Halloween Traditions Strengthen Spartan Bonds

Halloween 2024 stayed true to St. Stephen’s tradition of students, faculty and staff pulling out all the stops to make the holiday a memorable time on The Hill. The fun always starts the night before Halloween with the beloved tradition of campus trick-or-treating. Dozens of students and families across the St. Stephen’s community dressed up and went door-to-door in the residential faculty community.

This year, more than 20 faculty members, plus the Health Center participated by handing out candy between 7 and 8 p.m. Students were encouraged to visit every house, which entered them in a drawing for gift cards. By 7:30 p.m., Learning Services team member Eileen Wilson was out of candy. She has been handing out candy from her home on campus for the last six years, with the exception of the Covid years. She enjoys seeing International students stop by, some of whom are experiencing Halloween for the first time, and says the event brings together day and boarding students.

 

“I love it when I see day students coming onto campus and spending time here,” said Wilson. “It's awesome that they come and see where we all live, you know, things that they don't get to see during the school day.” She referenced a big group of about 30 6th graders who came by early in the night, and said a troop of parents organized the carpool to campus.

 

Annisa Chang P ‘31 was one of the 6th grade parents who experienced the St. Stephen’s-style trick-or-treating for the first time with her son, Dylan Chang ’31, who was among the group of 6th grade boys. Annisa says shortly after they arrived on campus, they ran into a group of 6th grade girls and the two groups combined forces.

“The kids were having so much fun and the staff getting involved—it was really cool,” said Annisa.

On Halloween day, a host of students and employees arrived in costume. From inflatable pigs and ponies to a 1920’s flapper, Danny Zuko from the movie "Grease," a group of fast food chain mascots and a group rock, paper, scissors costume, faculty and staff had as much fun as the students.

The Parents’ Association hosted the annual outdoor Middle School Halloween Party near Clayton and Spartan Gyms complete with food, music, a photo booth and a costume contest. Pumpkins lined the front of the Chapel in preparation for a newly introduced Upper School pumpkin carving contest.

Congratulations to students in the Ronquillo Advisory who took home the grand prize for their amazing pumpkin carving skills. Congratulations to the honorable mention, the Sallee Advisory group who painted a resemblance of Philip Doig, Upper School dean of students  Be sure to check out the photo slideshow to see a variety of creative costumes and pumpkin carving creations!