Sugar-skull decorating highlights York's Mexican Day of the Dead program Oct. 31

Penn State York celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month
Day of the Dead Celebration

Veronica Calvillo, left, watches as Penn State York students Matt Herman, center, and Colin Miller right, show off their sugar-skull decorating skills during the Mexican Day of the Dead celebration last year at the campus. Calvillo will speak at noon on Tuesday, Oct. 31, in the community room at the campus, and there will be an opportunity to decorate sugar skulls.  

Credit: Barbara Dennis

YORK, Pa. — Learn more about the Mexican Day of the Dead and decorate a sugar skull on Tuesday, Oct. 31, when Penn State York offers a look at this holiday celebration. There will be plenty of colorful paint and a variety of other items to decorate a sugar skull from noon to 1 p.m. in the community room of the Joe and Rosie Ruhl Student Community Center.

This event, sponsored by the Penn State York Diversity Committee, the Black Student Union, and the Multicultural Club, is free and open to the campus community. It is part of the campus' Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration.

Those who attend can select a sugar skull to decorate and, at the same time, learn about the Mexican Day of the Dead. Veronica Calvillo, associate professor of Spanish at Gettysburg College, will show a video about the Mexican Day of the Dead and talk about the holiday and some of the traditions, such as decorating sugar skulls.

The Day of the Dead is celebrated in central and southern Mexico, and throughout the United States. The celebration begins on Oct. 31 and ends on Nov. 2, and is a time to honor deceased loved ones and spend time with family. Those who celebrate believe that the gates of heaven are opened at midnight on Oct. 31, and the spirits of all deceased children are allowed to reunite with their families for 24 hours. The spirits of the adults come down on Nov. 2 to enjoy the festivities that are prepared for them.

This is just one of many events on campus throughout the year to celebrate diversity, inclusion and equity.

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