Monarchs, Marigolds, and Memories: Highlights from Día de los Muertos

Last week our Upper School Spanish classes celebrated Día de los Muertos with a vibrant week of activities that blended culture, creativity, and community. Students showcased their culture projects in many formats: mini ofrendas honoring loved ones, Día de los Muertos–inspired artwork, and Catrina/Catrín costumes. Students also represented Día de los Muertos through papier‑mâché Catrina dolls, research on monarch butterflies, and student-created recipe books—some even prepared traditional dishes to share.

Our whole school joined in through a school-wide ofrenda where students contributed items to remember and honor family members who have passed. We also took a field trip to Missouri State University’s Day of the Dead festival. Students rotated through stations making papel picado, crafting paper marigolds, and decorating sugar skulls. They also enjoyed authentic performances by local mariachi band “Los Reyes” and the cultural dance group “Grupo Latinoamericano.”

Several students showcased extra initiative by participating in the mini ofrenda and calavera poetry contests—their entries reflected thoughtful remembrance and strong Spanish-language creativity. It was a week full of learning, respect, and celebration—a meaningful way for our students to connect with tradition and one another.

 

The Summit Preparatory School is a fully accredited, non-religious, private school offering a full-time seated independent education for students in Springfield, Ozark, Nixa, Rogersville, and the greater Southwest Missouri area. Our preparatory school setting offers an enriching early childhood, elementary, middle school, and high school curriculum in a supportive environment. We have state of the art facilities, highly-qualified teachers and staff, and a large range of educational programming. Interested in enrolling your child? Learn more about our admissions process.

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