Technician
thursday october
27 2011
Raleigh, North Carolina
technicianonline.com
Simple costumes for any budget For students who are low on funds, there are still plenty of ways to dress up for Halloween. Crystal Stroman Correspondent
On the average college student’s budget, it may be hard to afford Halloween costumes from specialty or retail stores. Nonetheless, it is still possible to live on a budget and have a great Halloween costume this year. One affordable, but still Halloween-ready way to don a scary outfit is to dress up as a serial killer. This costume is as simple as picking up a white plastic mask, dressing in all black and carrying around a faux knife. There you have it, a simple and affordable way to celebrate the holiday. If you’re keen on the horror movie villain route, a great option is Jason Voorhees. All
insidetechnician
you need is a white hockey mask, a fake machete and any outfit of your choice. A similar option is going with the villain from the Scream series. Just pick up a ghostface mask, the iconic black robes, and a fake weapon of choice. These options provide the same level of affordability as the generic serial killer, but with a bit more star power to drive the ensemble. Karthik Ya g n a , a graduate student in computer networking, said he w i l l most likely dress up like a villain this Halloween. “I will probably dress as the Grim Reaper,” Yagna said. “Or something that needs a long black robe, because it is one of the most inexpensive costumes.”
Another great way to have a fun, affordable Halloween costume is to piece something together from objects you can find around your house. Using items you already have in your closet is both an efficient and wallet-friendly way to create a simple costume. This route also provides an opportunity to wear items that don’t make it into your standard wardrobe very often. Shauntia Walton, a senior in biology, said she plans to use things she already has in her closet for a costume. “I will probably wear a black dress, some cute heels and be a witch,” Walton said. “It’s a simple way to be fashionable and not spend too much money for a costume.” Be a black-eyed pea by pinning a paper cutout of the letter on a shirt and use makeup to darken an eye. Use an apron, a large knife and red food coloring to be a killer chef. Dust off that old prom dress and find a plastic tiara to relive those prom queen days
or be a Miss America contestant. By using simple items like an apron or a broom, you can make a classic costume without spending a dime. Using clothes you already have to create a costume also creates a chance to go outside of your normal comfort zone and express a different side of yourself. Dressing up like a celebrity is a popular alternative that wont break your wallet. Movie stars, athletes and musicians usually have a recognizable style and can provide an easily replicated look to use. Tierra Pressley, a senior in biology, said she would go Grecian to save money on a costume. “I think it’s a creative way to make a costume and not have to spend a lot of money,” Pressley said. “It’s easy to just use a bed sheet as a toga and it can be a lot of fun.” A white bed sheet can also be used for a classic ghost costume. Hey, if Paranormal Activity 3 can do it
and make it creepy, so can you. Another option for the guys that isn’t out of a horror movie is the nerd get-up. Suspenders, large-frame glasses and some k ha k i s yanked up past the belly-button give that instant geek look. These represent just a few of the numerous options there are to create a cost-effective and exciting costume to celebrate the end of October. With just a bit of ingenuity and a creative mind, there exist plenty of ways to dress appropriately for Halloween.
Seniors look to go out with a bang Pack takes on Duke at home in their final game of the season. See page 8.
Fall harvest brings forth fresh recipes Despite the turning of the leaves, the farmers market is still full of seasonal flavor. See page 6.
Spotted in the Brickyard
Outstanding fashion seen on students who were in the Brickyard. See page 5.
photo contributed by Sustainable health enterprises
Pads made out of banana leaves save women in developing countries from missing work due to menstruation. The banana leaf material, after much work, becomes extremely absorbent and makes a very strong and secure pad.
Humanitarian, researchers address overlooked menstruation troubles in developing countries Viewpoint Cartoon
Cartoon comments on the UNC Donut Dash. See page 4.
Head of Sustainable Health Enterprises partners with N.C. State to develop low-cost menstrual pads. Mark Herring
viewpoint features classifieds sports
4 5 7 8
Features Editor
Elizabeth Scharpf worked with the World Bank as a graduate student in Mozambique and while on an assignment at a bag factory, she was shocked to hear 20 percent of the factory workers missed 30 days a year. In Moza mbique a nd around the developing world, women lose an average of five years of work and
schooling due to menstruation. The problem seemed so foreign to her, she didn’t know how to react without confusion and frustration. “My job that summer was to talk to different businesses and entrepreneur to make their businesses more efficient. When I found out that pads cost more than a day’s worth of wages and women would go home in embarrassment, I was just darn right pissed off,” Scharpf said. “I harnessed that energy and made sure I did something about it.” Si nce t hat i ncident, Scharpf has spent the last three years developing Sustainable Health Enter-
prises [SHE] to address the issue of lack of pads and female products for women on their period in developing countries. Scharpf spearheaded her project to develop altnerative pads for women in Rwanda, a central African country that has a 20 percent tax on menstrual pads, making them unaffordable for many women. Scharpf’s goal for SHE is to finance self-sustaining businesses in developing countries that can provide solutions to the public health needs. In many countries, women use rags instead of menstrual pads and Scharpf is now work-
ing on designing a business plan that produces and sells pads for women by women. “The amount of foreign aid that has been poured into Africa in the last five years is astounding,” Scharpf said. “In total, it has been $2.3 trillion. If we want to make a change, we can’t just address it with money.” While on the ground in Rwanda, Scharpf and material science students from MIT found potential in banana stalk fibers for pad production. Scharpf contacted Med Byrd, director of applied research in forest
Menstr. continued page 3
OC TOBER 26-31 ncsu.edu/bookstore
Regularly priced apparel, accessories, gifts and novelties
While supplies last, not valid with any other offers or coupons. Excludes textbooks, yearbooks, computers and computer accessories, software, diploma frames, class rings, ClassWatches, gift cards, stamps, special orders. See store for details