Huntington High School’s New World Club enjoyed another great year despite the many restrictions necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The organization is for those who are interested in becoming mentors and making a difference in the lives of fellow students that are new to the United States.
Mentors are screened and trained to work with recently enrolled English as a new language students. Once matched, mentors serve as big brothers/sisters to the newcomer English learners and help them navigate a new life and culture in the US.
Yolani Cabrera and Keylin Quintanilla served as the organization’s co-presidents this year. The executive board also included Angie Mata (vice president), Brenda Acevedo (publicist and Crochet for a Cause co-coordinator), Genesis Acevedeo (Crochet for a Cause co-coordinator, Finley Middle School co-liaison), Erik Flores (treasurer), Alejandra Arana (Finley Middle School co-liaison), Michelle Lopez (parent liaison) and Yanira Rivera (parent liaison).
Teacher Eileen Gonzalez is the New World Club’s faculty advisor. She works closely with club members to maximize the group’s impact around the building.
“The club had an amazing year,” Ms. Gonzalez said. “After running a very successful fundraising campaign, we were able to give back to essential workers in the Huntington community. The club ran a community action project called Ear Savers for Hometown Heroes during which we crocheted ear savers to give to those workers who supported the Huntington community throughout the pandemic.”
Club members wanted to show how much they appreciate the workers from Community Market, Tri CYA and the Family Service League. “The two community centers have always been so generous to our students and their families and we wanted to make sure they knew how much we appreciate them,” Ms. Gonzalez said.
Club members also wanted to show their appreciation for the “wonderful people” at Huntington High School who have taken great care in checking in students each morning, rain or shine. “They kept us safe and healthy and we thank them,” one club member said. The club put together a thank you video and sent it out to a select group.
“In all, we were able to donate 150 ear savers to these hometown heroes,” Ms. Gonzalez said. Brenda Acevedo, Genesis Acevedo, Yolani Cabrera, Johanna Campos Moreira, Bliden Martinez Argueta, Michelle Lopez, Angie Mata, Keylin Quintanilla and Yanira Rivera Ronquillo handled the actual distribution of the items.
Want to know more about the club? Send a message to Ms. Gonzalez at egonzalez@hufsd.edu. Students can also reach out to Yanira Rivera Ronquillo, who is coordinating the New Work Club’s membership drive.
To commemorate the club’s Crochet for a Cause initiative, the organization created a colorful coffee mug. Click here to view the mug or order one: https://www.bonfire.com/crochet-for-a-cause-mug-2021/
