The Latin American Student Organization hosted their annual Día de los Muertos event to honor and remember lost relatives.

On the Mt. Clef patio, the event offered free tacos, a sermon from the Rev. Scott Adams and attendees could paint their own sugar skulls. There were traditional Latin American treats served as well as an ofrenda present for students to honor their loved ones who have passed on. Champurrado, a warm and thick chocolate beverage made with masa and milk, conchas, colorful sweet bread, and Paleta Payaso, marshmallow lollipops, were complimentary to attendees.

Wendy Carrillo-Garcia, vice president of LASO, said how much the event meant to her and the school.

“A lot of our board, for example, is made up of Latin American students who celebrate and come from a culture where Día de los Muertos is celebrated, so we just really wanted this to be fun for students to remember their loved ones,” Carrillo-Garcia said.

LASO President Yuliana Montes said the holiday meant more to her this year. 

“Recently I had a loved one pass, so this day actually means a lot more to me now,” Montes said. “So I wanted to put a ton of effort into it and, you know, just to have everyone feel like they’re comfortable, able to remember their loved ones that passed.”

The annual event has been a LASO tradition for many years.  

“Former Pastor Hazel would be the one that would actually coordinate all of this. She left, but thanks to her we have a little guidebook that helped us plan it together,” Carrillo-Garcia said. 

Montes thought the planning of the event went smoothly and was a great effort made by LASO and their members.

“I’m really grateful for everybody on the cabinet, as well as the members. Even if they aren’t on cabinet they are so awesome,” Montes said. “We try to make them feel very included and I want to make sure everyone is able to do something.”

Montes also said LASO members had the opportunity to make the papel picado.

The chapel reached out to Montes about making them an ofrenda and, instead of having the ofrenda at the chapel, Adams came to give a sermon. Secretary of LASO Laura Flores said she enjoyed the addition of Adams to the event and that it made the event more powerful.

“I really enjoyed partnering with Rev. Scott,” Flores said. “I think that the ceremony that he gave was beautiful and really helped bring the spiritual part of this event.” 

Flores said that she did not know what to expect for the turnout, but was pleasantly surprised at the improvement compared to last year.

“We only had 100 food tickets. The food didn’t start until 6 and by 5:20 we had already sold out of all of our food tickets,” Flores said. “We didn’t know what to expect, but we definitely know for next year that through good promoting and marketing and everything and just connecting with other partners on campus, we can really put together a really nice event.”

Flores said that the addition of free food was a good sell for the event and that LASO is planning on adding more food next time.

Adams ended his sermon with a quote from “Winnie the Pooh” to sum up the importance of remembrance and the celebration of Día de los Muertos.

“When there ever comes the day when we can’t be together. Keep me in your heart and I’ll stay there forever,” Adams said.