It’s always inspiring to see students getting involved with their community, and that’s exactly what MHS’s Sports and Entertainment Marketing Class is doing. They are hosting a run on Saturday, November 9 at Meadowlark Trail in McPherson, Kansas. The run is for CKC (Centra Kansas Conservancy) to promote the holiday Día De Los Muertos, or the “Day of the Dead”. “Events like this are important because it represents a holiday and gets the community involved,” said Hays Schmid, a senior and the manager of this event.

Día De Los Muertos is a Mexican holiday where people gather together to remember the loved ones they have lost. The holiday lasts from November 1 to November 2. Families create ofrendas composed of yellow marigolds, photos of the dead, that person’s favorite food and drink in life, and anything else that the person may have enjoyed in their lifetime. These offerings are meant to encourage the spirits of the dead to return and join the celebrations being held in their honor. 

There will be two different runs taking place, a four-mile and a two-mile. The four-mile will begin at 8:30 am, and the entry fee for this run is $5. Then, the two-mile will take place at 8:45, where free-will donations will be accepted to participate. Festivities and awards from the runs will take place after the runs are finished from 10:30 am to 11:30 am. Anyone and everyone are encouraged to attend.

The class began to work on this event after CKC approached them. They’ve only been working for a week on all of the components, which is quite impressive considering how organized everything is. The class as a whole has put together plans for advertising, flyers, prizes, the entrance fee, and more. It just shows what students can accomplish when they come together to achieve a common goal and do something for their community.