Lehi students host Día de los Muertos party Saturday

Lehi middle schoolers can grab free food, dance and play games at a Día de los Muertos celebration Saturday, Nov. 7, at the Lehi Legacy Center.

The Lehi Cares Coalition is hosting the party for the second year, teaming up with Lehi High School's Latinos in Action club and Student Council and Skyridge High School's Lehi Cares Club. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the event runs until 8 p.m. Students need a middle or junior high school ID to get in.

The event drew close to 200 students last year. Gig Griffith, advisor of the Lehi Cares Club at Skyridge, told the Lehi Free Press organizers expect to "surpass last year's attendance of close to 200 by at least 200 more." He said about 30 Skyridge club members plan to volunteer, running face painting, games and a Latino American pop music mix with dance contests.

Latinos in Action students at Lehi High School are leading the cultural side of the evening, sharing Día de los Muertos traditions with younger students, the Lehi Free Press reported. Jennifer Guiver, the club's advisor, described the Mexican holiday as a celebration of life, love and family rather than mourning. She said it gives families a way to feel close to their ancestors and keep that connection alive for the next generation.

Gabriela Castro Calderon, vice president of Lehi Latinos in Action, said the idea came from noticing that middle schoolers rarely get events of their own. Isaac Vancott, Lehi High School's student body president, said last year's party gave younger students a chance to experience Latino culture while making new friends.

Marieke Swink, Lehi Cares coordinator, said the coalition sees the celebration as prevention work, noting that meaningful prevention happens when young people feel connected and included.

The Lehi Cares Coalition is a community coalition sponsored by Lehi City government. It follows the University of Washington's Communities That Care framework and focuses on preventing youth problem behaviors, including delinquency, substance use and depression, according to the coalition's website.

Griffith said organizers have upgraded every part of the event for its second year. He recalled that last year students kept the dance floor moving all evening.

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