Spanish Club Gives Students Access to Native Speakers, Travel, and More
It isn’t every day that Americans get to participate in a World Cup soccer tournament, but that’s just what members of State High’s Spanish Club did. With club members staging their very own World Cup on the soccer fields of State High, and battling against the Latin Club students, a fun competition was had by all.
Competing in a World Cup is just one of the many perks of membership in the Spanish Club.
“Students get to see a different culture and learn about different traditions in other countries,” said Nick Gallo, Spanish teacher and the Spanish Club Advisor for the past four years. “They get to meet new people in the school and learn from native
speakers.”
Other activities that the club participates in include preparing delicious Hispanic food, playing games, participating in the school’s World Language Fair, and much more.
“Students benefit by learning more about Spanish-speaking countries and their cultures,” said Gallo. “They get to see a world outside of their own.”
Paulina Rodriguez Camacho ’18 is originally from Puerto Rico. She’s the current Vice President of the Spanish Club. She joined to meet people with similar interests and to make friends. She was also excited at the possibility of meeting others from her home.
“I enjoy helping others to learn Spanish,” said Rodriguez Camacho. “I also love to share my culture and traditions.”
Whether they are doing activities, participating in events, or travelling, Rodriguez Camacho summed it up nicely when explaining what the Spanish Club is really about.
“The club is all about interaction and communication,” she said, “without it we wouldn’t learn anything. Talking with others is what makes the club fun and interesting.”
Rodriguez Camacho has been surprised to learn that many Spanish Club members have traveled to Spanish-speaking countries purely as a result of their interest in the language. “During the club meetings, we share our experiences of speaking Spanish and the places that we have traveled,” she said. “Some students even want to go to Spanish-speaking countries to continue studying.”
Travel is a definite possibility with the Spanish Club. Gallo has accompanied students on several trips abroad, including one to Peru. There, students visited ancient ruins in Lima, Cuzco, and Machu Picchu.
Originally from Indiana, Pennsylvania, Gallo received his Bachelor’s in Spanish Education in 2011. He has traveled and studied abroad to places like Cuernavaca, Mexico, Malaga, and Spain. He has taught in the United States and in Spain and he is currently working on his Master’s in teaching.
“Throughout all of my experiences, my love for Spanish language and culture has continued my enthusiasm and passion of teaching,” said Gallo. “I am excited to share this with the students in the Spanish Club.”
The Spanish Club is an open club for grades 9 through 12. It holds monthly meetings, which anywhere from 10 to 40 students attend, and it maintains an email list of around 100 members.
By SCASD Education Foundation
