The Lumberjack



Students Serving The Cal Poly Humboldt Campus and Community Since 1929

Tag: tradition

  • Celebrating Dia de Los Muertos

    Celebrating Dia de Los Muertos

    By | Charlotte Rutigliano

    As a little girl in México, MultiCultural Center Liaison Joselin Dorado would celebrate Día de Los Muertos by contributing to her school’s altar, and on Nov. 2, she would go on processions to the cemeteries with her mother or other family members to visit their late ancestors’ graves, take them flowers and spend time “eating with them.”

    Día de Los Muertos is a colorful celebration that dates back over 3,000 years, that is celebrated from Oct. 31 to Nov. 2. Día de Los Muertos, which translates to Day of the Dead, is a celebration of friends and family members who have passed away.

    According to Dorado, the “altares,” or “altars,” are one of the most traditional ways to honor late loved ones.

    “The altars include pictures of loved ones and Flores de cempasúchil (the Mexican marigold),” Dorado said. “The flowers are believed to attract their spirits because of their aroma.”

    Dorado said that altars might also include the favorite food or drink of the people being honored. If a child is being honored, the altar might have their toys. Candles are also placed on altars to help the spirits of loved ones find their way back to the light.

    Psychology major Carolina Gonzalez-Estolano said she is fortunate that she has never lost a family member or close loved one, but she still celebrates Día de Los Muertos.

    “Growing up, we would always go to events at cemeteries,” Gonzalez-Estolano said, “or we would go to family homes for dinner and celebrate the lives of loved ones.”

    According to Dorado, Día de Los Muertos has become more commercialized over the years, and traditional celebrations differ from town to town. It’s celebrated mostly in rural areas by the indigenous peoples of Mexico, while in the United States, Chican@s or the Latinx communities view the day as a take-back or connection to their roots.

    “Día de Los Muertos can have a deep significance,” Dorado said, “but it’s a tradition that gets lost in big cities (specifically talking about Mexico).”

    According to Gonzalez-Estolano Día de Los Muertos are often confused, though they are different holidays celebrated in different ways.

    “Nowadays, Halloween is associated with dressing up, scary things, candy, and trick or treating,” Gonzalez-Estolano said, “Día de Los Muertos is about remembering your loved one, appreciating them and the people they were.”

  • Humboldt State Football Recruiting

    Humboldt State Football Recruiting

    By Danny Dunn

    HSU Head Football Coach Rob Smith. | Danny Dunn

    Humboldt State’s head football Coach Rob Smith understands that there is a stigma that comes with recruiting at Humboldt.

    “We address the marijuana reputation head on and say yes that element exists here, but we think it exists anywhere…and that is not who we are,” Smith said.

    Despite the stigma HSU’s football staff feels there are many reason’s for football recruits to choose to play for Humboldt.  

    “This is a football program with a proud tradition, and a solid success rate recently, seven consecutive years nationally ranked…that is what we focus on here,” Smith said.

    The recruiting process is arguably the most important part of the offseason for college football programs. With all the turnover from season to season because of graduating seniors or students transferring elsewhere for eligibility purposes, coaches need to fill the voids that are left by these departures.

    That is why Humboldt State Football is very fortunate to be returning a majority of their offensive core, including quarterback Robert Webber, running back Ja’Quan Gardner, and All-American lineman Alex Cappa.

    “There is always a good group of seniors that leave, but I feel we have a good base to build around, and we have high expectations for next season,” Cappa said.

    With the retention of the offensive core, it allows Humboldt State Football to focus primarily on the defensive side of the game when it came to recruiting.

    Linebacker Curtis Williams remembers what it was like when he went through the recruiting process.

    “It was stressful, but also exciting with the coaches showing an interest,” Williams said. “Overall I would say I enjoyed it.”

    Williams went on to say that he felt that Humboldt State was the right fit for him.

    “Out of the schools I visited with, Humboldt was the most family oriented,” Williams said. “The coaching staff really makes you feel wanted.”

    Head Football Coach Rob Smith says that recruiting is really time consuming. He relies heavily on his coaching staff to help with the process, including setting up official visitation days where the recruits and parents can come see what Humboldt has to offer.

    “I am upfront and honest with the recruits, and sell them on the athletic benefits at Humboldt State,” Smith said.

    Smith went on to say that relationships are the key to landing a recruit.

    “There’s no magic formula to it, just be yourself and develop a relationship with not only the recruit, but the recruits parents…and continually show that recruit that he is wanted at Humboldt State,” Smith said.