Cap’N Crunch is not usually wandering around the Cesar Chavez building on a sunny Thursday afternoon. Neither is Pikachu or eight giant dancing dinosaurs, but they were all there on Halloween, along with a colorful lineup of other characters.

They were there for the annual Boo-Fest costume contest. Every department is invited to pick a theme, then dress up and decorate to compete for prizes. Party music and a festive mood turned the usually business-like atmosphere at the Chavez building into a midday bash.

EOPS Counselor Arlie Ricasa acted as master of ceremonies for the event.

“We’ve been doing this every year just to have some office unity and creativity and kind of enjoy this time of year,” she said.

Employees paraded before a panel of judges. EOPS came out in full hippie force, carrying signs and a token groovy bus. Prerequisites turned into Willy Wonka world, Counseling became a bag of M&M’s and Student Activities showed up as a live Pac-Man game.

ALL DRESSED UP – EOPS staff showed up as a van full of hippies.
Photo by: Caleigh Goldman

Downstairs, the Admissions and Outreach department became The Nightmare Before Christmas and Financial Aid turned into a haunted house. Upstairs, the First Year Experience department became home to Pikachu and other Pokémon characters.

ALL DRESSED UP – SC Police Chief Dave Nighswonger dressed up as Cap’N Crunch.
Photo by: Caleigh Goldman

SC Police Chief Dave Nighswonger, cleverly disguised as Cap’N Crunch, picked up a prize for Most Creative Costume.  His fuzzy white mustache clung to his upper lip with a piece of tape.

“I thought, why not do my part for Halloween?” he said.

Looking like a dainty doll in pigtails and polka dots, Tabitha Ibarra from Student Services took home the prize for Scariest Costume as Gaby Gaby from “Toy Story 4.”

Forky, also from “Toy Story 4,” took home the prize for Funniest Costume.

“I’m trash. They call me trash.” said a blue-lipped Janet Bynum of Student Service, staying in character and carrying her black plastic trash bag with her to make the point.

Student Services also took home a big prize for Group Costumes. Dr. Malia Flood suited up in a Woody outfit and led her cast off “Toy Story 4” to victory.

Disability Student Services staff turned its office into a very convincing set of Jurassic Park. Their efforts were a roaring success and earned the prize for Best Office Decoration.

In the lobby the hulking inflatable dinosaurs cavorted to the music. Inside the dark and tropical DSS office, technician Esther Sakhi said Boo-Fest is a tradition.

“Every year we participate,” she said. “We have student workers participate in putting this together. We choose the best theme for the office and start creating ideas. It’s a great time for everybody here.”