Infographic: Halloween
An infographic shows facts about the history, traditions and celebrations of Halloween. Halloween originated from the Celtic festival of Samhain and has developed with influences from the Romans, the Catholic Church and Ireland. Graphic by Lydia Rowell
Menu Editor Lydia Rowell shares facts about Halloween in honor of its celebration on Oct. 31.
Hot Topic: Five DIY Halloween costume ideas
A graphic shows five DIY costume ideas for Halloween. Viewpoints Staffer Sara Stuart described how to make costumes such as a clown and black cat with simple household items. “Wrap your shoes in duct tape and paint them red to make them seem more oversized. For your makeup, use white face paint over your entire face for a pale look and use red on your nose to create a clown nose,” Stuart wrote. Graphics by Sara Stuart
Viewpoints Staffer Sara Stuart shares five DIY Halloween costume ideas.
Review: “Alchemy of Secrets” by Stephanie Garber
The cover of American author Stephanie Garber’s newest release, “Alchemy of Secrets” is shown. The novel, which was released to all bookstores on Oct. 7, follows protagonist Holland St. James as she reveals secrets and the magical world underlying Los Angeles. “Holland encounters new people, making it so the reader doesn’t know who to root for, and quickly uncovers lies about those closest to her, all while trying to save her life. The multitude of plot twists make “Alchemy of Secrets” extremely fast paced and an instant page turner,” Viewpoints Editor Isabella Gresham wrote. Photo fair use of Goodreads
The fantasy novel “Alchemy of Secrets,” written by American author Stephanie Garber was released on Oct. 7 and offers a fast-paced immersive read for all fantasy lovers.
Looking for secrets, legends and myths?
“Alchemy of Secrets,” released on Oct. 7 and written by American author Stephanie Garber, is full of all three.
The novel follows main character Holland St. James after she takes a class titled “Folklore 517: Local Legends and Urban Myths” taught by a mysterious woman who goes by “Professor.” She teaches countless magical stories that seem nothing short of fiction, but Holland believes every word. One particular myth being the “Watch Man,” who supposedly tells people exactly when they will die. After coming into contact with him, he tells St. James she will die at midnight the next day unless she finds an unknown mystical object: the Alchemical Heart.
On the hunt for the object, Holland encounters many new people and quickly uncovers lies about those closest to her, all while trying to save her life. The multitude of plot twists make “Alchemy of Secrets” extremely fast paced and an instant page turner. However, the large number of characters can make it hard for readers to know who to root for.
An Instagram post of American author Stephanie Garber posing with her new release “Alchemy of Secrets” is shown. The adult fantasy novel was released on Oct. 7 and provides an engaging fantastical world, leaving readers wanting more after each chapter. “While (“Alchemy of Secrets”) is set in Los Angeles, the novel includes multiple magical objects and different ‘abilities,’ which draws the reader in and leaves them curious about how the fantastical world works,” Viewpoints Editor Isabella Gresham wrote. Post fair use of stephanie_garber
While it is set in Los Angeles, the novel includes multiple magical objects and different “abilities,” which draws the reader in and leaves them curious about how the fantastical elements work. With the usage of a typical American city along with fantasy elements, Garber sets up the aesthetic flawlessly, describing different magical components with a precision that makes them easy for the reader to envision.
The multitude of plot twists make “Alchemy of Secrets” extremely fast paced and an instant page turner.
The novel is best for those who enjoy fantasy and want a quick and highly engaging read. However, those who find any myth hard to believe and don’t love pure fiction should stray away, as the book is extremely unrealistic. Furthermore, it has many acts of violence despite not being a horror book, which at times can seem slightly out of place.
“Alchemy of Secrets” is an absolute page turner and incredibly hard to put down, making it an ideal fantasy novel for the fall and winter seasons.
A tribute to trick-or-treating
Beat Editor Izzy Hammock (right) poses with her father, Tra (left), in their neighborhood on Oct. 31, 2013. The Hammocks have committed to dressing up for Halloween for more than 10 years of Izzy’s life. “Over the years, Halloween has grown to become more than just a holiday to me,” Izzy wrote. “It’s a tradition that’s acted like the glue in my family for many years of my life, and most definitely will for years to come.” Photo courtesy of Liz Hammock
Beat Editor Izzy Hammock reflects on how trick-or-treating has unified her family over the years.
On the chilly evening of Oct. 31, 2013, I could be found running around my neighborhood in a tiny parrot costume, giggling and waving my fuzzy pumpkin trick-or-treating bag to each household on our street.
Behind me were my parents, dressed in pirate costumes and smiling tiredly at my chocolate-covered face. As the years have gone by, they’ve continued to accompany me each Halloween night, even as I’ve gotten older over the years.
Beat Editor Izzy Hammock (top), poses with her father, Tra (front left) and her sister, Charlotte (front right) on Oct. 31, 2021. Izzy’s sister was born in 2015 and quickly became a participant in the family’s Halloween celebrations. “Along with being just a fun routine, my family’s Halloween has grown with us,” Hammock wrote. “Like in 2015, when my little sister was born and we were able to expand our repertoire of costumes to four-person groups.” Photo courtesy Tra Hammock
Like many other families, mine likes to go all-out when celebrating the spooky season.
Every year since I could walk, my parents, little sister, Charlotte and I have planned an elaborate group costume and gone trick-or-treating together. While our chosen costumes have varied from “Clue” to “Looney Tunes” characters and everything in between, the sentiment and tradition remain steady after over 10 years of spooky shenanigans.
However, along with being just a fun routine, my family’s Halloween has grown with us. Like in 2015, when my little sister was born and we were able to expand our repertoire of costumes to four-person groups.
When COVID-19 isolated the world and interrupted several of our family traditions, we were still able to celebrate Halloween by putting on our own candy scavenger hunt in our backyard and baking creepy-looking chocolate cakes.
When the Halloween lights steadily disappeared from my neighbors’ windows as their kids grew old enough to think that trick-or-treating was uncool, we were determined to continue the tradition that had been a staple of the Hammock family for so long.
When the Halloween lights steadily disappeared from my neighbors’ windows as their kids grew old enough to think that trick-or-treating was uncool, we were determined to continue the tradition that had been a staple of the Hammock family for so long. In the end, we found festivities in other parts of Athens such as Historic Boulevard and the Wild Rumpus.
Over the years, Halloween has grown to become more than just a holiday to me. It’s a tradition that’s acted like the glue in my family for many years of my life, and most definitely will for years to come.
Gallery: CCHS Trunk or Treat
Athens community members attend the Clarke Central High School Trunk or Treat in the CCHS Bus Loop on Oct. 28. For the event, which was held from 5-7 p.m., Members of various CCHS clubs and organizations dressed up in costumes, and set up their trunks with decorations, games and candy. “Trunk or Treat is absolutely amazing. I think it’s great to see the community come out. It’s a family event, so to see all the kids come out and just kind of have a good time, where it’s a safe place for them to come and have a great time,” Tonia Jones, CCHS Graduation Coach and junior varsity football and basketball cheerleading assistant coach, said. Photos by Iliana Tejada
The annual Clarke Central High School Trunk or Treat was held in the CCHS Bus Loop from 5-7 p.m. on Oct. 28.
“Little Monsters” Book Club preview
Clarke Central High School Media Specialists Naomi Craver (left) and Angela Pendley (right) stand outside of the CCHS School Media Center on Sept. 9. Craver and Pendley came up with the idea to create the CCHS Book Club as a way to help students be more eager to read in a welcoming and attainable way. “I don’t really remember us sitting down and having a conversation about (book club). It just very organically happened. It was like, ‘We’re gonna do this,’” Craver said. “Once we decided to do it, we really focused on, ‘How can we do this in the best way possible that’s gonna be accessible, meaningful and get people excited about reading? ”Photo by Sara Stuart
On Oct. 31, the CCHS book club will hold its first meeting of the 2025-26 year in the Media Center, featuring the young adult book “Little Monsters” by Kara Thomas.
Clarke Central High School Media Specialists Naomi Craver and Angela Pendley will host the first meeting of the CCHS Book Club on Oct. 31 in the CCHS Media Center for the book “Little Monsters” by American author Kara Thomas.
Students from all grades filled up spots for the October meeting, which was made available via email on Aug. 28 as a way for anyone to get a chance to join, helping to build the community of the club.
“Book Club is one of my biggest joys in life. It is about building community within our school, building literacy within our school (and) really just building fun around reading,” Pendley said.
“When we do Book Club, we do it big, so the students all get to keep a copy of the book. We also like to wrap it up in really fun ways and make it special.”
— Naomi Craver,
CCHS Media Specialist
“Little Monsters” by Kara Thomas is a young adult thriller about a girl uncovering mysteries in her new town, which was picked to fit the spooky mood of the fall season, specifically Halloween.
“We’re excited about (the Book Club getting together) because we really wanted to do a Halloween book for (October).” Craver said. “And when we do Book Club, we do it big, so the students all get to keep a copy of the book. We also like to wrap it up in really fun ways and make it special.”
Pendley and Craver have seen an increase in the amount of student involvement in the club, something Craver attributes to greater knowledge of its existence.
“The excitement around it has been (a) really, really big difference from last year. Not that people weren’t excited about it last year, (but) I think it was unexpected, and now people are expecting it. So, there’s some excitement around it that feels different from last year,” Craver said.
Personal Narrative: Redefining the future
Managing Editor Peter Atchley’s “Personal Narrative” graphic is shown above. Reading tarot has helped Atchley ground himself and reflect on where he needs to improve, providing a place to process self-improvement. “Tarot isn’t about calling out to dead relatives on All Hallows’ Eve for spiritual guidance. It’s about grounding techniques and messages from the universe,” Atchley said. “It taught me the belief that you can’t change the future, but you can always change your outlook and approach.” Graphic by Lea D’Angelo
Managing Editor Peter Atchley shares why he loves reading tarot and how it helps him reflect on himself in times of uncertainty.
Hi, I’m Peter Atchley. I am a senior at Clarke Central High School and the Managing Editor of the ODYSSEY Media Group. For the past few years, OMG writers have explored writing personal narratives. These essays discuss how a specific event in a person’s life has shaped them. This is my personal narrative: “Redefining the future.”
When people hear that I read tarot cards, the first thing that comes to their minds is normally something along the lines of outdated expectations.
They think of me and my coven of witches chanting ancient spells and standing around a cauldron bubbling with evil brew and frog feet, opening a door to the underworld where my demonic brethren call out signals of the future.
But that isn’t the reality.
I just calmly sit down somewhere like my desk, get my cards out, and shuffle them until every card is well-mixed. It’s my means of grounding and self-reflection, not some demonic practice.
I first encountered tarot in seventh grade when my friend bought me a deck that was cat-themed. At first, I thought it was just a gag gift, a fun tchotchke. But, after my friends encouraged me to try it out and give them a reading, I fell in love. My tarot-card-reading abilities made me feel powerful and important.
Like any skill, it took practice to become better at reading tarot, but my friends loved it and I loved giving them readings, so I gained a lot of experience throughout that year.
With tarot, I was able to help give advice to my friends when they experienced hardships. The common topics tended to be about relationships and stress. Honestly, me and my tarot cards helped a lot of teenagers through rough breakups and difficult times in their lives.
Although I loved giving readings to others, I didn’t give any for myself. It was easier to talk to others about their problems, not my own. I was worried that if I gave myself a reading, the cards I drew would tell me a harsh truth I couldn’t handle.
It took until my mother had gotten me a professional tarot reading for my birthday that I was convinced to read for myself more. I learned how tarot cards can help someone embrace self-reflection and take accountability. I learned that it’s okay to admit to bad habits and recognize where you need to improve.
Tarot isn’t about calling out to dead relatives on All Hallows’ Eve for spiritual guidance. It’s about grounding techniques and messages from the universe. My tarot cards caused me to improve my outlook and approach toward the future ahead of me.
Towards the end of middle school, tarot reminded me to focus on myself and my needs, and not to get swept up in everything else around me. Tarot is a major part of my identity and the core of my belief system. It all may seem like a fun gag for the Halloween season, but for me it’s a year-round practice.
Jack-o’-lanterns may flicker, but tarot is the guiding light that helps me see myself clearly, even when everything else feels dark.
Hot Topic: Five Halloween horror movies
A graphic shows five spooky movies that go along with the Halloween season. For example, “A Nightmare on Elm Street” depicted a serial killer who hunted down adolescents. “Teenager Nancy Thompson (Heather Langenkamp) must uncover secrets buried by her parents about why the spirit of a serial killer with a blade-clad glove is after her and her friends. Overall, the film shows just how dreams can haunt people, even from the dead,” Outreach and Alumni Coordinator Gillian Williams wrote. Graphics by Gillian Williams
Outreach and Alumni Coordinator Gillian Williams shares five spooky movies to watch during the Halloween season.
Video: Halloween Safety PSA
Visuals Staffer Miriam Silk shares strategies for staying safe in heightened-risk environments on Halloween. Wearing reflective, identifiable clothing and using bright lights during the evening has been proven to helps prevent pedestrian accidents. “Other ways you can stay safe on Halloween include using your headlamps or flashlights so you can see in the dark,” Silk said. Video by Miriam Silk
With Halloween and trick-or-treating just around the corner, its important to keep safety in mind.
