International students make cardboard costumes for Halloween party
Cut cardboard and masking tape covered the floors of the International Student Center during its annual Halloween party at noon on Oct. 26.
Students faced off in creating the most creative and durable costumes for a cardboard fight in the Student Services building, room 164. Due to low turnout, the fight never happened.
International student technician Michael Aguilar said that the student center hosts these events to make international students feel included.
Party organizers originally scheduled a Box Battle Building and Brawling event. Students were invited to create their own armor and props out of cardboard and battle each other for a prize — two tickets to Starline Tours Hollywood.
Students were required to build their armor and props with safety in mind. They could not have any sharp edges or pointy tips. The corrugated weaponry also had to be hollow and blunt so no one would get hurt at the cardboard brawl.
Some came ready. Students premade their armor and props.
Because the party was scheduled during popular events such as Escape Psycho Circus, an EDM festival in San Bernardino, Blizzcon and Twitchcon, turnout was low.
The originally planned brawl became a cardboard costume contest.
Most events hosted by the International Student Center have a large turnout. A karaoke night on Oct. 5. drew about 50 attendees in the International Student center.
Thirty minutes after the Halloween party started, two students, psychology major Angela Huang and Citrus College Clarion reporter Sammy Fernandes, armed themselves with the cardboard props for a “for-fun” skirmish.
After the destruction of a cardboard axe and two flimsy swords, the only brawl was over.
Some students sat in lounge chairs watching both parts of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.” They snacked on pizza and popcorn while others donned cardboard costumes.
International studies major Yo Shiminoya tried to give her cardboard costume a flourish of Japanese style.
She cut through the rigid cardboard to create a “traditional Japanese silk” but had trouble with the stiff material.
Nursing major Evelyn Nkinzi took a more practical costume approach. She used a cardboard box to fashion a household appliance as her costume.
“I’m trying to make a washer or a dryer, or something that looks like a washer or a dryer.” Nkinzi said.
Nkinzi’s box inspired Shiminoya to forgo her original plan.
“I tried to make a traditional Japanese silk, but it was difficult so I might make an oven,” Shiminoya said.
The sounds of masking tape tearing and box cutting continued while the movie played.
When the Harry Potter credits rolled, the audience judged the costumes.
With the exception of the competitors, students marked a ballot for two categories,“the Most Durable” and “the Most Creative.”
After a drumroll on tables and chairs, “The Most Durable” award was given to a cardboard oven Shiminoya.
In one-hand, she showed a pan made of duct tape and in the other, her cardboard pyramid trophy and two tickets to Starline Tours Hollywood.
Fernandes won “Most Creative” for her pumpkin-head, rainbow-winged pirate. She was also rewarded with a cardboard trophy and two tickets to Starline Tours Hollywood.
Shiminoya said she would like to go with Nkinzi because she inspired Shiminoya to make the winning costume.
Fernandes said that she would like to go on the Starline Tours with her sister, who will be visiting over the winter.
“If I can wait to go with her, then I will wait,” Fernandes said.
Article updated for grammar on November 3.
