Day of the Dead celebrated at Albion Middle School

Ofrenda, crafts among activities as school welcomes Mexican tradition

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Albion eighth-grader Tra’Monie Walker and Spanish teacher Casey Flynn pause and reflect at an ofrenda during a Day of the Dead family night at the Albion Middle School.

The school hosted its first Day of the Dead observance. The Mexican Day of the Dead Celebration is a time of joyful remembrance of deceased loved ones, filled with an array of colors, scents, sounds and stories.

Josefino Paz (right), an ESL teacher at Albion, created the ofrenda in the school library. Paz made the display in memory of his late siblings, Felipe and Vicente.

An ofrenda is an altar created in Mexican homes to welcome the returning souls. An ofrenda typically features candles, wild marigolds, incense, photographs, mementos and loved ones’ favorite foods like fruit, tortillas, tamales, chocolate and bread.

Alondra Hernandez Rodriguez painted her face like a skull, a common tradition on the Day of the Dead. The face-painting represents a deceased loved one.

The middle school cafeteria hosted several activities to celebrate Día de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead.

Brad Pritchard, the middle school principal, the school district has an increasing number of ELL students or English language learners who are learning to be fluent in English. The school wanted to make those students and their families feel welcome, and also host a fun family activity that was open to the entire school community.

“We want everyone to feel comfortable coming into the school,” Pritchard said.

Daisy Brave-Lopez, a seventh-grader, works on a flag in the middle school cafeteria. About 60 people attended the day of the Dead celebration in the evening.

Sophie Kozody , seventh-grader, decorates a sugar skull.