Día de los Muertos, also known as Day of the Dead, is traditionally celebrated in Mexican communities to honor and welcome the souls of deceased family members and loved ones.
Traditions of Día de los Muertos include decorating with calaveras (sugar or clay skulls) and marigold flowers known as cempazúchitl. It is believed that the bright color and smell of the marigold flowers help souls return for the day and find their way home.
Celebrations also include building ofrendas (altars) with favorite foods and personal items of the departed and visiting cemeteries in memorial.
The Eastside Community celebrated with the Latino H.E.A.T. 8th Annual Día de los Muertos Ofrenda Contest and Cultural Education on November 8. BSD School Board President Sarrafan and Vice President Watson were in attendance, as well as other students, staff and families from of our BSD community.
Highland Middle School and Stevenson Elementary were among the schools that created ofrendas. Images courtesy of Marta Trilles Ramos and Sima Sarrafan.
Join Brooke Garcia, Clyde Hill’s principal, to learn more about the traditions of Día de los Muertos.
Interlake Students Created Ofrendas to Honor of Influential Hispanic Figures
Students in Sandra Esparza’s Spanish class at Interlake High School created ofrendas to honor and celebrate the lives of influential figures of Hispanic heritage. Among those honored were Frida Kahlo, Diego Maradona, Salvador Dalí, Ellen Ochoa, and Selena Quintanilla.
Puesta del Sol Elementary Honors beloved teacher, Jeanine Medina
Puesta del Sol celebrated Día de los Muertos with an ofrenda in the school library. A Puesta del Sol parent set up the ofrenda for students to see an example of how we honor our loved ones. The ofrenda included photographs of Latinx artists, singers and Señora Medina.
“Puesta del Sol is still healing from the loss of our beloved teacher, Jeanine Medina. She passed away in May from a short battle with leukemia. Sra. Medina was one of the trailblazers of the Spanish immersion program and taught at Puesta del Sol for over 35 years. She was the ‘Sol’ in Puesta del Sol. This ofrenda is a way to honor her legacy as a loving and kind teacher who continues to inspire many students, staff and families in the Bellevue School District.”
– Mónica Wilson, Teacher, Puesta del Sol
