“I think it’s really cool that I can dress up as whatever I want to school, especially since I really like my costume this year,” said sophomore Stefan Stankovich, who dressed up as a black cat for Halloween. “I’m pretty excited for this contest, I think I have a good chance of winning something.”

Taking place at lunch, the annual Halloween costume contest gives students at Clark a chance to give it their all, and think of a scary or striking costume that might catch the judges’ attention. With Halloween treats set aside for all participants, the crowd grew bigger as they waited for the contest to begin.

Contestants began walking across the stage, parading their costumes as the audience roared with laughter and cheers. “My inspiration was very mysterious,” said sophomore Hovik Movsisyan, who wore a mask of V for Vendetta. “Not only did people know who I am, but it also represented something which was a character from a movie that stood for freedom and justice. Freedom and justice are both things I believe in and donning a mask that represented both was a good idea in my opinion. Freedom Forever!”

The Halloween music in the background set the tone for the scariest night of the year while judges discussed the winners. As ASB member Kristin Khoudoyan got ready to announce the winners of the contest, the 21 contestants tensed up, waiting to hear the names of the winners. Honorable mentions went out to juniors Tony Petrosyan, Narek Mughetsyan, Allen Sotri, and Michael Tufenkchian for their bananas and gorillas ensemble; the audience and judges grew hysterical with laughter watching the gorilla, Sotri, chase the “bananas” around campus.

The crowd became restless with tension as they too waited to hear the names of this year’s winners. With third place going to Stefan Stankovich dressed up as “naughty kitty” and second place going to junior Liana Blkhoiah as “Littleloca”, the remaining contestants grew shaky waiting to hear the first place winner. Finally, first place was announced, as freshman Sebastian Vazquez took top prize for his “Monkey Business” ensemble that made the judges and crowd go crazy with laughter. Dressed as a monkey in a business suit, Vazquez threw candy to the audience as he paraded around the stage.