BY JAMES FLAHIVE, GUEST COLUMNIST

ASB COMMISSIONER OF RECOGNITION

Not long ago, my friends and I found ourselves startled on the way to my fifth period class by a fight breaking out in the hallway. While there was much talk of whom – if anyone – was going to step forward and speak out against such violence, in the end it was just one student who actually took action.

Seeking to help his fellow schoolmates, Senior Thomas Solano diligently moved bystanders away from the fight and even tried to pacify the situation himself before security was able to arrive on the scene.

While it was ultimately the intervention of our hardworking security staff and a few bold teachers that stopped the altercation, it was Thomas’ contribution that stuck with me and led me to interviewing the officers of UNICEF to hear their thoughts on good citizenship.

According to UNICEF’s advisor Liz Chu, the club “is all about helping disadvantaged children” through various fundraising campaigns carried out by the organization of events and fundraisers, such as their upcoming Halloween grams, the profits of which will be sent to impoverished children of developing countries. In addition to helping children through general aid, UNICEF also provides funding for children’s cleft-lip correction operations.

Our school’s chapter usually sponsors two children a year and according to President Andrew La, one of the most rewarding parts of being in the club is receiving portraits of the children that were sponsored for that year after their surgery. La also added some of his favorite memories from being in the club were working benefit events like the annual karaoke night remarking how fun it is to watch the emcees improvise on stage and entertain the crowd.

Getting involved in service clubs is a great way to reach out to those in need in an organized way, which just goes to prove that one doesn’t have to be so bold as to dole out daily random acts of kindness to be an asset to their community.

We could always use more good citizens in the world. There is always a need for more peacemakers to talk their friends out of bad choices, more compassionate pre-period pedestrians willing to pick up some misplaced papers for a flustered student wanting a hand, more chivalrous ladies and gentlemen willing to hold doors open or even offer to lift a heavy burden for teachers and faculty members in need. The world could always use more of them, but I can happily say that I’ve seen them at West Covina High School and it brings a smile to my face when I see my fellow Bulldogs showing model citizenship.