Paseo Familiar: CRSM Scholars and families experience the culture of Pilsen

On Saturday, November 11, CRSM hosted a mini exposure for Scholars and their families to the National Museum of Mexican Art in Pilsen, which is a historically Mexican community in Chicago. Scholars and their family members shared a meal together at Taqueria Los Comales, visited several famous Pilsen Murals, and participated in a bilingual tour for the exhibit “Day of the Dead: Tilica y Flaca es la Calaca”.

This was the first time CRSM held a family exposure. The Educational Counselor, Amy Schlessman, planned this exposure for family members to join Schuler Staff and Scholars in hopes of giving them a glance at the Schuler exposure experience. Interestingly, for most Scholars and their families this was their first time visiting the Pilsen community and the museum. This particular museum offered both Scholars and their families a chance to learn more about their heritage and the tradition of Dia de los Muertos.

On the way back to Waukegan, three parents volunteered to write a short reflection about their experience with this mini exposure. See below for their original reflections written in Spanish followed by the English translations.

“Me gustó mucho el paseo al Museo de Arte Mexicano. Hay mucho que aprender sobre la tradición mexicana del Día de los Muertos. Me llamo la atención el significado de las Ofrendas que cada detalle tiene una explicación. Las Ofrendas son muy llamativas y tienen colores muy alegres. Los 3 niveles de las ofrendas yo no lo sabía. El Inframundo, la tierra y creó el cielo es muy interesante de aprender un poco más. Y pues gracias a Schuler y el personal que hacen

posible estos paseos para los estudiantes y familias.” / “I really enjoyed the trip to the Museum of Mexican Art. There is so much to learn about the Mexican tradition of Day of the Dead. The meaning of the offerings caught my attention because every detail had an explanation. The offerings are very eye-catching and have very cheerful colors. I didn’t know about the three levels of the offerings. The underworld, the Earth, and I believe the sky are something I would be interested in learning more about. Lastly, thank you to Schuler and the staff for making these exposures possible for students and their families.” - Guadalupe López, Parent of Scholars: Rebeca Avila, Class of 2021 and Joshua Avila, Class of 2019

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“Gracias por invitarnos a este viaje en compañía de nuestros hijos. Fue una experiencia muy bonita, en la cual convivimos con todos, y además de eso aprendimos muchas cosas. Y antemano muchas gracias a las personas que están encargadas de Schuler por esta invitación al museo.” / “Thank you for inviting us to this trip in the company of our children. It was a very nice experience in which we spent time with everyone and learned a lot of things. Lastly, thank you to the people who are in charge of Schuler for extending us the invitation to the museum.” -  Estela Vazquez, Parent of Scholar: Yisel Acosta, Class of 2019

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“Para mí fue una experiencia muy bonita. Cómo mexicana traía ese conocimiento de los muertos, pero no sabía mucho el significado ni de dónde venían las raíces de los aztecas y los españoles. Yo como mamá quisiera que mi hija no perdiera esas experiencias tan bonitas. Gracias por darme la oportunidad de compartir con ustedes la unión y confianza. Tengo muchos años en este país, y por eso gracias por quererme invitado a conocer.” / “For me this was a beautiful experience. As a Mexican, I had knowledge about the Day of the Dead but did not know much about the meaning or where the roots of the Aztecs and the Spaniards come from. As a mother, I would like my daughter to not lose such beautiful experiences. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share with you in union and trust. I’ve been in this country for many years, so thank you for wanting to invite me to learn.” - Norma Lugo, Parent of Scholar: Brisa Lugo, Class of 2021