By ALINA SANCHEZ SANTA CRUZ 

Citrus Valley High School welcomed Latino Student Union for the first time this semester. With a largely Latino demographic at Citrus Valley, the club has amassed more than 80 members and a social following. The purpose of LSU has been to promote Latino excellence by helping the community at service events and encouraging a focus on academic achievement.

The club was first introduced at Club Rush and passed out Mexican candies to those who joined. A crowd of students formed, joined together with Latino music as they waited.

Citrus Valley High School senior Jasmine Rosales, Bryana Diaz and Alina Sanchez Santacruz welcome new members to the newly formed Latino Student Union at Club Rush early in the semester. (Ethic News photo)

Dania Martinez, a senior at Citrus Valley said, “I was happy to see representation on campus.”

The first meeting filled up C-05 the room of Citrus Valley history teacher Alan Perez, the club’s advisor. Club members enjoyed fresas con crema, or strawberries with whipped cream, a traditional Mexican dessert and learned about the officers.

A group selfie with Bella Sommerfelt, Bryana Diaza Plancarte, and Ariana Gutierrez in the center of a group of club members in Citrus Valley High School teacher Alan Perez’s room.  (ALINA SANCHEZ SANTA CRUZ/ Ethic News photo)

The LSU leaders also joined Victoria Elementary School and helped with their after school program. Fellow students assisted with learning activities and played with the kids during breaks. 

Jose Avila Mendoza, a spirit leader in LSU, says helping the children “was nostalgic of when older kids came to my school and I was happy to give back to the community.”

The final service event of the year was for Dia de Los Muertos. Members of the club colored skulls and wrote facts to teach students at Citrus Valley about their culture and posted them in the hallways.

Latino Student Union members decorate a hallway in Citrus Valley High School for Dia de los Muertos 2023 with images, information and papel picado. (ALINA SANCHEZ SANTACRUZ/ Ethic News photo)