Earlier this year, Amy Diaz had an idea. The senior at Donegal High School recalled talking about the importance of celebrating culture during February, Black History Month, when inspiration struck.
"I thought we needed more recognition of culture and ethnicity in our school and that this could be a good thing to bring us all together," she said. "So, I brought the idea to my friends."
Amy and her friends formed the Cultural Awareness Team, and the group began meeting as an unofficial school club. They organized a schoolwide culture fair in April.
"We expressed different cultures with a variety of activities," recalled senior Sariah Marrero. "We wanted the experience to be hands-on, not just lectures, so people could learn through sports, crafts, dances and activities. We all had a passion to share."
Senior Sophia Ortiz first heard about the Cultural Awareness Team at the culture fair. "I thought it was an amazing idea," she stated. "It's a great way for us to have a better understanding of where we all come from."
Said senior Neville Ncube, "I think people might be nervous about the idea of a multicultural club, because they are worried about offending someone. We are working hard to celebrate and educate people about different cultures."
The group is also working to bring in community partners to share their culture with club members, Neville said, adding, "We know we could learn from them. We'd like to have outside experiences beyond our club members."
Amy said the Cultural Awareness Team plays an important role at Donegal. "This school has more people of color coming in every year," she stated, noting that another student who has since graduated, Aysha Gibbs, wanted to start a similar club but didn't get things off the ground before COVID hit.
The club members say being a part of the group has broadened their outlook. "I learned to be more open and outgoing and to get out of my own bubble," Neville stated. "Having people from different cultures in our school and in our club helps me want to understand them and where they are coming from."
Sariah said the club has inspired the members to act. "This has been opportunity for us to step up to the plate," she explained. "We all have a passion for this. We want to do another culture fair this year and do it even bigger, and we'd like the idea of this team to move beyond the school, out into the community and beyond."
For Sophia, the club has offered a place to feel at home. "I found confidence to like who I am and what my culture is," she remarked. "I felt insecure about who I was and that my experiences were way different from others', but this has helped me feel like I'm part of something."
Advisers for the club include school social worker Christina Helfrick, counselors Adrianne Lindeman and Danielle Kuhn and assistant principal Heather Hairhoger.
The Cultural Awareness Team is looking for community partners to come to club meetings or participate in the culture fair and share their experiences. For more information, call the school at 717-653-1871 and ask to speak to Christina Helfrick or Heather Hairhoger.
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