Naval Academy Midshipmen Celebrate Halloween

By MIDN 1/C Gabby Dimaapi

Halloween is one of the more exciting times of year for midshipmen at the U.S. Naval Academy.

With company and battalion parties, the haunted house on Hospital Point, unique costumes, and a special themed meal prepared by the dedicated workers in King Hall, midshipmen have many ways to participate in the festivities.

This year, the Brigade celebrated Halloween on Thursday with a dinner in King Hall and trick-or-treating in Bancroft Hall, the school’s dormitory. The “Spooktacular” menu included bat wings (King Hall wings), bloody bones (barbecue ribs), mummy toes (pigs in a blanket), and festive autumn and Halloween-themed desserts!

There was also a costume contest, where each of the 30 companies chose an individual or themed group to represent the company on a runway in King Hall. Six winners were chosen by Commandant of Midshipmen Capt. Bill Byrne, in the categories of scariest, funniest, most creative, and 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd place overall.

Finally, the Brigade finished the evening with an hour of trick-or-treating for candy voluntarily provided by the Plebes and some upperclassmen. Some company officers and senior enlisted leaders brought their children into Bancroft to participate in trick-or-treating and other events hosted by individual companies.

The festivities around the yard served as a welcome respite for the midshipmen, who this week faced 12-week exams, generally considered to be one of the toughest times academically during the semester.

The Naval Academy will also performed the annual Halloween/All Saints Organ Concert featuring the chapel’s organist and many midshipmen acting as singers, instrumentalists, tech support, dancers, and more.