By Tara Fischer

Staff Writer

An Ocean Pines resident is seeking votes to advance to the next round in a spooky, Halloween-themed contest that raises funds for hospitalized children, offers $13,000 in prize money, and provides the opportunity to meet Hollywood icon Jamie Lee Curtis.

Local Janet Stephenson has advanced through a series of six rounds of the fundraising competition Face of Halloween, showcasing her expertise in frightening special effects makeup and costuming. Stephenson continues to secure enough votes to advance to the subsequent stage each week. There are three elimination cycles left, with the contest concluding on Oct. 31.

The winner will be crowned the “Face of Halloween” and will have contributed to the Starlight Children’s Foundation. This charity supplies toys, elevated hospital clothing, and gaming systems to seriously ill children. The victor will also get $13,000 for themselves, and will be flown to Los Angeles to meet Jamie Lee Curtis, a sponsor of the frightening competition.

The online event began on Aug. 25. Each round is designated by a name, like “The Quarter-Final Massacre.” Contestants post their Halloween-themed special effects makeup looks on Facebook, where supporters can vote for the most impressive and scary costumes. Votes can be made for free or monetarily. Stephenson said that an individual can make a $25 donation to benefit the Starlight Children’s Foundation, which would translate to 25 votes.

The current round began on Oct. 6 and will end on Oct. 16. Stephenson has advanced to this stage, grouped with 15 other competitors. The top half will move on to the next cycle and will vie for the chance to break into the finals. The Ocean Pines resident is seeking votes to avoid elimination.

While Stephenson would love the chance to meet actress Curtis, her true mission is to raise money for a noble cause. She said that her goal is to accumulate $10,000 for the children’s charity. The Eastern Shore contestant is asking friends, family, and residents to think about donating votes for her Face of Halloween campaign.

“If you haven’t made your 2025 charitable contribution, please consider the Starlight Children’s Foundation,” she said. “The mission is spreading joy to seriously ill kids through toy deliveries, fun hospital wear, gaming, and more.”

Stephenson added that last year, the gory makeup competition, then called Colossal Face of Horror, raised over $2.4 million, according to Adam Garone, the CEO of the Starlight Children’s Foundation.

“It’s truly a win–win: the kids receive happiness and hope, and if I’m lucky enough to win, I’ll get to fly to L.A. to meet Jamie Lee Curtis and receive $13,000 — which I plan to use to give back, throw a big Halloween celebration in 2026, and, yes, take care of a few bills along the way,” Stephenson noted.

Stephenson has always had an interest in Halloween-inspired hobbies, she said. Currently, in addition to being employed full-time in the Worcester County Tourism and Economic Development office, she works for Chesapeake Ghost Tours, conducting walking tours and sharing spooky stories. She began exploring special effects makeup and face painting about five years ago, during the COVID-19 pandemic, and has continued to hone her skills.

“I’ve posted pictures of my face, and people are always asking me, ‘Is that AI?’ And I’m like, no, that’s me,” the Face of Halloween-hopeful said. “I’m an artist. I use face brushes, sponges, face paint, and special effect makeup. I use latex to make myself look like I’m bleeding or flesh peeling off my skin. I use bald caps. I can turn myself into anything, whether it be cute and pretty or ugly and disgusting.”

Now, she is using these chilling capabilities to give back to a good cause.

Stephenson has long been passionate about fundraising. In the early 2000s, she and 25 other women raised $125,000 for the breast cancer awareness nonprofit, Susan G. Komen.

Stephenson asks that supporters visit her Facebook page to make a donation to the Starlight Children’s Foundation and vote for her artistry. The page can be accessed by scanning the QR code.