El Centro and the Alba Club celebrated Dia De Muertos on Wednesday Nov. 5 in the Student Center with the help of the Promise Plus Program volunteers to remember friends and family who have passed.
Dia De Muertos, otherwise known as “Day of the Dead,” is a two-day holiday that originates from both Indigenous and Mexican cultures. The holiday is to remember loved ones who have passed and welcome them by leaving photos and their favorite items for them to spiritually cross over to the land of the living.
El Centro, the new building for Latinidad students and the Alba Club, a recently developed Latino club, joined forces to put together the event to allow anyone on campus to eat traditional Mexican food, get their face painted and create their own flower crowns. In addition, there were also singers and traditional Folklorico dancers present to show off their talents.
There were different ofrendas placed around the room, each from a different Mt. SAC program. For example, the DREAM program honored their families whom they are inspired by. In addition to the El Centro ofrenda, they honored individuals who lost their lives in ICE detention centers. Although the individuals were not connected to Mt. SAC, El Centro staff members commented that it was important to highlight them.
However, Mt. SAC student Kristina Moreno had her very own ofrenda she presented in addition to a timeline of important Chicano historical events.
“On my ofrenda I have my great grandparents on my mom’s side and my great grandma on my dad’s side,” Moreno said. “I also have my Tia and family [friend] members who we consider family. I left a bunch of flower petals to represent the pathway for them to come back and visit us.”
“As a community we should get together more often to share the knowledge of our people and share our diversity,” Isabella Galvez, member of Alba Club, said.
Galvez was also a singer showcased during the event where she sang “Fotos y Recuerdos” (Pictures and Memories) by Selena Quintanilla, a Mexican-American singer who was honored on their ofrenda.
Although Galvez is Peruvanian, she still shares how she believes it is important to learn about other cultures.
“For me to get to know the culture, I just fell in love,” Galvez said. “They were the first people to hug me when I needed it the most. They were the most kind and thoughtful and dedicated like familia.”
El Centro’s next event will be the Finding Hermanas event on Nov. 18 in building 16F from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. where women and feminine identifying people can gather and meet new people. For more information on the Alba Club, you can locate their Instagram for meeting information on upcoming events.
