Schaumburg teens brave rain to pursue Halloween treats
Never underestimate a teenager's commitment to candy.
While Saturday's foul weather kept many trick-or-treaters indoors, it didn't deter a spirited septet of Schaumburg 12- and 13-year-olds who spent at least part of Halloween huddled under umbrellas in the Park St. Claire subdivision, scurrying from one house to the next in pursuit of sweets.
"Any holiday where we get candy is the best. Candy and a costume - it's all good," said Claire Liberio, 13, who, like her friend Olivia Awdzijczyk, 13, was dressed as a Northern Illinois University cheerleader.
"It's all about the sweet tooth," Claire said.
The rain forced Saanji Shah, 12, to cover up her Cookie Monster costume with a jacket and Liz Gomberg, 12, to shield her policewoman's badge with a lime green hoodie.
"Under here I'm a vampire," said 12-year-old Anna Fradlin, pointing to her raincoat.
At least it wasn't as bad as last year, when the friends had to wear coats and blankets, they said.
The girls, who attend Lincoln Prairie School in Hoffman Estates, say their parents wanted them to trick-or-treat at Woodfield Mall.
They overruled that idea, said ninja Maddi Celarek, 13.
Olivia Messenges proposed a solution to the bad weather that so often bedevils Halloween revelers.
"They should make Halloween in the summer," opined Messenges, 13, whose devil costume came with sparkly red horns.
If only.