West Cook News

Unity Junior High School in Cicero was the venue for a vibrant celebration of Día de los Muertos on November 2, 2024. The event featured colorful decorations, music, and traditional activities aimed at honoring deceased loved ones while showcasing Mexican culture. Attendees included students, families, and community members from diverse backgrounds.

Maru Ayala, President of the Cicero Mexican Cultural Committee (CMCC), highlighted the significance of the celebration. “We are celebrating Día de los Muertos like we do every year here at Unity,” she said. “We partner with the Town of Cicero and District 99. There’s a lot of people here celebrating, with activities like arts and crafts, music, entertainment, and folkloric dancers.” Ayala emphasized that sharing their culture is the main goal of the event.

Commissioner Frank Aguilar reflected on how the event has evolved over time. “We started this over 15 years ago with Maru at the Cicero Public Library,” Aguilar recounted. He explained that what began as a small gathering has grown into a large community event involving every school in Cicero.

New elements were introduced this year, including Cicero's first Día de los Muertos parade and a mini-festival featuring various family activities. Ayala mentioned plans for "a little parade from Unity to the Morton Freshman Center."

Rosa Raygoza, CMCC Vice President, participated by dressing as La Catrina to honor departed souls. She expressed gratitude for support from local leaders: “This event is wonderful for the community.”

Town Trustee Blanca Vargas shared her hopes that attendees would embrace tradition and heritage through this partnership between District 99, Town of Cicero, and CMCC.

The parade featured participants such as Miss Cicero Dayanara Parra who noted its cultural importance: “This day is special for remembering loved ones.”

Patty Salerno introduced new features combining fall traditions with Día de los Muertos customs including face painting and pumpkin patches: “President Dominick and the Board of Trustees are passionate about providing enriching events.”

Overall, this year's celebration fostered community spirit through cultural pride and remembrance.