On Oct. 30, 2025, students from the Latin American Studies Club and the Mexico Club held an event celebrating Día de Muertos, or Day of the Dead, a holiday observed by more than 100 million people around the world each year. The event highlighted the importance of honoring loved ones who have passed away and why it is so cherished in the Latin community. The ceremony drew more than 100 attendees, all of whom had the opportunity to experience some of the customs commonly practiced during this sacred holiday.

Students sampled traditional foods from a local bakery and decorated the altar with Mexican crafts as offerings to those who are no longer here. Many took the crafts home as souvenirs of the special moment everyone shared.

Attendees also enjoyed a dance performance by the Ballet Folklorico Mexicano de Georgetown, fully immersing them in the Latin celebration experience.

Michael Ochoa, one of the co-planners of the event alongside Isabella Zarate, said, “There’s clearly such a big demand for spaces in which culture and community are cultivated outside of the hustle and bustle of SAIS’s hyperprofessional environment. I’m excited to keep delivering so that we can cultivate those connections to the region and each other.”

Given the strong turnout and participation, the Latin American Studies Club plans to make this an annual event and explore other ways to bring Latin America to SAIS.

Edited by: Krithiga Narayanan