Tuesday, October 29 was Placer High School’s Día de los Muertos Celebration organized by the Spanish department and leadership.  

Placer High School prides itself on celebrating all different cultures. Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a Mexican holiday where families welcome their deceased loved ones back into the world of the living for a brief holiday. Often, these celebrations honor the dead with music, dancing, drinks, and lots and lots of food. 

The Day of the Dead event at Placer was no different. From the moment guests walked into the event, stunning decorations greeted them. Marigold flowers, papel picado (intricately cut paper banners), and candles adorned the area, creating a happy and festive ambiance. A traditional altar, or ofrenda, was adorned with flowers, pictures, and objects, honoring the deceased with their favorite treats and mementos.  These details created an authentic feel, transporting attendees to the heart of the Mexican tradition. 

Our día de los Muertos event is organized by the Spanish department, leadership, and vault.

Mrs. Susana Muñoz, a Spanish teacher and organizer of the Day of the Dead event, said, “Ms. Uno, Vault and Leadership are the most important parts of the Fiesta. They coordinate all the activities.”

 This holiday has been celebrated at Placer for 5-6 years now, quickly becoming a beloved tradition. 

“This is an event all people young and old love,” said Senora Muñoz.

One of the highlights of the event was the food. ‘Mi Tierra Taqueria’ or My Taqueria Land was the catering. This taqueria happens to be Placer’s own Mrs. Alejandra Rodriguez’s family restaurant. 

Muñoz called the catering “the best Mexican food.”

Senora Muñoz also believes the food and musicians are the heart of the event. Music is a universal language; you do not need to speak Spanish to enjoy it. 

A mariachi band was hired for the event. Reagan Browning, a sophomore and attendee, said the band was her favorite part of the night. Muñoz said that the mariachi music makes the entire event much more fun. 

Not just music, but dancing is important to the tradition. 

“All ages like to dance,” said Muñoz.

In the end, dancing brought the Day of the Dead alive. Some women even dressed up as the classic Catrina to honor the dead. The flower crowns and long dresses fit the event’s energy and were perfect for spinning and twirling. 

Everyone loved the traditional activities available. Little ones could decorate festive decorations, make bracelets, color, or even get their hair braided, all for free. That’s right, all the activities and admission were 100% free. 

“It was good to see all the little kids get all happy when making a cat or something,” said Olivia Ornelas, a freshman and volunteer at the decorations-making table. 

Lexi Barnes, a leadership volunteer at the event, agreed it was “nice to see everyone getting out and having fun.”

The entire event was not only fun, but served a purpose. The event aimed to make students at Placer High School feel more connected to tradition and like they belong. Muñoz thinks the event is the perfect way to connect two cultures, American and Mexican, in a positive way.

“After seeing all of the culture and tradition going on, it helped me get a better understanding of the event,” said Olivia Ornelas. 

“My favorite part of Dia de los Muertos at PHS is the feeling of belonging, service, and community. We come to celebrate diversity at PHS and we hope that it will grow to be an important event to unite the High School with the community and families,” stated Muñoz.

This event is very important to the community of Placer. Muñoz says that it is one of the best Día de los Muertos events around Auburn. And it would be even more fun if more people participated. 

Olivia says that the event is low-key. It is a great way to learn about the “really cool culture and traditions”. She thinks that more people should come because you can “just show up”. Plus, there is something for everyone, whether it is music, crafts, food, or family.

“I hope that students continue to spread the word,” said Senora Muñoz. “They feel that they belong and they do community service at the same time.”