November 8, 2024
Coconino High School recently hosted its annual Día de los Muertos celebration, an event that brought students, families, and staff together to honor this vibrant and meaningful tradition.
From November 1 through November 8, the CHS library became a colorful gallery, showcasing student-created mini altars as part of the Third-Day of the Day of the Dead Altar Contest and Exhibition. This year’s celebration highlighted the creativity of Spanish and English Language Learners (ELL) students, with the addition of contributions from the art department, making the event a collaborative celebration of culture, memory, and community.
Organized by Francy Solarte, Spanish teacher at CHS, the altar contest allowed students to craft mini altars from shoeboxes in tribute to loved ones, pets, or even famous figures. Each altar included a dedication written in Spanish, with some students incorporating their home languages into their tributes.
“This is more than just an art project—it’s an interdisciplinary effort that brings Spanish, ELL, and art classes together to honor a deeply meaningful tradition,” said Solarte. “We were especially excited this year to feature ceramic skulls from our art students as part of the exhibition.”
The celebration was a true cross-departmental effort. Culinary arts students provided traditional pan de muerto (bread of the dead) and hot chocolate, which were enjoyed during the parent night on November 7. Families gathered in the cafeteria for food and fellowship before being treated to a beautiful performance by Ballet Folklorico De Colores, which added an extra layer of cultural significance to the evening.
Kelly Woodruff, CHS art teacher, participated in the event for the first time and praised the sense of community it fostered.
“Being able to gather with the Coconino High School community and honor the annual Mexican celebration, Día de los Muertos, is a great reminder of how special our Flagstaff Unified School District family is,” said Woodruff. “Our sculpture students loved the opportunity to collaborate with the Spanish department on this special event.”
The altar contest concluded with an awards ceremony celebrating student creativity. First place, determined by popular vote, went to Michelle Rodriguez and Yosra Karimi for their altar “Prima Iris.” Honorable Mention was awarded to Alyna Cota and Ava Ríos for their altar dedicated to “Abuelos.” Several students received Jury Recognition for their exceptional work, including Brianna Hernandez and Montserrath Herrera, Alexandra Villareal Adame, Sena Stoddard, Luis Angel Santellano, and Hanthuan Rodriguez. The event also featured a Candy Skull Contest, with first place awarded to senior Justine Sloan for her intricate design, second place awarded to Aubrey Furstnow, and third place to Shyann S. Bitsuie.
Judges for the contests included community leaders and CHS staff, such as Clay Showalter from the Arizona Trail Association and CHS Counselor Giselle Vera, highlighting the strong support from both the school and the wider community.
Reflecting on the event’s success, Solarte emphasized the importance of cultural connection.
“It’s a way for our students to connect with their heritage, learn about cultural traditions, and share that with others,” she said. “Each year, I’m inspired by the creativity and heart that our students put into their work.”
The 2024 Día de los Muertos celebration at Coconino High School was a powerful reminder of the importance of cultural exchange, creativity, and community. Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make this event an unforgettable experience. The CHS community looks forward to continuing this cherished tradition in the years to come.
View more photos on Flickr, click HERE.
