Modesto area teens discuss how old is too old to trick-or-treat

Trick-or-treating is an American tradition.

As kids, we wait all year for Halloween, the one time a year we can eat as much candy as we want without getting into too much trouble. But as children grow older, many argue that youngster should give up the treasured ritual of dressing up and going door to door to collect candy in a pillowcase.

Some believe it's time to stop when you reach high school. Among them is Jenny Ryan, a senior at Beyer. "I feel like in high school, more people go to Halloween parties than trick-or-treating," she said.

Others believe that trick-or-treating can be stretched a bit longer. Thomas Dempsey, a senior at Oakdale High, thinks that the age limit on trick-or-treating comes well after high school. "Twenty-one, because by then, one should be able to throw excellent Halloween parties," Thomas said.

Then there are those who believe that trick-or-treating should be called quits well before high school.

"Teenagers shouldn't stop celebrating Halloween, but when they get to be in junior high, they should leave the door-to-door activity to younger children," said Maddie Rodrigues, an Oakdale High School graduate.

Finally, there's the school of thought that no age limit exists. "As long as you're a kid at heart, you're never too old," said Oakdale High senior Shawn Ward.

He's not the only high school student who believes it's up to individuals to choose the right time to retire the pillow case.

Austin Autrey, also an Oakdale senior, said, "Whenever your heart loses the desire, that is the time to stop trick-or-treating."

With so many opinions, it is impossible to pinpoint the right age to stop trick-or-treating. However, these opinions do let us know that no matter the exact form of celebration, whether it be trick-or-treating or attending a party, Halloween is a great holiday to celebrate.

Katelyn Roudebush is a senior at Oakdale High School and a member of The Bee's Teens in the Newsroom program.