Features

Voices on the Quad: Jaspers Take On Halloween At MU

Laili Shahrestani, Features Editor

Oct. 31 marks the spookiest day on the calendar – Halloween. Several Jaspers decided to celebrate the holiday by showing up to campus in their costumes. From animals and superheroes to fictional characters, students showed off what they are or will be planning to wear this Halloween. The Quadrangle spoke with students regarding their costumes, the inspiration behind them and their plans for the holiday weekend. 

Anna Schmidt ‘26, communication and sound studies double major

The Quadrangle: Are you planning on dressing up this year? If so, what will you be?

Anna Schmidt: I have many other costumes in addition to the one I am wearing right now. At the moment, I am Karen from Mean Girls. Later tonight, I’m going to be Beetlejuice. And then on Saturday, I’m going to be “fake news.” For that, I have a little bodycon newspaper-print dress, which I will write “fake news” on. Very “comm major” of me. 

Anna Schmidt pictured as Karen from Mean Girls. LAILI SHAHRESTANI / THE QUADRANGLE

TQ: Are you planning on purchasing your costume or making it on your own?

AS: I’m a big DIY girl, so I bought a bunch of pieces, but am then assembling it all on my own. 

TQ: How did you come up with the inspiration behind your costume?

AS: I was scrolling on TikTok, and was going through what movies came out and the trends, and I decided I’ll do Karen because she’s a classic. It was super easy, because I already had all the pieces. And the “fake news” idea I took from TikTok, which I just thought was super cute. And Beetlejuice, I’ve been wanting to be Beetlejuice for years. 

TQ: Can you tell me a little about your Halloween plans for the weekend?

AS: Well yesterday, we went to Coffee House. Tonight I’m just going to be at the local scene, frats and all that now that my friends and I are all 21. And I think tomorrow we are going to head downtown. So yeah, we have a little bit of everything. 

Daniel McWilliams ‘28, engineering major and Thomas Bonsignore ‘28, pre-physical therapy major 

The Quadrangle: Are you two planning on dressing up this year? If so, what will you both be?

Daniel McWilliams: Right now we’re both wearing something else, but my friend and I here are going to be Egyptian pharaohs tomorrow. 

Daniel McWilliams (left) and Thomas Bonsignore (right) pictured together on campus, wearing one of their many costumes for the weekend. LAILI SHAHRESTANI / THE QUADRANGLE

Thomas Bonsignore: Yes, we are going to be pharaohs tomorrow. But today for [track] practice, I’m going to be Magic Mike. 

TQ: Are you two planning on purchasing your costumes or making it on your own?

DM: We just bought our costumes this year. 

TB: Yeah, we bought the pharaoh costumes, but I actually did DIY a costume – except it’s at home.

TQ: How did you come up with the inspiration behind your costume?

DM: We just did a lot of thinking, and went through all the options, and eventually just came across this one and agreed to it.

TB: It was the easiest one.

TQ: Can you tell me a little about your Halloween plans for the weekend?

TB: We’re both just hanging out with our team for the most part. 

Shenoa Cedeno ‘27, psychology major

The Quadrangle: Are you planning on dressing up this year? If so, what will you be?

Shenoa Cedeno: Yes I am! I am going to be Tinker Bell. 

TQ: Are you planning on purchasing your costume or making it on your own?

SC: I bought my costume. Honestly, I wish I could make it on my own, but I just bought it off of Amazon. 

TQ: How did you come up with the inspiration behind your costume?

SC: The truth is I ordered it three days ago, and was just looking for something to come in on time. And it was like the only thing that would arrive on time. 

TQ: Can you tell me a little about your Halloween plans for the weekend?

SC: I’m going to a party tonight. It’s for my boyfriend’s best friend’s sister, and I’m excited.