NEWS EDITOR – ASHTON JEFFERS
ORIGINALLY PRINTED ON NOV 28, 2022
Colorful ofrendas and papel picado decorated Alkek Plaza on Thursday, Nov. 3, where St. Mary’s University held a Día de Los Muertos celebration hosted by St. Mary’s University Department of Music. Día de Los Muertos is a holiday typically celebrated during Nov. 1-2 across the United States and Latin America, where family members and patrons create ofrendas (offerings). They decorate them with yellow or orange marigold flowers (cempasúchil), photos of loved ones that have passed away, food and drinks that were beloved by said loved one, and even objects that serve as reminders to surviving family and friends of the departed. San Antonio hold selveral events celebrating Dia de Los Muertos in the city, each with its own set of unique traditions and activities.
Visitors enjoyed performances by several student musical groups throughout the event, including Mariachi Cascabel, the mariachi student performing ensemble at St. Mary’s. Not only did the students participate by practicing pieces to perform for the campus, but as a student organization, they sold Mexican candies for one dollar to raise money for their organization. Junior Computer Science and Application major, Sophia Rodriguez, shared her experience at the event and participated as a member and president of Mariachi Cascabel. “The event was so beautiful and there was a lot of hard work along with all the musicians performing,” she stated. “It was a lot of running around to get things put together from the music department and RSO (Recognized Student Organizations) groups. I loved the event even if it was tiring it was all worth it, in the end, to see everyone having fun.”
Other students also recognized the hustle and bustle of event planning and the balance of participation while hoping everything went well. “As someone involved with representing student musicians in the Dia de Los Muertos event, it means a lot to me because I’m putting myself out there and showing my skills,” Sophomore Music Instrumental Performance major Andrew Thomas reported. Thomas is a Mariachi trumpet player that performed almost the entire time at the event, stealing the spotlight with an incredible solo. “I played in four Ensembles: the Rattler Band, Mariachi, Wind Ensemble and Jazz Band. I had a great time playing in all four.”
Other RSOs were present during the event, selling food, drinks and other items to raise money for their organizations and other events each of them would like to plan and hold for future semesters. These organizations included, but certainly not limited to: Enactus, STMU Women’s Affairs Council, STMU Theology Club, Student Health Occupations of America (HOSA), STMU Student Educators Association for Dynamic Leadership (SEAL), University Programming Council (UPC), and several fraternities and sororities who all worked to support the event and come out to represent their organizations. Students could enjoy free pan de dulce from the UPC table and pair it with their choice of agua fresca from the SEAL table. If you weren’t looking for something sweet, there were also opportunities to grab a tamale plate from one of the RSO tables. Enactus sold bracelets, partnering with Mayan Hands to support Fair Trade and women in Guatemala by donating their funds to communities in Guatemala and their Shanti Project. The STMU Women’s Affairs Council sold handmade earrings by one of their members and stickers to support their future events.
In the middle of all the RSO tables, ofrendas allowed patrons to leave photos of their loved ones and gifts that were treasured by those who have passed. Standing out were the photos of the 21 victims of the Robb Elementary shooting in Uvalde, the ofrenda decorated in cempasúchil and sunflowers, the latter being Lexi Rubio’s favorite given from those at Lexi’s Legacy Run held on campus by Teresa Van Hoy along with the Rubio family prior to the Día de Los Muertos celebration. Día de Los Muertos at St. Mary’s has reminded the students, faculty, staff and family members that the presence of community is strong and that during these moments, they can feel the presence of even those who have long since passed.