Service with a Smile

By: Lyric Armstrong

After waiting all year long, Club Diversity soaked up the California sun on their annual trip to Anaheim, Calif. on April 26-28. Among the places the club visited was Huntington Beach in Orange County, The Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles and Disneyland in Anaheim. The trip encouraged members to reach a certain number of service learning hours during their time as club members. 

     “To qualify you must have had no less than 50 hours,” said senior and Club Diversity Vice President Justin Marohl. “The reward trip at the end of the school year is a big motivator because of all the exciting places we go.”

     The trip never seems to disappoint students. With each year it is offered, more and more students go. This trip had over 60 students excited to venture to the Golden State.

     “On average we’d have about 40 students go, but last year we had almost 70,” said Club Diversity Adviser Mr. Macias. “Everybody loved the trip and had lots of fun bonding, making new friends and missing school for a good activity.”

     The club members, typically closely-knit with fellow members, looked forward to the vacation all year long. During the trip new friends were made, and the experience was unforgettable.

     “Throughout the whole trip, you build friendships with everyone around you,” said sophomore and club member Emily Kuhn. “You get to know so many new people.”

     Once they arrived in Palm Springs, Calif. on Thursday, the buses stopped at the Palm Springs Outlet Mall, where students were encouraged to shop and sightsee in pairs or groups.

     “It was refreshing to be able to walk around and eat after sitting in the bus for hours,” said sophomore and club member Anahi Tejeda. “My friends and I really enjoyed the fresh air and shopping.”

     Thursday evening, the Hilton Hotel assisted chaperones in assigning students to their hotel rooms. Complimentary meals were offered by the Hilton for Club Diversity members. After settling into their rooms, members had the rest of the night to relax and use courtesy hotel facilities until room checks at 11:30 p.m.

     The Disneyland trip on Friday was one of the most anticipated events. With “park-hopper” passes, club members were given the flexibility of going to California Adventure and Disneyland for 18 hours.

     “Disneyland was so magical,” said Tejeda. “It made me feel like a kid. It was a nice change of pace.”

     On day three members spent the day in Huntington Beach in Orange County serving, shopping, swimming, sun-bathing and playing on the beach.

      “We went to the beach to help with a group clean-up,” said Kuhn. “You are being rewarded for all the community service you have done over the year, and you get to serve the community while having fun.”

     On Sunday, the club, whose ideology focuses on diversity and acceptance, went to the Museum of Tolerance. Before the tour began, Holocaust survivor Elaine Geller spoke to the group. Then the museum’s tour guide led them through a series of staged, Holocaust reenactments.

     “The Museum of Tolerance was very emotional and deep,” said Tejeda. “I learned so much that I never even knew about Hitler, what went on in the concentration camps and how it finally ended around 1945. I strongly recommend that anyone who has the chance to visit the museum take full advantage; you won’t regret it.”

     In addition to the good feeling one gets when serving others and earning service learning hours, the added benefit of going on the California trip makes Club Diversity an ideal club. Club Diversity welcomes new members to help in service-learning events and go on the trip. For more information about Club Diversity or the California trip, see Mr. Macias in room 261.

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