![“[Building nerf blasters] became this outlet of creativity for me that hasn't been matched by anything else. The process [of] making a build complete to your desire is such a painstakingly difficult process, but I've had to learn from [the skills needed from] soldering to proper painting. There's so many different options for everything, if you think about it, it exists. The best part is [that] if it doesn't exist, you can build it yourself," Ishaan Parate said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/DSC_8149-900x604.jpg)
![“When I came into high school, I was ready to be a follower. But DECA was a game changer for me. It helped me overcome my fear of public speaking, and it's played such a major role in who I've become today. To be able to successfully lead a chapter of 150 students, an officer team and be one of the upperclassmen I once really admired is something I'm [really] proud of,” Anvitha Tummala ('21) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-25-at-9.50.05-AM-900x594.png)
![“I think getting up in the morning and having a sense of purpose [is exciting]. I think without a certain amount of drive, life is kind of obsolete and mundane, and I think having that every single day is what makes each day unique and kind of makes life exciting,” Neymika Jain (12) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Screen-Shot-2017-06-03-at-4.54.16-PM.png)
![“My slogan is ‘slow feet, don’t eat, and I’m hungry.’ You need to run fast to get where you are–you aren't going to get those championships if you aren't fast,” Angel Cervantes (12) said. “I want to do well in school on my tests and in track and win championships for my team. I live by that, [and] I can do that anywhere: in the classroom or on the field.”](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/DSC5146-900x601.jpg)
![“[Volleyball has] taught me how to fall correctly, and another thing it taught is that you don’t have to be the best at something to be good at it. If you just hit the ball in a smart way, then it still scores points and you’re good at it. You could be a background player and still make a much bigger impact on the team than you would think,” Anya Gert (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AnnaGert_JinTuan_HoHPhotoEdited-600x900.jpeg)
![“I'm not nearly there yet, but [my confidence has] definitely been getting better since I was pretty shy and timid coming into Harker my freshman year. I know that there's a lot of people that are really confident in what they do, and I really admire them. Everyone's so driven and that has really pushed me to kind of try to find my own place in high school and be more confident,” Alyssa Huang (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AlyssaHuang_EmilyChen_HoHPhoto-900x749.jpeg)
School has ended, but the best part of Halloween has not started yet: Trick-or-treating. This is your one chance to go all out, and a do-it-yourself costume is the perfect way to do so.
There are a variety of different subjects you can choose to dress up as. You can exhibit your artistic abilities, show off your wit with catchy phrases, express your undying love for a TV show, or make anything else to express your individualism. You can also decide for yourself how much time and effort you want to invest in your costume.
Many costumes that may seem easy and quick can take longer than expected if you do not know how to use your supplies and tools correctly. Buying a costume can take a significant amount of time, but making your own can use significantly more. When making your own costume, your choices are everything; color, sizing, and design are entirely under your control.
If you have ever wanted to wear a costume of something that was too obscure to find in stores or did not have your size, homemade costumes are your perfect solution. Since materials are easy to attain either through craft stores or old clothes, you can make your costume without having to wade through rows upon rows of aisles at the mall.
Eccentric costumes do have a negative side, though. Costumes that may seem obvious to you may not be so clear to your peers, and costumes that are hard to explain will warrant constant interrogation. If people stare at you in confusion every time they open the door, it might actually seriously hurt your candy tally for the night.
While many people use do-it-yourself costumes as a chance to express their creativity, others use it as an chance to not wear a costume. Taping the word “pumpkin” or “costume” to a shirt is an unspirited excuse to not wear a costume. The average cardboard box has been taken to amazing heights, but I have also seen enough “Harker student” costumes for a lifetime.
Homemade costumes are nearly always less costly to make. While a store-bought costume usually costs at least $30 or more, do-it-yourself costumes can often use your old clothing that no longer fits you. Even if you do not want to tear up your outgrown clothes, materials like felt and cardboard are easy to come by and inexpensive.
Cardboard, paint, and felt are not only cheap, but they are also varied in size, color, and quality, giving you a plethora of choices when you make your costume.
Halloween costumes are an area of concern for many, and do-it-yourself costumes are a perfect solution for creative people who can spend the time and effort to make their own disguise.
