For Americans, Nov. 1 signifies the beginning of a new month and the day after Halloween. However, for people of Mexican heritage, Nov. 1 is a day dedicated to the celebration of life. Día de los Muertos, translated as “The Day of the Dead” in English, is a day to remember and celebrate the lives of deceased relatives and friends. The Westlake Spanish classes took time to learn and reflect on this integral part of the culture of Mexico.

“[I learned ]that the Aztecs believed that their dead would come back to visit them,” junior Kendal Lyssy said. “[This day’s orgins] are in Mexico. When someone dies, it’s really a quiet, sad thing in America, but in Mexico, they throw a huge party celebrating that person’s life on Día de los Muertos.”

Kendal said her class watched a video and ate pan de muertos to celebrate.

“The video was about a man who traveled from Britain to Mexico to celebrate on this day and saw a three-day festival,” Kendal said.”He celebrated Day of the Dead with this family, and it was really cool to see [his experience.]”