Día de los Muertos, translating to the “Day of the Dead,” is a Mexican holiday that shows respect for loved ones who have passed. On Friday, October 25, 2024, Stuart Hall hosted its annual Día de los Muertos Chapel, where students and faculty gathered to remember those they have lost. The main part of the ceremony is the act of placing flowers on a cross, which, as the school describes, “turns something gloomy into something pretty.” The display of flowers transforms the loss into beauty and hope.

The ceremony opened with an invitation for anyone to go up to the microphone, share the names of their loved ones, and place a flower in their honor. This practice of stepping up and sharing personal losses helped bring a sense of community because it allowed for moments of silence and remembrance as well as sympathy toward each other. For those who preferred a more private remembrance, there was an option to quietly place a flower without speaking, allowing each person to participate in their own way. The entire chapel created a space for personal reflection while fostering collective empathy, as the community supported one another.

Junior Max Machle reflected on the significance of the tradition, saying, “It’s an amazing tradition to allow me to remember one of my old teachers.”

Another junior, Leo Mercado, expressed appreciation for a saying by Mr. Farrell, who encouraged students to consider that “you don’t know what everyone is going through, and to keep in mind to be nice to everyone.”

These reflections show how the chapel service helps us not only remember loved ones but also cultivate deeper empathy and kindness. This left students with a reminder to always be compassionate and connected within the school community.