Students from six area schools transformed the Santa Monica History Museum into a vibrant celebration of life and memory during the annual Legado Latino Día de los Muertos exhibition on November 1st and 2nd, creating altars that honored departed loved ones while building bridges across cultural and campus boundaries.
The event, organized by Dr. Guadalupe Mireles-Toumayan, chair and founder of Legado Latino and a teacher at Santa Monica High School, brought together students from Santa Monica High School, Venice High School, Fairfax High School, University High School, Inglewood High School and Palms Middle School to design and present ofrendas — traditional altars that celebrate the enduring values of life, memory, and cultural identity.
"I envisioned the project as a way for students to connect and collaborate beyond the usual contexts of sports and competitions, encouraging artistic expression, cultural pride, and meaningful social interaction," said Mireles-Toumayan, who is also a professor at California State University, Northridge, and currently pursuing her Ethnic Studies Certification.
The collaboration marked a significant departure from typical inter-school interactions, focusing instead on shared cultural values and artistic expression. Each participating school contributed unique displays that reflected their students' personal stories, family traditions, and cultural heritage, turning the museum into what organizers described as "a living classroom of culture and memory."
The museum setting provided particular significance for the celebration, placing student-created altars and exhibits in a respected public institution. The partnership between Legado Latino and the Santa Monica History Museum aligned with both organizations' missions of preserving and sharing cultural stories, with the museum's commitment to diversity taking on special meaning during uncertain times.
"Especially in these times of uncertainty, the museum's openness to diversity and its embrace of Latino culture carries deep significance," Mireles-Toumayan explained. "By welcoming this exhibition, the museum reaffirms its commitment to inclusion and cultural appreciation, giving students and families a space where their traditions are celebrated and valued."
Student participants expressed profound emotional connections to the project, with many describing how creating their ofrendas helped them reflect on family histories and reconnect with their cultural roots.
"Creating my altar reminded me of who I am and where I come from. It gave me pride in my roots and my family's story," said Daniel García, president of Ritmo Latino.
Milly García-Hernández, president of Legado Latino, emphasized the community-building aspect: "Working with students from other schools made me realize how much we all have in common. It was more than an art project — it felt like a community."
The event's inclusive nature extended beyond Latino traditions, demonstrating the universal appeal of remembrance and respect. Mark Mankaryous delivered a presentation in Arabic, showing how Día de Muertos can serve as a bridge across different cultural backgrounds.
"Sharing my presentation in Arabic allowed me to celebrate my own culture while honoring Día de Muertos. It felt powerful to connect both traditions," Mankaryous said.
For many students, the museum setting provided validation that their stories and traditions hold value within the broader community. Several participants noted this was their first time seeing their heritage celebrated in such a public, inclusive way.
"I never realized how much my culture shaped me until I explained it to others through my ofrenda. It made me proud of being Latino," said Tany Cortés, president of Orgullo Oaxaqueño.
The project received support from numerous community members and educators, including Kathleen Rawson, Lisa Dannenbaum, Susan Potter, Ana Valdéz, Licenciado Mario Méndez, Jasson Martinez, and Violeta Mendez-Ayala, whose collaboration helped bring the vision to life.
Beyond celebrating a single cultural tradition, organizers and participants emphasized the event's role in fostering broader cultural understanding throughout Santa Monica. The experiential learning encouraged empathy and dialogue while helping to break down stereotypes and build connections across diverse communities.
"This project helped me understand that my culture is not just my family's, it belongs to the whole community. That made me proud and more confident in who I am," said Pauline Torres, committee president.
At Santa Monica High School, the Legado Latino student organization played a leading role in organizing and curating their altar, highlighting the power of student leadership in fostering unity and cultural appreciation.
The success of this year's exhibition reinforces Santa Monica's commitment to embracing multiculturalism and honoring the heritage of all residents, creating opportunities for understanding and connection that extend far beyond the museum walls.
"These events create opportunities for understanding, connection, and unity, inspiring both young people and the broader public to recognize and respect the diverse cultural tapestry of the city," Mireles-Toumayan concluded.