Opinion: Halloween, A Trick or a Treat?

Photo from http://morguefile.com/archive/#/?q=halloween

Some people do not celebrate Halloween for different reasons. Do you think Halloween is a holiday that everyone should celebrate? Do you enjoy or dislike Halloween?

Every year on October 31 we celebrate a holiday which we call Halloween. People celebrate Halloween by trick-or-treating or through Halloween parties, wearing costumes, carving jack o' lanterns, lighting fires, watching scary movies and listening to frightening stories, playing pranks and visiting haunted attractions. These Halloween activities make some people like Halloween but they are also activities that puts others off the idea of Halloween.

I think it is reasonable not to celebrate Halloween, because some people have personal reasons or even reasons that they are not willing to share with people about why (or why not) they celebrate Halloween. Others can be superstitious about things like the black cat for example, and the idea of Halloween just scares them.

If you had to ask me, I think that Halloween is more of a fun holiday then any of the other holidays, and it is also personally one of my favourites. It is nothing compared to Easter, Christmas or Thanksgiving- we do celebrate those in candy or activities, but none are like the activities that we would do on Halloween.

I find that Halloween is also a holiday that attracts mostly teenagers than any other age group- at least the trick part does. As we all know, teenagers love to have a good time, and Halloween is the perfect time to have fun. For example, some people take things way too far, such as tormenting the elders in the village that don't mean any harm to anyone. Some older people do not enjoy Halloween because of this. On the other hand, little children treat Halloween as a fun experience where they can dress up as their favourite movie character and go get free candy. We all know this because when you say the word treat a million little children get over excited.

One way that we could get more involved in the positive ways of Halloween are the activity we have here at school called "Trick or Peas". It is a great way to get involved in the community, school and even just have a positive out look on Halloween. You go door to door and ask for canned foods that we can use at school to send to our Food Bank and feed people in need. To get more information on "Trick or Peas" you can go to our High School Student Council.

Some people take part in the Halloween spirit, and others don't. Myself, I don't usually dress up on a dress up day or Halloween because I don't really like costumes. Although I don't dress up, it doesn't mean I don't have the Halloween spirit, it actually is one of my favourite holidays and I just choose to not dress up. To get some other people's opinions for the Blackville Talon I asked some of my Kindergarten co-op class a question to see what their view on Halloween was. The question I asked them was "Do you enjoy or dislike Halloween, and why?" here is what they had to say:

Kiara Dunnett (KN)- "I like Halloween because I get treats!"

Dallas Curtis (KN)- "I like Halloween because I like dressing up. My favourite costume is the Hulk."

I think that if you like Halloween then you can still go out and have a fun time but just make sure you keep in mind to have respect for others. Particularly those that may be frightened or if Halloween just isn't their thing.

Have a Happy Halloween and also put your input into the Halloween survey on the Blackville Talon!

By: Ashton O'Donnell 

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Santa Visits Blackville School

Santa took some time out of his busy festive schedule to spread some holiday cheer at Blackville School on Friday morning, December 21.

Blackville School Remembrance Day Ceremony

High School Students Reflect on Remembrance Day

Halloween 2012 Viewpoint

Elementary Christmas Concert

Festive Celebrations

By Braden Coughlam

Before staff and students go home for the holidays, Blackville School has been very busy with all sorts of festive activities.

On December 9 the Blackville High School celebrated their annual Christmas formal with 90 in attendance. And on the 16th the middle school celebrated with 118 in attendance.

On Monday December 19 Blackville School held a Christmas concert, and on the morning of December 20 the annual Elementary Christmas concert took place, featuring Kindergarten to grade 5, with performances such as “Oh Christmas Tree” and “Deck the Halls”. Parents and members of the community were in attendance.

The middle school also put on two plays for the school and the community “Believe” and “A Mall and the Night Visitor”. More photos: Christmas program, Choir and Band, and Middle School Drama.

Student's Christmas Story to be Published in Local Paper

By Braden Coughlan

Blackville High School student Maddie Astle will be getting her Christmas story published in the Miramichi Leader. Her story is about a little boy whose father is in Afghanistan.

When asked what inspired her to write the story, she replied that it just kind of came to her.

She was very excited when she got the news because at first she thought that her sister had won the prize, but when she found out that it was her instead it made her that much happier.

Her English teacher, Mrs. Jennifer Underhill, is very proud of her.

Remembrance Day Ceremony 2011

Lest We Forget

Wreath Layers: Destiny McCormack, Abby Sturgeon, Gabryella Munn, Abigail McEvoy

By Nathalie Sturgeon

The sentiment “Lest We Forget” rang through the gymnasium of Blackville School on November 10.

Community members, school staff and students from every grade gathered to remember those who fought, died and survived.

The ceremony started with the singing of the national anthem by the Blackville Elementary Choir, followed by a welcome message by Blackville students Eden Lynch and Owen Underhill.

Rev. Jonathan McNair gave an opening prayer. The ceremony included many readings and songs performed by both Blackville Girls Choir and the Jazz Band.

A student from each homeroom class laid a wreath, along with various community groups and organizations. This was followed by the traditional two minutes of silence.

The ceremony ended with the procession of veterans and honorable guest. A reception hosted by the Culinary class was held afterwards.

For more photos from the ceremony, click here. 

Nathalie Sturgeon is a student in Journalism 120 at Blackville School. She can be reached at Nast00265@student.nbed.nb.ca

Halloween Party

By:Nathalie Sturgeon

Goblins and goons of all ages and sizes gathered at Blackville School for a Halloween fundraiser hosted by the Graduating Class of 2012. This Halloween party has been a tradition at Blackville School for at least 30 years.
Two parties were held that evening, a kindergarten to grade three and a grade four to five. 220 elementary students were in attendance. A variety of games were enjoyed by the students.
A middle school dance was also held that evening, 120 students were in attendance.

For more pictures from this event, click here.

Blackville students celebrate National Flag Day

Students from Blackville School celebrated National Flag Day on Wednesday, February 16. Click here to read more and click here for more photos.

How will you remember?

Students and staff of Blackville School joined many community members for the annual Remembrance Day Ceremony at the school on Wednesday, November 10. Following the ceremony, special guests, including veterans, were invited for a luncheon hosted by the Culinary 110 class. Shown here is Grade 11 student Cory Keenan serving tea and coffee to World War II Veteran Corporal Joyce Fortune and Blackville Fire Chief Garth Underhill. For more photos from the ceremony and luncheon, click here.

Photo by Alejandra Leon de Gante

Ghost, Ghouls and Goblins

Middle and high school students from Blackville High enjoyed a Halloween dance on Thursday night, October 29. To see more photos from the dance, click here.
Meanwhile, the Graduating Class of 2010 hosted Halloween parties for the elementary students in the early evening of October 29. To see photos from the parties, click here.

Grade 4 Student Wins Earth Day Contest

Grade 4 student Jules Keenan (fourth in front row from right) poses with her classmates and displays her new prize, an Ipod Shuffle. Jules won first prize in an Earth Day Contest and her classmates also received recognition for their efforts. For more information, click here.

Valentine's Day Sculpture?

Members of the High School Boys Hockey Team attempt to create a dance sculpture during the Blackville High School Valentine's Day Dance on Thursday, February 11. Proceeds from the dance went to the hockey team. To see more photos from the dance, click here.
(Photos by Dolan Brophy)

Remembrance Day Ceremony held November 10

The students and staff of Blackville School held a Remembrance Day ceremony on Tuesday, November 10. Local veterans and other community members attended the ceremony. After the ceremony, the veterans and other guests were invited to a luncheon which was hosted by the Culinary class. To see more photos from the ceremony and luncheon, click here.
In photos above: Amber Walls lays a wreath for one of the Kindergarten classes. Grade 11 student Alora Brophy serves veterans and other community members at the luncheon held after the Remembrance Day Ceremony.
Photos by Dolan Brophy