The office of Student Engagement & Activities (SEA) on the San Jacinto College South Campus is organizing a Día de los Muertos celebration on Oct. 31 to showcase the traditions honoring deceased loved ones in Latin American cultures.

Ginnette Ruelas, a South Campus SEA administrative assistant, oversees the event. She said she hopes it will educate students about the different traditional activities that take place during Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead celebrations.

“The goal is to show students that it’s not meant to be a spooky Halloween event,” she said, “but more of a way to celebrate those we have lost.”

The festivity will feature traditional arts and crafts and other activities related to the holiday. Ruelas hosted the event last year and said it is an opportunity to highlight an aspect of Latin culture unfamiliar to the larger San Jac community.

“It’s an invitation to experience these traditions that maybe not everyone gets to celebrate,” she said.

Although Ruelas said she feels pressure when organizing Día de los Muertos, she is glad to contribute to expanding the College’s cultural offerings.

“There are tons of events that celebrate Día de los Muertos in the Houston community and it can be a bit intimidating,” she said. “However, I’m just so glad that our school lets us celebrate diversity by hosting these types of events.”

Día de los Muertos takes place from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Oct. 31 in the Student Center (S11) on the South Campus.