Issue8_Wolf1_COMPLETE_f25 by Loyola Maroon

HALLOWEEN EDITION

The WOLF

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DEAR WOLF READERS,

Thank you for tuning into this edition of the Wolf! It’s that time of year again, neighborhoods decked out in decorations, pumpkin patches, scary movies, candy, and a world thrills! As you’re jumping into Halloween and these fall favorites this edition, you will see spooky stories, go-to shops/DIY for costume ideas, spectacular graphic designs, and more! Halloween has always had our hearts with the fun festivities, costumes, storytelling, movies, etc. As two Loyola students, we ﬁnd ourselves submerged in creative works of art and scenery almost constantly with our unique and authentic student body.

Being able to be the Wolf editors this semester has been an amazing experience ﬁlled with such fun and creative works of art and storytelling. During this creative process, we’ve seen students showcase their talent and artwork that has been inspiring and so impressive. Each work of art is different and tells an individual story, which is what makes Loyola so special. Everyone is their authentic, genuine, and expressive self.

A big thank you to everyone who contributed and helped make this edition of the Wolf possible! Truly if it wasn’t for the community that came together, we wouldn’t be able to produce such a fun, creative, and thrilling magazine. Being editors for the ﬁrst time was a new process, and thanks to our team, it felt like a breeze.

We feel so lucky being able to see students show off their talent and are so thrilled we get to share it with the rest of the student body, faculty, and Wolf readers! We hope you have as much fun ﬂipping through and reading these pages as we did putting them together. So lay back, get cozy, grab a pumpkin or two, and sip on your favorite fall drink while catching up on this issue of the Wolf. Happy Halloween!

Love the Wolf Editors, Laura Welles and Olivia Sanyal

i n s t r u c t i o n s : Find all the words in this puzzle. Bring your completed puzzle to Dat Dog Freret to win a special prize!

h i n t : Menu items

CAULDRENS CULTURE:

The SPELLBINDING HISTORY of NEW ORLEANS

The history regarding the witches of New Orleans is a melting pot, in this case melting cauldron, of spiritual practices across the world. Exploding during the hippie movement which ended as a permanent landmark in New Orleans culture.

MARIE LAVEAU AND

Once a fad turned into a religious and cultural shift centered around the mix of feminism, Catholicism, African spirituality, voodoo, and other bits and pieces of the culture from those who have practiced it.

WITCHCRAFT

Laveau held events and ceremonies regarding witchcraft such as the celebration of the summer solstice. Mostly, she offered support and counsel to those who sought her out by placing protection and healing for those that needed it.

One of the most prominent pioneers in New Orleans witchcraft was Marie Laveau, often referred to as the Voodoo Queen. Growing up in New Orleans in the 1800s as a free woman of color, Marie Laveau began to ﬂourish in her practice during the 1830s. Celebrated for her healing powers and disposition she grew to a level of inﬂuence beyond her spiritual powers.

Tying in her Catholic roots the Voodoo Queen would also pray for those around her and follow her faith while reigning as a symbol of voodoo and witchcraft in New Orleans. However, after her death in 1881, the revival of witchcraft in New Orleans wouldn’t take place until nearly a century later with another remarkable priestess, Mary Onedia Toups. her healing powers and disposition

Mary Onedia Toups, originally from Mississippi, moved to New Orleans during 1968 in her forties, where she owned a bar turned occult shop. Toups turned to the more western side of witchcraft rather than the traditionally African-rooted voodoo New Orleans is known for.

This worked to her advantage with the resurgence and open mindedness of the 60s. The not-so-new and intriguing world of the occult surged during this period considering the establishment of the Church of Satan.

Years later in 1972, Toups would go on to initiate her own religious group, ofﬁcially chartered by the state of Louisiana, the Religious Order of Witchcraft, garnering the attention of New Orleans as well as the many other future witches who would join the order.

The popularity of the high priestess continued to soar as she continued her western practice of witchcraft tied with inevitable inﬂuence from the New Orleans culture of voodoo. Following her peculiarly unknown death in 1981. she still lives on as an esteemed witch of New Orleans.

Contrary to most of the world, New Orleans often differed from the traditional view of witches and witchcraft in the way that they were often well respected within the city. In places of high standing, with quite a bit of inﬂuence, they go against the often negative connotations associated with witchcraft globally.

Ghosts in the Dorms? Buddig Hall’s Haunted Legacy Lives On

Written by Lily Haggard

Graphics by Olivia Sanyal

After researching the 1968 events at Buddig Hall where two students reportedly conjured a spirit in room 813 during a séance, a question still lingers: is Buddig Hall still haunted and do our peers still experience this in 2025? After revisiting room 813 as well as gathering testimonies from current Buddig Hall residents, it seems the hauntings never truly stopped.

“I would say there were many things that have been off. I currently live in that room by myself,” said Keith, the sole person living in room 813.

Keith, a freshman assigned to room 813, was unaware of its history until he began his own research. Since then, a series of occurrences have become so disturbing that he no longer sleeps in his own room.

“I think the first thing I noticed was the door,” Keith said. “On move-in day, I had invited a friend over, and the first thing we heard was the door creaking without anyone touching it. At night, I hear random noises. I don’t remember if this was the first night, but I heard something behind me fall off the shelves.

When I looked, nothing had fallen. Strange, weird occurrences happen around three times a week, and the creaking door is almost constant. It almost feels like I have a roommate.”

However the catalyst to Keith’s paranoia and anxiety occurred one night a couple weeks into the school year causing a fear of being in his own room.

“I was under the covers trying to sleep, because I couldn’t sleep, and it felt like I was awake. I started feeling something moving around my room and then they started grabbing the sheets trying to take them off of me. I could feel the fabric being pulled in and out. I couldn’t tell if this was a ghost experience or sleep paralysis. I thought ‘was that real?’ It felt more real than my other experience with sleep paralysis,” Keith said.

Keith’s experiences paint a chilling reality of living so intimately to Buddig Hall’s unexplained history. But are these occurrences conﬁned to room 813, or do they affect other residents as well?

“I had a nightmare about someone coming into my room three times in a row,” said Holly, a residential assistant on Buddig Hall’s eighth ﬂoor.

“It was very unsettling because it seemed real but I knew I was asleep,” Holly said. “It was almost like I could feel someone in the room with me and I jumped up out of my sleep. And the last time I saw a dark ﬁgure in the corner. It was always at an odd time like 3:29 or 3:36 am. I haven’t been wanting to stay in the room because I don’t want to be in here by myself.”

Holly was not previously familiar with the haunted history behind Buddig Hall. There were also texts from a few days ago between Holly and her friend explaining what had happened to her to further add to the reliability of her experience.

Holly’s encounter presents the possibility that Buddig Hall’s inexplicable activity extends beyond a single room. A freshman living in Buddig Hall on the 7th ﬂoor, Rae, shares their own experiences, contributing another layer to the eerie mystery of Buddig.

“I was having a hard time sleeping and I felt like someone was watching me,” Rae said. “I hear noises at night and it’s mostly just the sound of someone breathing, that’s what I hear the most. Calder, my friend whose parents worked with ghosts, came over and he said ‘You know there’s a ghost in your room, right?’ and him conﬁrming it for me made me realize there really was something going on here.”

Rae’s account adds to a growing chorus of students who feel they’re not alone in their rooms. It is undeniable that there are consistencies within each story involving people with no correlation to one another.

A friend of Rae’s, while passing by the infamous room of 813, claimed hearing the same creaking

noises that Keith had described. This overlap suggests that the phenomena tied to 813 are not only consistent but also noticeable to those outside the room itself.

Keith, Holly, and Rae’s encounters weave together to create a mosaic of Buddig Hall, one where spectral events refuse to stay in the past. Whether these occurrences are based in the building’s history of hearsay, the lingering strength of suggestion, or something far more irrational, the persistence of such tales from 50 years ago to now makes it difﬁcult to dismiss them entirely.

Keith, who continues to endure the strange activity of room 813 ﬁrsthand, made one request to readers.

“Please don’t come to my room asking to perform a Ouija board session,” he said. “People think it’s funny, but it’s really not. It’s my room, and I’m already dealing with enough.”

In the end, Buddig Hall remains what it has remained since 1968: a place where the division between campus life and the unexplainable seems far too thin. Whether you do or do not believe in ghosts, one thing is certain—room 813 is best left undisturbed.

Trick, Treat, or Trend: New Orleans’ Guide to Halloween Costumes 2025

Written by Morgan Parker

Halloween 2025 is shaping up to be bold, nostalgic, and full of do-it-yourself ﬂair. From Blockbuster hits to Internet-fueled aesthetics, the costumes people want reﬂect what’s hot in pop culture, fashion, and the creator economy. Here’s what seems to be trending — ideas for group costumes, what DIYers are doing, and where to shop in New Orleans for all your spooky needs.

Costume trends this year are being largely shaped by blockbuster movies, viral moments, and nostalgic memories. Wicked: Part One and two have inspired a surplus of Glinda and Elphaba looks, including lots of glitter, green face paint, and dramatic costumes. Meanwhile, the wave of Barbiecore costumes from last year has not dulledexpect more pink glittery suits and sparkly pink cowboy hats. These costumes have become more affordable since the original movie hype has died down, making it easier for more fans to participate. The Wednesday Addams costumes have made a major comeback following the new show starring Jenna Ortega. Although the Addams family is a classic costume, expect to see a new take on the costume this year.

New and popular movies are dominating the

Halloween scene. The rise of K-pop Demon Hunters, Netflix’s most watched film of this year, has sparked a wave of unique group costumes that each member of the group can put their own spin on the look. These costumes feature trench coats, bold makeup, swords, and stage costumes making it the ideal customizable group costume. Superman has also made a big comeback this year following the new movie that was released earlier this summer. Expect to see classic red capes flying through Halloween parties and parades along with many Minecraft costumes following the new movie that hit theaters in April. We will definitely see many Steve costumes along with the occasional chicken jockey. It wouldn’t be Halloween without a trip back to the 90’s. The decade is having a full circle moment this year, not only with retro decorations but also with throwback costumes popping up everywhere. Think: Scooby-Doo group costumes, Clueless yellow plaid skirt sets, Ghostface from Scream, Anakin and Padme couples costumes from Star Wars, and of course, the classic Mean Girls group. 2025 is a nostalgic goldmine for anyone who loves a fun, recognizable costume.

Some DIY costumes that are trending this year include party animals, Alvin and the Chipmunks, Where’s Waldo, pirates, and so much more. When you think about it, really anything can be DIY, it just depends how much time and money you are willing to put into it. For example, you could easily dress up as any identiﬁable character such as Steve from Minecraft or Mario from Super Mario. Animals are really easy to make because most people already own clothes that could work for the outﬁt. Party animals are a super cute idea because you dress up in animal print and then wear a party hat. It’s a super simple and cute idea for a last minute Halloween party.

Some of the best places to shop for costumes in New Orleans. Nikki’s French Quarter Halloween Store (107 Chartres St, French Quarter) is a longtime favorite — they have a huge selection of costumes, masks, props, paints, makeup, paint, and accessories. Nikkis is definitely on a list of places I would recommend going to this fall. Uptown Costume & Dancewear (4326 Magazine St) — This is a go-to spot for all types of costume wear: costumes, wigs, masks, props, and accessories. Miss Claudia’s Vintage Clothing & Costumes (4204 Magazine St) — This spot is perfect for thrifty or vintage costume finds especially if you are going for more of a unique look. Funky Monkey (3127 Magazine St) — a resale boutique that carries vintage costumes, gowns, accessories, and more! If you are looking for more affordable options we also have Spirit Halloween (1000 S. Clearview Pkwy, New Orleans) — which is a large seasonal chain filled with costumes, props, wigs, makeup, accessories, and more. Wherever you’re headed this Halloween, New Orleans has the costume to match whether you’re spooky, sparkly, or somewhere in between.

Graphics by Harmony Hoffman

Fall Foods

-Molasses cookies

-Pumpkin chocolate chip cookies

-Hearty potato soup

-Pumpkin pie

-Loaded baked potato soup

A Fall Flavor Review: Starbucks’ Seasonal Sips

Written by: Alyvia Pierson

Graphics by: Laura Welles

Fall is quickly approaching and Starbucks has revealed its fall-themed menu featuring refreshing iced and soothing hot beverages and delicious pastries. Get ready for pumpkin spice and all things nice!

The iced pecan crunch oatmeal latte is my personal favorite! The vanilla cold foam topped with pecan crunch topping is a burst of sweetness upon ﬁrst sip. The slightly bitter blonde espresso towards the bottom of the cup, contrasts well the sweetness on top! Not to mention, it smells like fall itself! I rank it a 8/10.

The pumpkin spice frappucino is for the pumpkin lovers! It’s a frappuccino roast coffee base topped with whipped cream, pumpkin spice topping, and a strong aroma. However, the pumpkin ﬂavor is not for me and this is my least favorite drink. I rank it a 5/10.

The baked apple croissant is an apple pie dream! It’s the perfect bite-size portion for breakfast on the go. I rank it a 9/10.

The pecan oat milk cortado was surprisingly tasty! It’s a Spanish coffee with equal parts espresso and steamed milk, topped with white foam and pecan

seasoning. The espresso is more subtle compared to the other drinks, making the pecan ﬂavor pop more. I rank it a 7/10.

The raccoon cake pop is adorably decorated with a moist vanilla cake interior covered in vanilla buttercream. It’s perfect for those who enjoy subtle sweetness. However, I thought it was slightly bland. The cake pop is perfect for a quick treat on the go! I rank it a 7/10.

The pumpkin spice latte is a fall classic and has a similar taste to the frappuccino. It’s made with espresso, 2% steamed milk and of course, pumpkin spice. The pumpkin ﬂavor is more subtle which I appreciated. I rank it a 6/10.

The pumpkin cream cheese muffin is my favorite fall pastry. The cream cheese filling can be overwhelmingly sweet for some but the pumpkin muffin contrasts well with it. Fresh out the warmer, it smells like fall and goes well with pumpkin-themed drinks! I rank it a 9/10.

Spooky Tunes

Morbid Stuff

Pup

Calling All The Monsters

Ant Farm

Monster Mash

Black N0.1

Type O Negative

Season of the Witch

Bobby Pickett Lana Del Ray

This Is Halloween Nightmare Before Christmas

Somebodys Watching Me

Rockwell

Ghost Busters

Ray Parker Jr.

Graphic by Olivia Sanyal

Fall Favorites

Best Halloween Candy

-100 grands

-“Anything i get from trick or treating”

-Hershey

-Reese

-Green apple caramel lollipops

-Candy corn

Favorite Fall Drinks

-Apple cider

-Chai

-Pumpkin chai

-“Anything hot and cinnamon-y”

-Pumpkin spiced latte

-Pumpkin cream cold brew

-Iced pumpkin chai with oatmilk

Favorite Scary Movies

-Hereditary

-Creep

-Bring Her Back

-The Conjuring

-Sinners

-Scream

-Friday the 13th

-Alternatively

-500 days of summer

Graphic by Olivia Sanyal

THANK YOU

Thank you so much to all our contributors, designers, editors, videographers, and the community that pitched in! Everyone’s hard work paid off so much and we are forever grateful we got to put together such a fun and unique issue. Thank you to the Maroon for providing such a creative outlet for students to showcase their skills and gain experience in the journalism field.

Being able to be students working in the Maroon has been such a rewarding experience that we will take with us after college and beyond. Each design and story has been written and crafted with such time and effort showing how authentic and unique our student body is. This issue has been such a creative process highlighting the drive and passion from our students. As we end this chapter of the Wolf, we hope readers like you enjoy our spooky pages and stories and cant wait to see the future voices of the Maroon!