South San Francisco, Ca May 4, 2015 Submitted by Patricia Anne Manubay, Pres of SIA
SIA members attend We Day 2015
Last Monday it was announced by the Jefferson Awards foundation that El Camino High School’s Students in Action (SIA) club won GOLD FIRST PLACE and Regional Role Model High School representing California and the Bay Area. Two student club representatives and the club’s adviser, Mr. Derek Padilla, will be moving onto the National competition at the Jefferson Awards National Ceremony in Washington DC this June. They will be able to meet other SIA clubs from around the United States and great service leaders such as Kid President as well as participate in tours, leadership trainings, and activating the Lead360 Projects; such as the project ‘Dream boxes’ created by El Camino High’s Students in Action’s very own Club President, Patricia Manubay.
SIA Representatives at the Regional Competition (from left to right) Jordan Chang, Melinda McMonigle, Alexander Hernani, Daniel Gammad, Peony Lum, Tiana Valerio, Patricia Manubay, Jason Li
Every year all the Students in Action Clubs compete in the regional spring competition where they gather everything; from their service projects, volunteer hours recorded, and items/money donated, and compile it in a written survey and presentation. This year’s presentation team representing El Camino High School included: Alexander Hernani, Jingxuan Li, Melinda McMonigle, Patricia Manubay, and Tiana Valerio.
This is only the club’s second year competing and they have proved the power of youth and community service. Last year, the club won a gold banner for Fast Track New School; recognizing El Camino High School as a service leadership school by the Jefferson Awards Foundation, and have only improved in their performance since.
Last year El Camino SIA recorded only about 1,500 volunteering hours, but this year they have recorded a whopping total of 25,506 volunteering hours done by their students; a 40% increase from last year’s records. They were able to increase fundraising by 489% over last year, in cash and in kind was over $34,000. The team went from having less than three service projects a year to having a service project every month. Some of those projects include: Juliana’s Journey & Children’s Cancer Awareness month, 2nd Annual Hunger Games, Toys for Tots, Project Fresh, and Anti-bullying Week. Along with recruiting Westmoor High School into the Students in Action program, El Camino SIA was also recognized through various media outlets such as the San Francisco Examiner and local online Everything South City.
Freshman Class District and Effie Trinket posing for the 2nd Annual Hunger Games
The Jefferson Award’s Students in Action program continues empowering youth through service and creating stronger leaders for tomorrow. Senior, Alexander Hernani says, “I’m proud to say I was able to work with such inspiring leaders and a great team. I’ve grown a lot inter-personally because of SIA, and I’ll never forget that.” El Camino’s SIA club has definitely influenced other clubs to plan and participate in service events creating a positive atmosphere at school. Club President, Patricia Manubay says, “SIA has given me the tools, training, and challenge to really impact the community and help others become stronger leaders. We are the few who offer help to the helpless and hope to the hopeless, and SIA has served as a place for hope for me.”
The El Camino Students in Action Club will continue on to next year, improving their service events and projects, expanding volunteerism and service, and reaching out to other high schools interested in starting an SIA at their school. These young people not only ask “Why doesn’t someone do something about it?”, they are that someone. The Students in Action Colts will continue doing what they do best: inspire, empower, serve, and lead.
SIA Members holding their Gold Banner awarded last year (Yearbook Photo)
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More on the accomplishments of ECH SIA and Patricia Manubay CLICK HERE
SIA members posing underneath their “You are Not Alone” sign for Anti-Bullying Week
SIA members preparing for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
Ashley Shen and Alexis Vergara manning the admission table to the Open Mic for Anti-Bullying Week
SIA members attend the Spring Jefferson Awards Training