Effie Trinket Cosplayer Surprises Kids at Mississippi School

All photos CHRISTOPHER BOSTICK/SUN HERALD

It's been a LOOONG time, but I don't remember my elementary school doing anything this cool. Ocean Springs Upper Elementary in Ocean Springs, MS invited the cosplaying father/daughter team of Jeff and Cami Roebuck to the school Friday dressed as Marvel Comics' Agent Phil Coulson and The Hunger Games' Effie Trinket (in an amazing replica of the butterfly dress from Catching Fire) to promote Free Comic Book Day at 3 Alarm Comics, a local comic book store.

During the annual event on the first Saturday of May, the local comic book industry comes together and gives away comic books to help promote literacy. "Every year, I get to talk about Free Comic Book Day on the announcement," assistant teacher Jason Quaregna said, "and (this year I) wanted to one-up it. So we brought the cosplayers in and the kids got really excited to see it."

"I love making stuff like this," said Jeff Roebuck of MoodHairCosplay, who was dressed as Coulson with a homemade gun prop in hand and a S.H.I.E.L.D. ID badge from the movie. "But the icing on the cake is going out and watching people freak out."

And freak out the students did. The cosplayers conducted a "Hunger Games"-style reaping, and the students received free comic books as their names were drawn. They got to ask the cosplayers questions, then to visit with them during lunch.

"I could feel the students' excitement when Effie came in. You could hear the students' gasps and I think it's just wonderful because it brought the films alive." said Carla McCaleb, assistant principal and sixth-grade administrator.

The Roebucks are no strangers to cosplaying. The veteran family's passion for bringing characters to life has taken them to several comics conventions where they've dressed as many colorful characters.

"I've been cosplaying since I was 7," said Cami, dressed head to toe in a butterfly outfit inspired by The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. Cami even won First Place (as Effie, natch) in The Hunger Games DVD release costume contest.

Via SunHerald.com