Delta Beta Chi celebrates Dia de los Muertos with memory boxes
By Brittany Fuentes | Published October 28, 2022
Dia de Los Muertos or Day of the Dead is a holiday that originated in Mexico, meant as a celebration to honor the dead.
This tradition was established to rejoice and remember friends and family that have passed away as a way to continue to celebrate them. Celebrations typically begin on Nov. 1 and can extend up to a week, depending on where it is celebrated.
The event, Dia De Los Muertos Memory Boxes, hosted by the Sigma Beta Chi Sorority is a way to commemorate Dia de los Muertos as well as Hispanic Heritage Month. It is a way to contribute to the sorority’s mission and theme for the year, “Unidos: Inclusivity for a Stronger Nation”.
The event was introduced by Rebecca Blaier, Sigma Beta Chi’s president, in hopes of celebrating one of her favorite holidays with others. Along with spreading awareness about the cultural traditions that come with Dia de los Muertos.
“The purpose of this event is to educate others on a holiday that is important and recognizable to many Hispanics,” Blaier said. “Not only will they understand the significance and history of Día de los Muertos, but they will also be introduced to ways that they can celebrate as someone who may or may not be Hispanic.”
The event started off with a brief presentation by Blaier, educating the attendees about Dia de los Muertos and how and why it is celebrated in Mexico. She focused on highlighting the cultural significance of the holiday.
The presentation included ways in which people can celebrate the holiday and honor their loved ones in a respectful manner even if they have no cultural ties to Dia de los Muertos.
“This event aims to help others start a tradition within their family to honor their loved ones on this holiday and engage in conversations about Día de los Muertos,” Blaier said.
Participants received sugar skull boxes that they could decorate to their liking with stickers and other Dia de los Muertos decorations provided by Sigma Beta Chi.
Students were asked to bring pictures of loved ones they wished to honor along with any items or artifacts they wanted to include in their boxes. They were also encouraged to write messages for their loved ones.
“I enjoyed it because on my busy day, I get to sit and think and reflect on someone I love. I recently lost someone close to me and it’s a nice way to commemorate them and think of them,” says Gina Marconi, a member of the Delta Phi Epsilon sorority.
Participants were able to sit and bond as they engaged in conversations about their loved ones and the person they chose to commemorate.
Celebrating cultural events are inclusive to all people from different cultures that come from different places. It’s also a great opportunity for students to expand the knowledge that they receive while they attend university.
“It is a diverse community and college is meant to broaden our perspectives and our knowledge of different cultures. Events like these are inclusive to everyone who is here on campus, it’s a great way to connect us all,” says Elizabeth Molfetto, a member of the Delta Phi Epsilon sorority.