Written by Jameson Williams, Staff Reporter
From sailors to My Little Pony characters, Halloween costumes at Roanoke College are about more than showing up in a clever outfit, especially in Greek life.
For sorority members across campus, coordinated costumes have become a tradition that helps strengthen friendships, welcome new members and create lasting memories. For what may just seem like a fun costume, chapter leaders say the real value lies in the connections formed while planning and wearing them.
Sophia Allen, president of Delta Gamma, said choosing group costumes brings members together across all class years and gives them an opportunity to discover their shared interests.
“It allows us to communicate across grades in a way that we wouldn’t normally,” Allen said. “It allows us to explore what we all love and to then be able to bring that into a physical being.”
For Delta Gamma, that connection often takes a nautical turn. The chapter traditionally dresses as sailors, a costume Allen said reflects the organization’s identity and the bond members share.
“We are ‘anchored’ together, and we love to express our love for the water,” she said.
At Alpha Sigma Alpha, President Iliana Galindo said group costumes help create an environment where everyone feels included. The chapter typically chooses a single theme that allows members to participate together, regardless of how well they know one another.
Galindo said the tradition can be especially helpful for new members and those who may be quieter or more reserved.
Chi Omega President Maple Browne echoed that sentiment, saying coordinated costumes provide a fun way for sisters from different class years to connect while helping new members feel welcomed into the chapter.
The benefits of dressing up do not stop within Greek life. According to the sorority leaders, Halloween has a way of bringing together students who might not otherwise cross paths.
Galindo said members often coordinate costumes with friends outside the sorority or invite them to Halloween events, creating opportunities to build connections beyond their chapter. Allen said showing off a group costume gives members a chance to share their sisterhood with the wider campus community, while Browne noted that costumes can make Greek life feel more approachable to students who are not involved.
This year, Delta Gamma plans to stick with its sailor tradition, while many Alpha Sigma Alpha members are preparing a My Little Pony-inspired group costume. Chi Omega members are considering a look inspired by Pitch Perfect, so be sure to keep your eye out for these creative groups.
Whether they’re sailing the seven seas, harmonizing like the Bellas, or channeling their inner Pinkie Pie, Roanoke College students are proving that Halloween is about more than matching outfits. It’s about making memories, building friendships, and finding a sense of belonging, one costume at a time.
