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How I used my brother to get Halloween candy

Dressing+up+in+matching+costumes+can+help+in+your+trick+or+treating+endeavors+
Dressing up in matching costumes can help in your trick or treating endeavors

They say the first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem.  Well, I, Jessica Gross, have a problem.  I am completely and utterly addicted to Halloween.

I love everything about it: the costumes, the decorations… and especially the candy.  I am the sibling who waited until my brothers and sister had their backs turned and their bags unattended and promptly shoveled fistfuls of their treats from their shiny plastic pumpkin into mine.  And then proceeded to con them out of more when the inevitable candy trading began.  And to this day, at sixteen years old, my cavity-spawning habits have yet to stop.

There are few benefits to being the oldest, but I’ve come up with one rather creative way to take advantage of my situation.  My youngest brother, Jack, is eight years old and utterly adorable.  And so, naturally, I shamelessly abuse his youth and his need for a chaperone as an excuse to take him trick-or-treating, and fill up my pillowcase as much as I possibly can.  This year, I even took it a step further.  I’ve got two words for you.

Matching. Costumes.

It was genius.  I don’t know how I didn’t think of it before.  A flapper to match his 1920s gangster.  What’s cuter than a teenage girl taking her sweet little brother around Compo?  Nothing.

The awws I got from parents and grandparents as I reminded my brother to say please and thank you and wish them a Happy Halloween were sweet.

But not as sweet as my victory.

My only concern is for the future. He’s already getting a little grown up to be trick-or-treating with his sister… What’s going to happen when he outgrows the holiday?  I wonder how old my neighbors’ kids are…

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About the Contributor
Jessica Gross, A&E Editor
Most kids might shy away from new experiences and dread trying something they’ve never done before, but not Jessica Gross ’15. “I’m totally open to new things,” said Gross, “Actually, I love trying new things.” And it makes perfect sense. The A&E Page Editor has lived in Hong Kong, been to Paris to see a rock concert, and even attended a Berklee College summer program for the performing arts. While she indulges her passion for performing arts through her involvement in Staples Players and her love for journalism in Inklings, Gross’ guilty pleasure is baking. Whether it’s for friends, family, teammates or co-workers, she is always able to put her own spin on any traditional treat. And it’s not just her friends who take note of her knack for baking; even her boss at the restaurant she works at has remarked on her talent, adding a dessert special to his menu featuring Gross’ homemade cookies and brownies. She has even ventured as far as making mini key lime pies, a favorite on the menu. When someone has so many different passions, it’s hard to pick their proudest moment. However, Gross’ came to mind easily: “My band and I opened up for Paul Simon at a concert,” she said, “it was incredible.” Gross is actually the lead singer for that band, created at the School of Rock in Fairfield. Few musicians were invited to join the band at School of Rock, only those with rare talent made the cut. Whether it is finding an interesting topic to cover for Inklings, practicing with her band to get the best sound, or even baking a delicious snack, Gross does it all with flair. So as she embarks on her senior year, take note of her name, because who knows, Jessica Gross might be headlining a tour, opening up a bakery, or even writing for The New York Times in the near future.

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