OPINION BY KATIE GRIFFIN

Students at Wadsworth High School should be allowed to wear costumes to school on Halloween. A long term rule prohibits this, and it is now being readdressed by the principals.

Many students would like to wear costumes to school to celebrate Halloween, and  they believe that it would be a fun tradition to add to the school year. Even some staff members think the change should be made.

Wadsworth High School English teacher, Scott Callaghan agrees that students should be allowed to wear costumes. 

“I think we need to bring more fun to Wadsworth High School,” said Callaghan. “I still think you can learn a great deal, achieve excellence, and be a first class school, and have fun at the same time.”

Students are allowed to dress up for spirit weeks, so dressing up for Halloween should not be any different. As long as the costumes are school appropriate,it should not change the flow of the school day at all. The staff and administrators should be able to state what is appropriate for students to wear and enforce it in the same way they enforce the dress code. 

“If one chooses to dress up in a tasteful manner for Halloween, to have fun and to enjoy the spirit of the fall season, I’m all for it,” said Callaghan. “I think the key is mature decision making. We need to dress appropriately for school still.”

Wearing costumes to school on Halloween would be a fun tradition for students. It would bring excitement towards the idea of coming to school and doing something fun with their classmates. 

“I think so long as students and staff dress in a tasteful manner in the spirit of fun and creating new traditions, why not,” said Callaghan. “Some of our best memories were from elementary school when we got to have Halloween parties and Halloween parades.” 

Students’ individuality and artistic expressions can be shown through costumes. Adding  fun activities surrounding the costumes such as voting on the best or most creative costumes would encourage students to think outside of the box and express themselves. 

Wadsworth High School sophomore Hailey Harris agrees. 

“I think students could have a lot of fun with this,” said Harris. “A lot of students would like making costumes and being able to show their creativity.”

This tradition would be timeless and enjoyed by both students and staff. Anyone would be able to participate, and it could help to bring our community together.

Students could also find others with common interests. Wearing costumes to school brings a great opportunity for students to branch out and make new friends. 

“You never know,” said Harris. “You could find out that you have the same favorite show as the kid who sits next to you in class.”

If allowing students to wear costumes does not work out, it can be stopped at any time. If the rule is taken advantage of or is not working out for students, staff can make the decision to re-ban them. 

“I think there’s no harm in trying,” said Harris. “The worst that could happen is it not working out, and not being able to do it again next year.”

Students deserve a chance to prove that they are responsible enough to handle wearing costumes to school. This rule has been in place for such a long time and was not put into place because of the behavior of current students at WHS.