The CI View leadership team dressed up in their favorite childhood Halloween costumes
Graphic by Dani Ramirez
By Chelsea Grandpre
Every Halloween costume has a story, or a significant memory. Some costumes are remembered because of the time it took to put together, while others might have been very last minute. Some belong to childhood, when dressing up meant becoming someone different for the night. Other memories are tied to friends, family and moments that have lasted long after the costume was put away. This Halloween, The CI View team members look back at their most cherished costumes.
Kaylee Holsworth at age 13, dressed up as a Rubik’s Cube for Halloween
Photo courtesy of Kaylee Holsworth
Kaylee Holsworth, a senior English major with an emphasis in creative writing and The CI View’s Editor-in-Chief, took us back to reflect on her favorite costume. Holsworth dressed up as a Rubik’s Cube at 13 years old. The inspiration came from the show, “The Goldbergs,” set in the 80’s, where the main character dressed up as one. “I wore the costume probably four times to various events before Halloween, that by the time October 31 actually came around, I was so tired of wearing the costume that I didn’t even wear it trick-or-treating!” Holsworth shared. While some memories of the costume are funny, others are very fond to Holsworth. She reflected on making the Halloween costume by hand with her dad. She remembered how special the time spent making the costume was. The Rubik’s Cube now comfortably lives in her parents’ garage as a keepsake.
Sisters, Chase Grandpre at age six (left) and Chelsea Grandpre at age four (right), dressed up as Disney Princesses for Halloween
Photo courtesy of Chelsea Grandpre
Chelsea Grandpre, a senior communications major and The CI View’s Managing Editor, reflected on her favorite costume from her childhood. Her costume was Belle from “Beauty and the Beast” which she wore as a child around the age of four. The same year, her sister dressed up as Aurora from “Sleeping Beauty.” The two posed together for a photo, one that Grandpre holds close to her heart this day. “Every Halloween in my childhood, my mom used her ruby red blush on me to complete whatever costume I was wearing. It was her special touch that I can now remember forever,” Grandpre said. Although this Halloween was very long ago, Grandpre reflects on this cherished memory each year during the Halloween season.
Madelaine Brown at age ten, dressed up as Summer from “The Walking Dead” for Halloween
Photo courtesy of Madelaine Brown
Madelaine Brown, a senior studio art major and The CI View’s returning Media Editor, brought us back to her 10-year-old self, dressed up as a zombie from “The Walking Dead.” Brown talked about the memories of this costume and where the inspiration originated from. Her costume was Summer, the little zombie girl from the pilot episode of the series, which her family were big fans of. Her dad decided to put his special effects makeup skills to the test. “I remember the entire experience vividly. The makeup felt incredibly sticky and almost itchy as my dad applied layers of fake blood and spirit gum to my face,” Brown recalled. This specific Halloween came with funny memories that Brown reflected on. As she visited houses, the adults all had a good laugh at her zombie costume as a little girl. For Brown, this was her most memorable Halloween, dressed as a character from her favorite show, her dad adding the perfect touch and her little brother accompanying her dressed as Rick Grimes to complete the entire look!
Dani Ramirez at age four, dressed up as a witch for Halloween
Photo courtesy of Dani Ramirez
Dani Ramirez, a senior psychology major with a minor in art and The CI View’s returning Multimedia Manager, talked about her favorite Halloween costume she has had. Around four years old, Ramirez dressed up as a witch. She cannot recall all of the memories of this specific Halloween but remembered how much she disliked the silicone nose she had to wear to complete the costume. She remembered how fond she was of the rest of the costume though. “I really liked the hat, outfit and broom; I still use the hat for Halloween costumes now that I am older!” Ramirez said. She even won a Halloween costume contest with her witch costume. Ramirez has always loved Halloween and being able to decorate her house with all the artwork she did at school. As she has got older, her favorite part of Halloween has become watching all the spooky horror movies that she was not allowed to as a little girl.
Esmeralda Meckler at age three, dressed up as a fairy for Halloween
Photo courtesy of Esmeralda Meckler
Esmeralda Meckler, a sophomore psychology major on the pre-nursing track with a minor in studio art and The CI View’s Assistant Managing Editor, shared her favorite Halloween costume from when she was a child. Meckler dressed up as a fairy when she was three years old. Although Meckler has minimal memories of this Halloween, she revisited the moments of going trick-or-treating in Toluca Lake, Los Angeles, to get king-sized candy bars with her aunt and uncle. She also reminisced on how even though she has grown up, the fairy costume represents the little girl she once was. “I’ve always loved all things girly, pink, glittery and sparkly, and this costume captures that side of my personality perfectly. I may be older now, but deep down, I’m still that little girl who loves pink glitter, fairy wings, and anything that makes life feel a little more magical,” Meckler said.
As the years progress, every Halloween presents an opportunity to go back and reflect on all the memories that surround the season. Whether that be childhood memories or the stories we share with our friends and families, the spooky season has nostalgia written all over it. The CI View leadership team took a peek into the past by reminiscing on their favorite costumes, shared the memories they hold dear to their hearts and look forward to many more Halloween nights to come!
