by Brandale Mills
Daily Lobo
Ghosts, goblins and monsters roamed through the UNM Bookstore on Monday for a Halloween costume contest.
The first-place winner, David Jackson, was the Predator from the movie "Alien vs. Predator." The second-place winner, Satoshi Shimada, went as a samurai warrior, and the third-place winner called herself "The Shower Lady," which was a lady dressed like she was taking a shower. The contest was judged on originality and creativity.
"I just wanted to win the iPod nano," Shimada said.
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He said he borrowed his costume from a friend.
"I've always wanted to wear it," he said. "This gave me a chance to wear it."
Shimada did not win the iPod nano, but he did win a $75 gift certificate to the bookstore and said he was happy to get it. He said this was the first time he dressed up for Halloween since he was a child.
Costumes in the contest ranged from characters from "The Cat in the Hat" to "The Terminator." The bookstore had a sale in connection with the contest, and it also provided a disc jockey for the audience.
Voight Thornton, the DJ hired for the event, said the contest brought a lot of spirit to the campus.
"It allowed people to express themselves," he said. "The people were very receptive, and they had a good time."
Thornton said he liked the extravagant costumes. He said his favorite costume was the Predator.
"It has such detail," he said. "It was great."
Lawrence Gilligan, who helped sign people up for the contest, said there was a good turnout.
He said more than 40 participants signed up.
Gilligan said this year's turnout was better than last year's, which attracted 30 participants. He said the Predator was also his favorite costume because of its originality.
"It was all homemade with working lights," he said.
UNM student Erica Schukar was working at Starbucks in the bookstore during the contest. She said it was good that a lot of people came in and participated.
"It made work fun for a Monday," she said.
She said next year she will sign up for the Halloween contest if she is not working. She said her favorite costume was the samurai warrior.
"I was excited when he placed," she said.
