A Día de los Muertos celebration for middle schoolers is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 7, at the Lehi Legacy Center. The event will run from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. and requires students to present a middle or junior high school ID for entry.
The Lehi Cares Coalition is hosting the second annual party in collaboration with Lehi High School's Latinos in Action club and Student Council, as well as Skyridge High School's Lehi Cares Club. Organizers expect the event to surpass last year's attendance of nearly 200 students, with Skyridge club advisor Gig Griffith noting they aim to attract at least 200 more participants. Approximately 30 members from the Skyridge club plan to volunteer by providing face painting, games, and a Latino American pop music mix for dance contests.
Students from the Lehi High School Latinos in Action club will lead the cultural aspects of the evening by sharing Día de los Muertos traditions. Club advisor Jennifer Guiver described the Mexican holiday as a celebration of life, love, and family rather than mourning, noting it allows families to maintain a connection to their ancestors. Gabriela Castro Calderon, vice president of Lehi Latinos in Action, stated the event was conceived because middle schoolers rarely receive events specifically for them. Lehi High School student body president Isaac Vancott noted that the previous year's event allowed younger students to experience Latino culture and make new friends.
The Lehi Cares Coalition is a community coalition sponsored by the Lehi City government. Following the University of Washington's Communities That Care framework, the coalition focuses on preventing youth problem behaviors such as substance use, depression, and delinquency. Marieke Swink, the Lehi Cares coordinator, stated the coalition views the celebration as prevention work, as meaningful prevention occurs when young people feel included and connected.
The event will feature free food, games, and dancing for attendees.
