The Socorro Independent School District hosted its first-ever SISD Dia De Los Muertos Showcase on Nov. 2 at the District Service Center.
Nearly 400 pieces of artwork were submitted by students from across the district.
The showcase was broken down into three divisions: elementary, middle, and high school. Nine SISD students were named winners in first through third place per division.
Four high school teams also competed in the altar competition. The four schools were chosen for the showcase based on their altar design. Pebble Hills High School won the top prize.
Bianca Sanchez, an art teacher at Pebble Hills High School, was thrilled to be part of the first-ever Dia De Los Muertos event. Her students won the contest with their altar dedicated to music icon Freddy Mercury.
"We were really excited to work on this and be a part of this showcase," Sanchez said. "To see what the students put up is really amazing, and it's great to see how talented our students are."
The Dia De Los Muertos artwork showcased a variety of elements, including calaveras, colorful canvases and flowers.
Dia De Los Muertos is a traditional Mexican celebration that is a joyful remembrance in which death is recognized as a natural part of the cycle of life.
The day is celebrated with an ofrenda or an altar to honor loved ones who have passed.
Alters usually include photos of the deceased and favorite items that belonged to the celebrated loved one, such as a hat or a guitar.
Ofrendas can include the deceased's favorite foods and are typically adorned with orange marigolds, sugar skulls, candles, papel picado, or decorative paper cutouts.
"It's really important to celebrate the culture of our region and keep that tradition alive," said SISD Assistant Fine Arts Director Candace Printz. "It's a way to remember our loved ones even after they've passed."
2023 SISD Dia De Los Muertos Showcase winners
| Elementary Division | ||
| Gabriella Quinonez | Dr. Sue A. Shook Elementary | 1st place |
| Mila Minor | Dr. Sue A. Shook Elementary | 2nd place |
| Meredith Guerrero | Escontrias STEAM Academy | 3rd place |
| Middle School Division | ||
| Ethan Guzman | William D. Slider Middle | 1st place |
| Daphne Nunez | Salvador H. Sanchez Middle | 2nd place |
| Scottrina Hunkins | Spec. Rafael Hernando III Middle | 3rd place |
| High School Division | ||
| Alyssa Camancho | El Dorado High School | 1st place |
| Andrea Covarrubias | Americas High School | 2nd place |
| Chloe Melero | El Dorado High School | 3rd place |
| Altar Design | ||
| Pebble Hills High School |