By J1 Reporter Katie Zinna

The Halloween costume contest is one of Marian’s oldest traditions. Each year, seniors compete against each other to win first place for their costumes. During the contest, seniors show off their costumes to the entire student body and teachers. They then give a little performance in front of judges at an all school assembly..

The 2023 winning costume was Colonel Sanders and his chickens. This group was led by Abigail Konecky, who dressed up as Colonel Sanders, along with Emma Koch, Maya Zier, Tori Schenklberg, Caitlyn Dunham, Lilly McAndrews and Madi Shaffar, who all dressed up as chickens. They proceeded to perform a quick dance that ended with Colonel Sanders chasing his chickens out of the gym. 

The costume was certainly a unique one and one Marian students will not soon forget. Abigail Konecky said she found the inspiration for her costume and it “was love at first sight” for her and her friends. They watched a TikTok of Colonel Sanders and a chicken dancing and knew right away what they wanted their costume to be. 

All that was left to do was pick a song, choreograph a dance, and plan their entrance, which they managed to do in only three practices. Konecky reports how amazing it felt to win knowing that she and her friends had put so much planning into their performance. She also says that she has always wanted to do the costume contest because she looked up to the seniors who had done the contest years before. Some of her other favorite costumes were Willy Wonka and Taylor Swift with Travis Kelce.   

Mrs. Sarah Bontz, a new math teacher, had the chance to judge the costume contest. She says that the experience was unique and exciting because during her time at her old schools, they never did anything for Halloween. Even though she was chosen to be a judge, she was thrilled to be involved in the contest and have the best seat. “I was grateful to be asked, as my seat was more comfortable than the bleachers.”

Bontz, who dressed up as Where’s Waldo, said she loved the Kentucky Fried Chicken performance and that her favorite costume was Sally from A Nightmare Before Christmas. She loved the creativeness and energy each group brought into their costume and is excited for next year.