Leadership held a Halloween Costume Contest in the Rally Court on Thursday, Oct. 31. The contest was split into two different categories: individual and group costumes. Before the contest, senior Kartik Patri and members of leadership danced to Micheal Jackson’s Halloween classic “Thriller.” Afterward, contestants showcased their costumes to a panel of judges, with individual contestants going first.

Individual costume participants walked down the stage of the Rally Court and struck a pose for the three judges: Spanish teacher Norma Abarca, Assistant Principal Mike White and Chinese teacher I-Chu Chang. The costumes ranged from video game characters to musicians and cowboys, showcasing the MVHS student body’s diverse participation.

After the individual portion finished, the group costume participants exhibited their costumes. Junior Shiva Chaganti, who dressed as Donald Trump, and junior Anusha Barave, who dressed up as Kamala Harris, along with six juniors dressed as Secret Service agents formed the largest group. On stage, they performed a political skit, featuring the two candidates arguing with each other. Junior and Secret Service costume participant Aarav Prakash shared about the preparation behind the costume. 

“We met up one time, and Shiva, who’s dressed up as Donald Trump, brought his wig and his cap, and we just decided on the spot there about two weeks ago,” Prakash said. 

Junior and second-place group contest winner Aaron Tang says he and his partner junior Elaine Chen’s goal was to place in the top three. Dressing up as Darla and Nemo, Tang was grateful to have placed and participated in the competition, as this was his first year doing so.

“I know that I would have never done this before, but I’m so glad I got the confidence to do this,” Tang said.

Winners were announced as followed: