costume contest, said. “I feel like Halloween is when you find out who are the nerds and the geeks.”
Hogan was dressed as Furina de Fontaine from “Genshin Impact,” one of her favorite video games to play with her sister. Her intricate and bright costume was her way of expressing her interests to others.
“I think Halloween kind of transitions into a different thing as you get older,” Hogan said. “When you are kids, it’s about getting candy, but as an adult, it is celebrating ‘This is a story I really like. This is a character I am inspired by or enjoy.’”
Rejecting the idea that Halloween and costumes are only for kids, Boo at the U gives students a chance to get in touch with their inner child and enjoy a night of silliness with their friends.
“In terms of it being more of a silly or childish thing, why is that seen as a negative thing?” Hogan said. “As we are transitioning to adulthood, there are obviously things we have to take more seriously, but it is also fun to get in touch with the child in you. Some of the coolest adults are the adults who know how to be serious when they need to be but then aren’t when they don’t. They just know how to have fun.”
