Honoring Tradition, Celebrating Life: A Napa Valley Día de los Muertos--New Tech Joins Napa’s Día de los Muertos

Napa Valley Unified School District schools embraced the spirit of Día de los Muertos, fostering a sense of belonging and connection across our community. From elementary to high school, students and staff participated in a variety of activities, honoring traditions, celebrating life, and deepening their cultural understanding. By participating in the Napa Día de los Muertos celebration and hosting school-wide events, our schools showcased the vibrant spirit of this important cultural tradition.

To learn more about how our schools celebrated Día de los Muertos, be sure to read the individual stories in the NVUSD News and enjoy the photos and videos on our social media channels.

Sharing Traditions: New Tech Joins Napa’s Día de los Muertos

New Technology High School students, staff, and families, led by the dedicated work of Jaritza Lopez Anguiano and a small team of students and staff, honored the tradition of Día de los Muertos by creating a stunning Ofrenda. Initially displayed on stage in the school’s café, the Ofrenda was later moved to Dwight Murray Plaza in downtown Napa for the citywide celebration. As Jaritza shared, "We sent out an email to our school, and then also to parents, and then through the English Language Advisory Committee (ELAC). ... they sent us a photo so that we could print them out, or if they wanted to bring it in and we could put it in a frame so that we could put it up to honor their loved one." The entire school community, including students and teachers, contributed to the creation of the Ofrenda, making it a truly collaborative effort.

Jaritza also spoke about the significance of the marigolds in the Ofrenda, explaining, "The marigold flower, which is the flor de cempasúchil, represents the sun and the fragility of life, and the smell of it is supposed to guide the souls back to the altar."

Don’t miss the chance to admire the students’ beautiful artwork and Ofrendas! Check out the photos below and on our social media pages.