Lance Novak

When ghosts, spiders, monsters and witches begin to haunt doorsteps, Advanced Placement Government and Economics teacher and golf coach Lance Novak prepares for Halloween by picking out costumes, decorating and upholding old family traditions.

In the past, Novak has dressed as Darth Vader and Skipper from Gilligan’s Island. When Novak was younger, he and his friends would dress up to a theme and scour the Cincinnati streets for candy.

“The last time I went trick-or-treating as a kid was freshman year,” said Novak. “I dressed up as an old lady.”

Although Novak now celebrates Halloween with his wife and son, rather than his friends, one thing has remained constant: Novak’s 60-year-old family tradition of eating homemade chili and corn bread before roaming the streets. This Halloween, look out for Mr. Clean, Novak’s go-to costume, on campus, and if you want to get on his good side, give him a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup. He cannot resist them!

Written by Allison Lipschitz

Sara Bottalico

Dressing up on Halloween is not just a tradition for kids; many teachers take part in the festivities as well. Honors and College Preparatory Chemistry teacher Sara Bottalico loves Halloween because the holiday is an excuse to eat candy without feeling guilty. She also loves seeing all of her students dressed up for the holiday.

“My favorite costumes are the ones that are funny or witty,” Bottallico said.

When Bottalico was just 2 years old, her parents dressed her up as a punk rocker with a mohawk and rugged clothes. Last year, Bottalico dressed up as Katniss Everdeen from the Hunger Games.

Aside from dressing up, Bottalico’s favorite Halloween tradition at CHS is blowing up pumpkins with her fellow Chemistry teachers. Every year, Mr. Walker, Dr. Bennett and Mrs. Bottalico bring their classes together to watch the teachers explode pumpkins on their favorite holiday.

Bottalico is a huge fan of Halloween and looks forward to celebrating the festivities at CHS today.

Written by Zach Testa

Karen Levenberg

As the Autumn leaves turn brown and the aroma of pumpkins fill the air, College Preparatory Algebra I and Intermediate Algebra II teacher Karen Levenberg begins to spruce up her front door with festive Halloween decorations. When she was a child, Levenberg and her brother illuminated the family home with spooky décor. Levenberg’s house was a trick-or-treat hot spot.

On one very memorable Halloween years ago, when Levenberg dressed as a professional soccer player, she and her mother suddenly overheard her brother pleading for help as they were making their famous pumpkin pie.

“That Halloween my brother was a life-size rubric cube,” said Levenberg. “His costume was made out of a box, so when he found himself stuck, my parents had to cut him out. He was so upset!”

Although Levenberg will be at a conference in Palm Springs tonight, stop by her class during the day to check out her creative and fun costume. If you are a good student, maybe you will receive a sweet treat.

Written by Daria Gershovitch