Canfield students get all dressed up to mark Halloween

October 29, 2011 at 12:00a.m.

by christine keeling

canfield

Canfield students continued a costume tradition Friday before classes.

The hallways of Canfield High School were filled with living statues, angry birds, toddlers with tiaras and a variety of other interesting characters, as students took part in the school’s annual Halloween dress-up day.

Michael Moldovan, the school’s ninth- and 10th- grade principal, said the event has occurred for at least 11 years and offers students a way to display their creativity.

“Traditions in themselves are important, if they are positive,” he said.

Visitors to the school could watch a game of ping-pong in the front lobby, corn hole in a side hall and a group of 15 girls dressed in shiny outfits and diapers strutting their stuff on a red carpet of mats.

“It’s the best day of the year,” said sophomore Mikayla Vaclav, who was dressed as a contestant from the TV show “Toddlers and Tiaras.”

The school takes safety seriously and asked that no props look like weapons or block hallways or exits. Good taste must also be implemented, and costumes can’t be sexually suggestive, offensive or alcohol- or drug-related.

“I have to compliment the kids and community,” said Moldovan. “We’ve been able to do this and have no issues.”

Senior Spencer Saylor, dressed as Santa, sat in a comfortable armchair next to a fireplace with stockings hanging from its mantle. Four elves scurried around the lavishly decorated living room, and students stopped to sit on Santa’s lap and have their picture taken by senior Sean Meditz.

“We all really love Christmas and can’t wait for it,” said Saylor. “So, we decided to celebrate it now.”

Mrs. Claus was roaming the halls, along with a boat full of Vikings, some Smurfs and a rafter heading to Miami.

The students spent about 30 minutes checking out one another’s costumes during the school’s morning Prime Time, the time teachers and students usually spend forming positive relationships with one another, said Moldovan.

Senior Jackie Cook said the day lets the “freaks” come out at the high school.

The students’ costumes will be judged by teachers throughout the day. Winners will have their photos placed on the school’s website.