Last Tuesday, Buena High School came alive with color, culture and community as students celebrated Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). The event, organized mainly by the Spanish classes, filled the campus with music, food and art honoring the Mexican tradition of remembering loved ones who have passed away. The atmosphere was bright and festive, with students and teachers stopping by the various booths, taking pictures and enjoying the warm, welcoming spirit that filled the air.
Sidsel Feddersen, sophomore exchange student from Denmark, shared her excitement about taking part in the event. Feddersen said she was “amazed” by how much effort and creativity the Buena students had put into making the celebration special.
“We do not usually have school events like this in Denmark or in most of Europe,” Fedderson said. “It’s amazing to experience something so colorful and meaningful together,” Feddersen said.
For her, the celebration was not only fun, but also a way to learn more about other cultures and their way of remembering loved ones who have passed away.
The Spanish students set up creative booths showcasing traditional decorations like colorful papel picado, sugar skulls and beautiful ofrendas (altars). Each display told a story about the meaning behind this special holiday and gave students a chance to explain the symbolism to visitors. Some ofrendas honored family members, while others were dedicated to famous figures from Latin American history.
One of the hosting Spanish teachers, Steven Perfect, spoke very positively about the celebration.
“I have my own shrine at home, and I think it’s wonderful to honor family in this way,” Perfect said. “It is great to see students embracing traditions that mean so much to so many people around the world.”
Of course, no celebration is complete without food. There were several food stands offering delicious Latin American dishes and snacks. Jacob Del Rio, a student who helped manage the cash register for the food sales, said he “really enjoyed being part of the event.”
Students and teachers alike agreed that the event was a huge success. The Día de los Muertos celebration not only brought the Buena community together but also reminded everyone of the beauty of cultural diversity and the importance of honoring those who came before us through color, creativity and connection.
