Cerritos College has many fine, longstanding traditions, each with a history of dignity, honor and pride . . . the annual Halloween costume contest is not one of those.

Only about a dozen students entered the Parade of Ghouls this past Tuesday, with their frightful alter egos competing in different categories such as:

? Scariest costume,? Funniest outfit,? Best creature and ? Best group.

The contestants were brought out onto the stage one by one and given a chance to try to explain themselves with a minimum of drool.

After a short Q & A session, the best costumes were selected by audience applause.

The winners took home such prizes as portable radios, movie passes and a $50 Cerritos Bookstore shopping certificate.

The event was held courtesy of the Associated Students Government on the stage in front of the music department.

According to most students who attended, the audience was attracted to the event by the live DJ playing such classic Halloween hits as “The Monster Mash” and “Flying Purple People-Eater” but stayed put for the free Arby’s burgers and Pepsi.

Winners James Pino, the Short Alien and Lydia Cappola, the Dead Bride, were the best part of the show, cutting up the crowd by getting down and dirty to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.”