Sra. Bazaldua’s Spanish V class contributed an ofrenda to WTAMU’s Celebration of Life event to be displayed tomorrow at Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum.

The Celebration of Life event honors Dia De Los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, and runs the week of Oct. 28 to Nov. 1 with an admission fee of $10. The ofrenda is a traditional memorial display to remember those who have passed. Friday is the last day to view the exhibit, which is open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

“A lot of the other ofrendas were really good,” junior Lianna Kerneck said. “Some showed that the people were loved ones. You could tell what was special about them.”

The offerings can be for anyone- from family members or friends to beloved celebrities or historical figures. The group built their ofrenda in honor of Walt Disney after a class vote.

“It was great to do ours for him,” senior Amanda Koontz said. “He touched all of us. He took part in all of our childhoods, so there’s that good connection.”

Senior Lindy Pasley said that traditional ofrendas display specific things about the departed, such as their favorite food or hobbies.

“We researched what all of Walt Disney’s favorite things were,” senior Braxton Sides said. “Then each of us was responsible for getting a certain thing.”

Each of the students said they had watched videos on the holiday and been to the exhibit in previous years.

“I learned a lot this year,” senior Cody Price said. “Watching the videos isn’t the same thing as being a part of it. It was great to be able to contribute.”

Senior Nelson Borchardt said he hoped to one day experience the festivities in Mexico.

“The holiday is supposed to be very symbolic,” Koontz said. “It’s about celebrating life, rather than mourning death.”