"Day of the Dead” comes to life for WHS Spanish Language students

Along with a foreign language, Washougal High School Spanish language teachers also provide their students with an understanding and appreciation for different cultures.

As a part of that, each year WHS students celebrate the Mexican holiday of El Día de Muertos or Day of the Dead. “The key is that it's a celebration of life: mostly of those who have gone before us,” explained Brian Eggleston, WHS Spanish Teacher.

Students first create sugar skulls by combining sugar, meringue powder, and water, and putting it into a mold.  The skulls harden and are decorated with bright colors in icing, paint, colored foil, and other decorative materials as used in Mexico.

“We have discussed how the holiday is celebrated in some different countries, including Guatemala and México, and students have the opportunity to reflect on how it compares with our own Halloween celebrations, and what the spirit of El Día de Muertos might mean to them,” Eggleston explained.  “I'm impressed each year to see them take their spirit of inquiry into these special projects.”

WHS Students learn to salsa while studying Spanish

On May 5, 2014, Washougal High School Spanish classes were treated to a hands-on lesson in Latino culture to celebrate Cinco de Mayo.  WHS Spanish teachers Rochelle Aiton and Brian Eggleston helped students learn and perform salsa dancing, set to its unique and beautiful rhythm.  Students got the opportunity to practice several steps, from basic to more challenging, and all had a great time.  At first some were nervous about their ability to dance, but they found out just how creative they could be.

Students studying Spanish at WHS are provided opportunities to study cultural events and practices in Spanish-speaking countries, including El Día de Muertos (the Day of the Dead) and La Semana Santa (Holy Week).  They also learn about key historical periods in both Spain and Latin America.  Studying the cultures of countries where people speak Spanish helps students understand similarities and differences between various countries, and the fusion of indigenous culture and European influences.  Salsa dancing, for instance, started in the expatriate Puerto Rican and Cuban communities in New York City, and spread to the Caribbean, then into other Latin American countries.  

This year Mrs. Aiton led the salsa lessons, drawing from her own dancing skill.  “Rochelle did such a fantastic job,” said Mr. Eggleston.  “She dances beautifully, and she led them to see further how exploring culture can be so enriching and rewarding.  They gained confidence and a new appreciation, in a spirit of fun collaboration.”

“Day of the Dead” comes to life for WHS Spanish students

An important component of learning a foreign language is to gain an understanding and appreciation for its culture.  Recently, Washougal High School Spanish language students were introduced to the Mexican celebration of El Día de los Muertos or “The Day of the Dead,” a yearly experience provided by the Spanish teachers.

The celebration is a fusion of Catholic and indigenous traditions that has come to manifest itself differently in each region of Latin America.  “The key is that it's a celebration of life: mostly of those who have gone before us,” explained Brian Eggleston, WHS Spanish Teacher.  "Students learn about the different way a culture looks at death without the unnecessary dread or horror that we've seen in some other societies."
As a part of the celebration, students created actual sugar skulls.  They combined sugar, meringue powder, and water together, and then with a mold, they made skulls that harden for decoration.  “After learning about the holiday and surrounding customs in Mexico, the students will decorate them in class,” Eggleston said.  “They always turn out beautiful.  The best work goes on display in each Spanish classroom for others to admire.”

“Students become more invested in a culture when they can get involved with hands on activities such as this,” said Spanish teacher Rochelle Aiton.