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

An Effie Army at the Catching Fire Capitol Costume Competition

The Hunger Games UK held a Capitol Costume Competition on Sunday, March 16th in honor of the UK release of The Hunger Games: Catching Fire on March 17th. They requested that fans turn up at Marylebone Station dressed in their Capitol finest in order to win prizes and a chance at a pair of tickets to the Mockingjay Part 1 premiere in November. Check out all of the incredible Effies! We'll update you here when the winner is announced.

Here are the Capitol Costume Competition invite details:

The Capitol requests your presence at a very important event. Dress up in your finest Capitol Couture and join us at Marylebone Station from 11.15am on the 16th March. Bring honour to your District by arriving in your Panem finery and you could win prizes fit for President Snow himself.

Take inspiration from your favourite Victors and bring their style to life with your attire. Pink wigs, butterfly eyelashes and shiny suits are all encouraged, so grab your prep team and get ready to impress us. The Capitol will assess your outfit, and the best dressed citizen will win a pair of tickets to the Mockingjay premiere later this year.

We’ll also be holding a reaping for many more Hunger Games prizes.

Bring pride to Panem and, as always, may the odds be ever in your favour!

Follow HungerGamesUK on twitter to get the latest.