Interviews compiled By Lauren Raziano, Copy Editor/Web Editor
Halloween allows students to get creative with self expression and dress up as whomever they want. This year students wore fun costumes both on and off campus. Taking inspiration from an iconic animated character, Kimiya Ehsan created her own versions of their costume by incorporating accessories and personalized items. Katherine Uffer, Rebecca Medina and Mian Ewen participated in the School of Science Halloween costume contest where they gave out gift cards for the top three costumes, as voted by school of science faculty and staff judges. Below are student responses.
Kimiya Ehsan, Junior, communications major
Featured Costume: Betty Boop and Alice from Closer
The Quadrangle: How did you decide what costume to wear this year?
KE: Halloween has always been my favorite holiday so I usually take to planning my costumes months in advance. My bunny costume this year was kind of a random last minute decision but Betty Boop and Alice I had wanted to do for some time.
TQ: Did you craft or make any cool unique items to compliment your costume? Makeup?
KE: I actually created the top for my costume of Alice, a character from a movie called “Closer.” I originally was going to buy a replica online but they weren’t very good quality. I really wanted to make something unique and this was the perfect opportunity to do so. I also pinned a dress into the skirt which I wore for my Betty costume, but that was just a random last minute decision.
TQ: What do you think is an important decision when choosing a costume?
KE: I think Halloween gives everyone the opportunity to fully express themselves in a way they may not normally feel comfortable. I really encourage people to choose a costume that makes them feel most aligned with their true selves, without fear of judgment. Honestly it really just comes down to whatever makes you happiest, but don’t be afraid to take a risk.
TQ: What is your favorite costume you ever wore?
KE: I’d have to say my favorite costume I’ve ever worn is probably a ladybug some years back because the makeup look was really fun to do. Although, I think Betty Boop might have topped that because I really liked putting my own spin on such an iconic character.
TQ: If you could wear only one costume for the rest of your life, What would you wear and why?
KE: Probably any character from the Craft, but specifically Nancy. She has one of my favorite character wardrobes ever and served as a huge inspiration for me from a young age in terms of developing my own personal style. Honestly, I’d be content with dressing up as her any day.
TQ: Do you remember the first horror movie you watched?
KE: It was either Psycho or The Shining. My mom is a huge Stephen King and horror fan so I grew up watching, as well as reading a lot of his work.
TQ: What is the best Halloween candy?
KE: I tell people Twix but it’s actually Almond Joys.
Katherine Uffer, senior, computer science and digital media art
Featured Costume: Her grandfather, former Manhattan College physics professor Louis Uffer
Katherine Uffer/ COURTESY
The Quadrangle: How did you decide what costume to wear this year?
Katherine Uffer: I chose my costumes for this halloween based on either the theming of the costume contest that I was participating in or the ease of compiling the costume out of things out of my closet. For the School of Science Costume contest, I dressed as my grandfather, and former Manhattan College Physics professor Dr. Louis Uffer. For the Singer’s costume contest, I went as a Target employee.
TQ: Did you craft or make any cool unique items to compliment your costume? Makeup?
KU: For my Dr. Uffer costume, I made a cotton ball beard and had to borrow a french blue button down out of my dad’s closet (it was my grandfather’s signature color).
TQ: How many costumes did you plan out for Halloween weekend?
KU: I didn’t have any costumes over the weekend because of my academic and open house obligations. Does “tired college student” count as a costume if I already am one?
TQ: What do you think is an important decision when choosing a costume?
KU: I think what’s important when choosing a Halloween costume is if you enjoy the character you’re dressing up as, and if you enjoy wearing the costume that you bought/made. If you’re not too crazy about a character, or your costume is uncomfortable to wear, then it isn’t a good costume for you.
TQ: What is your favorite costume you ever wore?
KU: The costume I had the most fun wearing was my dad’s Darth Vader costume in 8th grade. I went to a friend’s house for a Halloween sleepover and got to make everyone laugh with how little I could see in front of me.
Mian Ewen, Senior, Biology, minors Chemistry and Psychology
Featured Costume: Bruce Shockey, PhD., biology department
The Quadrangle: How did you decide what costume to wear this year?
Mian Ewen: Our group costume with fellow biology majors Ashley Delacruz, Doriz Yari, Brian McElligott and Ayanna Horsford was inspired by our biology professors here at MC. Over the years we’ve been able to predict their typical outfits/mannerisms and we rolled with it! I’m dressed as Dr. Shockey, Ayanna dressed as Dr. Machingo, Doriz dressed as Dr. Carfagno, Ashley as Dr. Nicolas, and Brian as Dr. Judge.
TQ: Did you craft or make any cool unique items to compliment your costume? Makeup?
ME: As Dr. Shockey studies paleontology my props included small toy fossils and dinosaurs. Additionally I wore glasses, cargo pants and hiking shoes, which are all things that Dr. Shockey wears religiously!
TQ: What do you think is an important decision when choosing a costume?
ME: I think the most important decision when choosing a costume is to have fun with it and especially not to really care what other people think. Even though you were copying something from a film/movie, your individual interpretation of it shines through. It allows you to be creative!
TQ: If you could wear only one costume for the rest of your life, What would you wear and why?
ME: Probably any one of Audrey Hepburn’s fits from Breakfast at Tiffany’s — iconic and classy for every occasion.
TQ: Do you remember the first horror movie you watched?
ME: “What lies beneath”- it remains to be one of my favorite movies!
TQ: What is the best Halloween candy?
ME: Reese’s peanut butter cups.
Rebecca Medina, Sophomore, Mechanical Engineering
Featured Costume: Walter White
Rebecca Medina/ COURTESY
The Quadrangle: How did you decide what costume to wear this year?
Rebecca Medina: Since the costume contest was science themed I wanted to choose something science related, but neither cliché nor predictable; then Walter White popped into my mind.
TQ: Did you craft or make any cool unique items to compliment your costume? Makeup?
RM: I wore a large hazmat suit and glued on a bald cap to the best of my ability and covered it (and my forehead) with concealer. I also put a bunch of blue plastic beads in a ziploc bag and carried that around.
TQ: What do you think is an important decision when choosing a costume?
RM: I think an important decision when it comes to choosing a costume is how comfortable the costume is to wear.
TQ: If you could wear only one costume for the rest of your life, What would you wear and why?
RM: If I had to wear a costume for the rest of my life I’d dress up as the Invisible Man. I feel like I would be rather inconspicuous.
TQ: Do you remember the first horror movie you watched?
RM: The first horror movie I watched was Coraline. That gave me nightmares for a week.