NIC honors Day of the Dead

The Student Union Building was alive with activity as an array of traditional sounding Mexican folk music played during the Day of the Dead Celebration. The celebration was free to all students and took place in the main lobby of the SUB on Nov. 2.

Local artist Tara Dagastine from Whimsy Face Painting by Tara, offered free sugar skull face painting for all students and staff members.

“I think it’s a cool tradition, honoring the dead, making it a celebration of their life, rather than mourning in a different kind of way,” Dagastine said.

Head of Operations Dodi Rode was first in line to get her face painted.

“We just want people to come and have fun,” she said

The celebration also provided free authentic Mexican food. The food was prepared by NIC food services, and ranged from steaming tamales, to Pan de Muertos, also known as bread of the dead or dead man’s bread, a traditional Mexican sweet bread eaten during the Day of the Dead celebration. Spiced hot chocolate and chips and salsa where available as well.

The Day of the Dead is a Mexican and Mexican-American holiday that is practiced on Nov. 1-2 , during which the graves of love ones are decorated, unique foods prepared, altars built and festivals and processions held, all to honor the dead.

Dual-enrollded student, Margaret McGovern said, “The way the culture respects the dead is really interesting.”

This is the first year NIC has held a Day of the Dead Celebration, but they plan on holding it in upcoming years.