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A time of make-believe Rankin children use Halloween as means of self-expressionDarrell Greer Northern News Services Published Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012
Werewolves howled, witches cackled and vampires flashed evil grins, as every ghoul imaginable was on display during the annual assembly and Halloween parade at the school. There were also leprechauns, princesses, hippies, clowns, storm troopers and super heroes mingling amongst the spooky in-crowd. A talented, if slightly kooky, adult led the macabre event, tapping out tunes on an ugly stick like some twisted version of the Pied Piper. It was a sight for sore eyes and the elementary-aged children had an absolute blast. Even children from the Nunavut Arctic College Day Care took part in the festivities for the first time. School principal Delores Kent said the students totally enjoy the event and everyone takes part in the fun. She said children who don't have costumes join in on the action after having their faces painted with creative designs. "We hold this every year strictly for the fun of it," said Kent. "We don't award prizes or anything like, so it's not a competitive thing. "Individual teachers also take it upon themselves to go over safety tips with the kids during the week, or so, leading up to Halloween." Kent said the Halloween parade has grown steadily in popularity among her young students during the past few years. But, she said, the children's eagerness to participate is more about self-expression than Halloween itself. "Our parade gives them a chance to use their imaginations. "Kids like to dress up and they can use that as a way to learn, and to build their self-esteem through their talent of self-expression. "It's all about making-believe and make-believe is a large part of their world at this age. "So, it's really not so much about Halloween as it is about the costumes themselves and being on parade."
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