SCHOOL NEWS
FALCON COVE NJHS SPREADS LOVE...
NOT GERMS BY BEVERLY PERKINS
“The opportunity to put a smile on a child’s face is the greatest gift one could ever ask for. You’re not only helping those who aren’t as fortunate as you, but you get the chance to experience life from a different perspective, and that’s truly a blessing,” said NJHS member Ana Romero Aguirre.
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ne of the requirements of our local middle and high schools is for students to not only earn good grades but also community service hours. However, the ongoing pandemic has made this extremely difficult for those students looking to make a difference in someone else’s life while enriching their own. Fortunately, Falcon Cove National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) discovered the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital (JDCH) All-Stars Program. Without hesitation, the ambitious group jumped in to participate. The program allows local schools to continue earning service hours by ways of doing virtual activities and projects for patients, parents, and healthcare workers. This past fall and into the holiday season, NJHS students created over 500 cards and collected over 50 bears to send over to South Florida’s premier children’s hospital. The project, “Cards and Cuddles”, brought plenty of smiles to the many patients and staff members. Naturally, the NJHS wanted to do overdeliver, so they invited other organizations within the school to join them. Latinos in Action, peer counselors, and the art students were happy to participate. The Art 2 classes made 3D cards to give to critically ill patients. “These types of projects are the foundation of the National Junior Honor Society. They allow us to give back to our community especially during an extremely difficult time. We are also happy that we can make someone’s day a little bit brighter! Our goal is to continue with the program at our local high school and to continue helping and volunteering in our community,” said NJHS secretary Shreya Anand. “It makes me feel grateful
as well as thankful for everything I have. It also makes me feel proud to be a part of NJHS.” The JDCH Administrative Director of Outreach and Liaison Development, Maggie Portela, picked up the Halloween cards, and Falcon Cove NJHS advisors, Ms. Stella Stringer and Ms. Alison London with NJHS member, Ana Romero Aguirre, delivered the holiday cards with the cuddly bears to the Jeff Conine Clubhouse. “These types of projects make me feel good knowing that we’re making someone’s day better. It was a huge success! It brought smiles to the patients and healthcare workers at the hospital,” explained Valentina Castellanos, NJHS member. “What we’ve done the last few months with NJHS has taught me a lot. It has taught me how to become a better leader and a better person, so I hope to continue with these projects throughout my life.”
50 / Our City Weston / February 2022 / OurCityMedia.com
