Ava Molenda

Contributing Writer

Attending Halloween costume parties, dressing up and having a wicked bash is not only reserved for children. University students do it too. Students at East Stroudsburg University are already preparing for Halloween 2026.  

“I’m not buying any costumes this year” said Patrick Smythe, a graduate student attending ESU. “However, I am attending multiple Halloween related events,” added Smythe, making room for those of us who aren’t really into the whole costume thing but love to celebrate and get together anyway.  

 “I do like Halloween and my favorite part is all the decorations,” Smythe said.  

 “I will be buying a costume this year,” said Sophie Rogers, an ESU graduating senior. “I will also be attending multiple Halloween events including haunted houses and other Halloween celebrations.” 

“I love Halloween and I’m very excited for it. I really love the haunted houses and watching scary movies,” Rogers notes her general excitement for the upcoming holiday.

Courtney Spence, a junior majoring in communication who also runs the social media for the school’s arts, noted that she is not buying or making a costume for this Halloween’s festivities. However, there are other plans that Spence has to make up for her lack of costume.  

 “My family and I are attending a Halloween party this year and we are possibly going to be hosting our own,” said Spence.

Spence is known in her neighborhood to have the best decorated house on the block, crediting her brothers for the help in buying and setting up the inflatable decorations every year for every holiday. There is no doubt that if Spence ends up hosting her own Halloween themed party this year that it will be a spooky celebration of fun. 

“My favorite part of Halloween has to be all the screams and boos,” she noted referencing the silly sounds people make while they are having fun celebrating the holiday by participating in multiple festivities.  Spence shared that she is super into Halloween, and that she is excited that the holiday is on the way.

While some ESU students will be celebrating this Halloween in a costume like Rogers, Spence and Smythe prefer to focus on the fun of the upcoming parties and other festivities.