Honoring Heritage and Building Bridges: Rifle High Senior Brings Dia de los Muertos to Life

In a vibrant burst of color, dance, and tradition, Rifle High School senior Laura Gonzalez transformed her school into a celebration of life and legacy by organizing a Dia de los Muertos event. Determined to bridge cultural gaps and create a welcoming space for everyone in her community, Laura’s passion for sharing the beauty and depth of Mexican culture brought students, families, and friends together to honor ancestors and experience the joy of life, all through the lens of tradition.

Growing up, Laura experienced many Dia de los Muertos celebrations and wanted to bring the cultural experiences to Rifle High School, and Rifle residents.

“There was always something going on up valley,” said Laura. “ There was always a parade and always dances, but there was nothing appropriate for high school students to attend to celebrate this day.”

Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a Mexican celebration with roots that trace back thousands of years to indigenous cultures in Mesoamerica, especially in the Aztec, Maya, and other pre-Columbian civilizations. The celebration is believed to go back about 3,000 years. The Aztecs and other Nahua people living in what is now central Mexico held a cyclical view of the universe and saw death as an integral, ever-present, part of life.

Originally, Laura envisioned a school dance specifically for high school students to enjoy traditional music and dance in a safe, welcoming environment. However, after facing some logistical hurdles, she pivoted her plans to create a community event held at Rifle High School. Laura poured her heart into organizing the celebration, securing donations, and creating spirit days, such as siesta like a fiesta (pajama) day,  at Rifle High. Student Council sponsor Jenny Peed, Maria Serna, the Rifle High School Parent Liasion, and Cristal Aguirre Anchondo, the Parent Liason at the Re-2 Family Resource Center, guided her through the process.

The Dia de los Muertos event also included several dance performances by Laura, including the “Jalisco” dance, which was first introduced to the U.S. by Amalia Hernandez, a famous Mexican choreographer. Each performance celebrated different aspects of Mexican heritage, from the elegance and femininity of traditional attire to the spirited movement that connects participants with their ancestors. 

“Dia de los Muertos is not about celebrating death or the memorials. We are celebrating the life that we have now in order for the ones who have passed away to feel that energy,” Laura explained.

Laura wanted to share her cultural pride and create understanding and unity within a diverse community. 

“For me, it’s about showing everyone what our culture is really about beyond stereotypes,” she shared. “This celebration is for everyone to see the beauty of our traditions.”

As an International Baccalaureate student at Rifle High School, the Dia de los Muertos event is part of Laura’s Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) project. Laura is planning another event for Cesar Chavez Day on March 31 at the Garfield County Fairgrounds. She hopes to inspire more community engagement and understanding through events like these, helping everyone in Rifle feel a part of something special. Her dream is that one day more events will celebrate Hispanic heritage in Rifle and surrounding communities.

Laura has aspirations to study political science and to make a difference in her community.