Winter 2016
How to Succeed in the Convention Costume Contest
AH, so you chose to participate in
the costume contest at state convention this
year, huh? Your first time, I hear? WELL
NEVER FEAR, YOU YOUNG
OVERACHIEVER. I, too, was in your position
once, and am here to set straight all the
confusion surrounding such a weird and
nerdy contest. Use this handy-dandy 5-step
guide to succeeding in the state JCL
Convention costume contest!
1. RESEARCH: You've found what the
contest characters are for this year, but
what’s next? Study up on your character;
know their family and the myths that they
are in as well as different ways mythology
writers have described the way they look.
Don't forget to have a typed bibliography
of your sources for pre-judging!
2. PLAN: Draw out how your costume is
going to look. Who cares if you're the worst
Hali Clark in her Circe costume at the 2015 OJCL Convention
artist on this side of Olympus? This is just to
know how to make a life size chariot while staying under
have a plan of
the $40 max? Google and craft store employees are godwhat you want
sends. Be sure to focus on that $40 limit, & if you're
your costume
interested in taking this beauty to nationals, keep your
to look like.
receipts!
You are scored
4. WORK: Procrastination is your worst enemy here as the
on knowledge
deadline begins to sneak up on you. This is when I follow
of Roman &
the advice of my hero Shia Labeouf, "Just do it!" Dive in
Greek clothing
and don't stop, even when your sewing machine isn't
styles as well.
working and your toga is making you think "tog-uhh, why
Take all that
did I decide to do this." It's a rough and long experience
you researched
that takes practice and patience. You may want to give up
and slap it on
half way through and throw away your sad attempt at a
your design
tunica. Don't. Because if you do, you'll miss out on my
(Zeus would
favorite step...
have a
lightning bolt,
5. PRESENT AND WIN: You did it! You made it to
Artemis would
convention with a semi-whole costume with some beads
h a v e d e e r,
falling off here and there. You make the long and
etc.).
empowering (or humiliating) walk to your judging room in
your costume for all of the JCL to see. You stand there, in
3. S H O P :
front of those serious judges, open your mouth and
Hobby Lobby
present. It has all come down to this. Woo them with your
and Michael's
Hali
Clark
in
her
Eos
costume
at
the
astute research and explanation of materials, but try not to
will become
2014
OJCL
Convention
mention the hours you spent crying over a hot glue gun or
your best friend
rolls of different colored fabric. This is your time to shine.
in this arduous endeavor. Never sewed before? Want to
know the best way to glue rhinestones on fabric? Don't
GOOD LUCK AND HAPPY COSTUMING!
By Hali Clark, Summit
XVI