On December 4, The Spanish club and Italian Club gathered together to decorate cards for the nursing home and decorate Christmas cookies. This meeting took place in the cafeteria, where over 60 kids worked together to make the days of the residents full with cheer before the holidays. The event was advised by Ms. Latronica, Spanish teacher, and Ms DiTommaso, Italian teacher.
We spoke with Mrs. DiTommaso about the logistics and thoughts behind the event. She told us all the cards stay local to the Poland area and that it has worked this way for the past two years.
Joining the clubs together is beneficial, DiTommaso tells us that she “found that the students encourage each other to attend,” causing a bigger turnout. When creating large quantities of cards for a good cause, the more students the better!
She also expressed her appreciation. It helps the students not only embrace their selected language course, but also creates a connection between Italian students and Spanish students.
She says that since they “create cards in the two languages,” it causes the students to “talk about the holiday greetings and customs learned in class.”
This ultimately leads to the students comparing the languages and learning from each other.
We spoke to Spanish Club Member, Carter Iberis, he tells us that he enjoys making the card and thinks we should continue the tradition.
Iberis says that he believes tradition is “impactful.” The cards “spread joy and show people that someone cares for them.”
Another point Iberis makes is the people who may not have family who send cards. When you give a Christmas card to these people, it “means the world.”
Aurelia Cook, Italian Club Member, expresses her opinion on the expansion of this event as a school. She tells us “I think we could definitely make this school-wide.”
Her reasons for the shift are valid. Cook says that “more cards could be made,” and “it could give students who are not taking a language the chance to explore which one they are interested in.”
Benjamin Horn, a sophomore in his third year of Spanish Club, tells his point of view on looking over two languages in one setting.
Horn says he enjoys the conjoined meetings, so he can use it as a way to “look at the similarities and differences in the two languages.”
Horn also says that it’s a great way to socialize between the two clubs.
Overall, the students created Christmas cards for those who may not receive one from family or friends while in the nursing home. The impact made on the community was positive and spread cheer right before the holidays. The event also brought the two clubs in Poland Seminary together while connecting the cultures they are based off of.
