Phoenix High School Hosts Día de los Muertos Event for Elementary Students

Elementary school students from Phoenix and Orchard Hill Elementary schools learned about the history and significance of Día de los Muertos at an educational event hosted by Phoenix High School’s Latino Student Union on Thursday afternoon. Fifth graders participated in activities including face-painting, drawing, making headbands, and storytelling, while a culturally appropriate ofrenda was displayed at the school.

The event, organized by Phoenix High School counselor Angelica Lepe and the Latino Student Union, aimed to educate students and empower them to celebrate their roots, as the local Latino population is estimated at 42% to 43%. The celebration featured an ofrenda, a decorated altar set up to honor deceased loved ones, and focused on presenting the tradition respectfully, without turning it into a caricature.

Phoenix High School hosts elementary students for Dia de los Muertos event

Students Learn About Sugar Skulls

Elementary students were split into groups and led by Latino Student Union members through various activities to learn about the holiday. They learned about the significance of sugar skulls, a staple of the tradition, through coloring and face painting. The LSU students also helped the elementary students craft headbands out of paper marigolds, the traditional flower that guides souls to altars. The event was designed to teach the cultural significance of Día de los Muertos, which is traditionally celebrated on November 1-2 in different ways across Latin America.

Organizer’s Perspective

Angelica Lepe, a counselor at Phoenix High and the main organizer, emphasized the importance of honoring Latino students and encouraging them to embrace their culture. It creates a sense of belonging, said Lepe. We are at about a 43% Latino population, so making sure we are honoring them and encouraging them to embrace their culture is super important. She noted that the event has grown since its inception, starting with staff and expanding to include student partnerships with elementary schools.

Phoenix High School Hosts Día de los Muertos Event for Elementary Students — Photo: kobi5.com

Students Embrace Their Roots

Lepe expressed pride in the Latino Student Union students who have embraced the event and played a major role in organizing and running it. I’ve seen a lot of students, especially through the same generation of older siblings, come through LSU, be super empowered about embracing their roots, and then they continue to college, which is pretty cool to see their leadership skills evolve throughout high school, she said. The event, which began four or five years ago after an assistant principal at Phoenix High became principal of Orchard Hill Elementary, has seen increasing participation and admiration from the community. It’s really nice to see how it’s growing, and people are more knowledgeable about the tradition, and also looking forward to it around this time of the year, Lepe added.