At Liberty High School, there are numerous clubs that students can join to become involved within the school. Yet, there was no specific club to represent the growing Hispanic community. Some teachers and staff may remember vividly that a few years ago Liberty had a cultural club for Hispanic students, but it was sadly discontinued due to lack of interest. However, this school year, Liberty welcomes the return of the Hispanic Association Club.
The Hispanic Association Club was brought to life by founders, sophomores Kenya Sandoval, Lindsey Olivares, and Patrika Lao. Throughout the summer, they spent a good amount of time with one another. While they were together, they began to discuss and come up with the brilliant idea of creating the club. They did so because there were other clubs that represented other races, such as the Black Student Union and the Asian Cultural Club, but none that represented the Hispanic community.
“We decided to create this club because there is no club representing the Hispanic community besides the Spanish Honor Society, but there are certain requirements for that,” said Patrika Lao. “This club will contribute to the community by diversifying us and getting more people to learn more about our culture.”
For these reasons, the three founders were insistent on creating a club that was not only for Hispanic students but also for others who wanted to learn about Hispanic culture and traditions.
“As the leaders, we hope this club provides new learning opportunities for those who want to learn about the Hispanic culture around them,” said Cailyn Aravia-Castro “This club also provides the knowledge for Hispanic students who want to learn more about their culture,”
They eventually got their friends involved: Keysel Matute, Dianelli Ortega, and Cailyn Aravia-Castro. This is where the journey of making the club a reality began. The process was long and difficult, but worth it for the Hispanic community and Eagle Nation as a whole. The leaders are still working on a few projects for the club that they hope to get approved soon. They are very motivated to receive approval for an honor cord or medal for senior graduation.
The Hispanic Association Club is all about uniting the many different Hispanic cultures and ethnicities that are present at Liberty High School.
“We want to educate people who are stereotypical and teach them about the different cultures and ethnicities there are,” said Lindsey Olivares
This group of sophomore girls and their three sponsors have many lessons and activities planned out, for further club meetings. Some activities that they have planned out include playing various traditional Hispanic games and teaching about various cultures around the world. Their sponsors Mrs. Jaraba, Mr. Perez, and Mrs. Flores have been their number-one supporters since the club was just an idea.
The first meeting of the club happened on September 21st, which had to be moved to the school’s auditorium because so many people were asking for soar passes to join in. The founders, leaders, and sponsors did not expect many people to join. Over 100 students attended the first meeting, and the founders, leaders, and sponsors were left speechless about how many students wanted to be involved. The creation of the club attracted the interest of many students and will help the club become successful.
“I’m honored to be a member of the Hispanic Association Club, because there are other clubs at Liberty that represent other heritages, but not mine, until recently,” said Rodrigo Aravia-Castro
As we welcome the comeback of the Hispanic Association Club at Liberty High School, this group of leaders is planning on doing spirit weeks, dances, and field trips in the future, so the members can have visual and educational opportunities, in a fun way. They are filled with enthusiasm for next year’s Hispanic Heritage Month and the many more that come in the future.
This new club that arose in Liberty High School, hopes more students attend and are serious about joining, to learn or teach others about Hispanic diversity that’s around them on a day-to-day base in Eagle Nation.
