The Class of 2024 at La Joya Early College High School was tasked by senior teacher Daniel Garcia with choosing, planning, organizing, and conducting a senior service project, continuing a six-year tradition on the campus.
The student-led and student-selected project involved soliciting donations for immigrant refugee children. They chose the Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley, an organization at the forefront of the charitable response to immigrants seeking asylum, as the beneficiary.
Students collected and filled 30 backpacks with hygiene products, snacks, coloring books, crayons, sanitary supplies, water bottles, first aid items, blankets, and socks.
For senior Karina Ascencio, this was a chance to make a difference through civic engagement and leave a mark as she concluded her high school career.
“It was a great experience to be able to help people in need. Not everybody has that opportunity; these aren’t just supplies, they’re symbols of hope and kindness,” Ascencio said.
The LJECHS Class of 2024 received assistance from the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) Club members, who helped coordinate the filling of the backpacks.
"It was a great experience being able to help the kids in need," senior Leo Hinojosa said. "I'm very proud of everyone who helped out. We hope this tradition will carry on to next year's senior class."