The Eunice & James West Library saw everything from wizards and princesses to skeletons and horned demons yesterday, Oct. 30, as the library staff hosted their annual costume contest.

“I’ve been doing the judging for the last 4 to 5 years, and this is by far the biggest turnout and best costumes we’ve ever seen,” said Dr. Cary Adkinson, associate professor of criminal justice and one of the judges for the contest. “It was really hard for us to come to a conclusion…because they’re all amazing, but we did have to decide.”

First place went to Technical Theater and Design major Nathalie Benya, who thrifted her entire outfit and showcased her makeup skills for the contest. Her costume was an original concept and story. 

“I was going to a pumpkin patch, they took me, and I never came out!” Benya said when asked about the story behind her costume.

The theatre department continued to take the top spots as theater major Chad Rojas took second place with his 1925 version of Phantom of the Opera costume. Alongside Benya, he put on a full face of makeup, with crooked teeth as the final touch.

 “I watched the movies and recently finished the book, and this is my favorite version so I thought, why not?” Rojas explained.  

Finally, third place went to Mohammed (Mo) Saheb, who wore a skeleton costume complete with a suit, fedora, and a blue and yellow tie. He explained that his costume was inspired by Texas Wesleyan.  

“You know, I’ve been here so long that I’ve turned to bones. That’s pretty much what it is,” Saheb joked.  

The competition was tight, but the afternoon kept its lighthearted, spooky atmosphere as students mingled and posed for pictures and videos.