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WHS students create ofrendas and pan de merto in celebration of Día de Muertos ("Day of the Dead")

Student creations bring traditional Mexican celebration into the classroom

November 06, 2018

WHS Spanish students pose with their homemade pan de muerto, a traditional bread baked in Mexico during the weeks leading up to the Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead).

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WHS Spanish students pose with their homemade pan de muerto, a traditional bread baked in Mexico during the weeks leading up to the Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead).

WHS Spanish students took ¨Día de Muertos,¨ or Day of the Dead, to the next level. 

Día de Muertos is celebrated in Latin American cultures, but predominantly in Mexico. It is celebrated November 1 and 2. The celebration is one that brings family together in order to remember loved ones that have passed away. 

During the annual celebration, families create ¨ofrendas¨ or altars in order to honor their deceased family members. The ofrendas are made up of many different items including marigolds, photos, candles, papel picado and pan de muerto. 

The students pictured above made ¨pan de muerto,¨ or dead bread, which is also traditionally made to help celebrate the Day of the Dead. Their breads were very sweet and had different flavors including cinnamon and orange zest. 

The Spanish II classes competed in the 2nd Annual ofrenda contest. Some of their ofrendas are pictured below.

"The students had to bring photos and belongings of loved ones and creatively build their own ofrendas," stated WHS Spanish Instructor Alexandra Munch. "They all worked incredibly hard and outdid all expectations. It is a fun way to bring culture into our school!"