On April 1, students and staff can indulge in Latin foods during a fundraiser that celebrates Hispanic Culture. Jemny Santana, a guidance counselor, says “It’s a collaboration between the Student Council with Ms. Peña and Ms. Rodriguez and the Cultural Hispanic Club, Ms. Aquino and myself.” She mentions how Latin Spanish food will be sold that day. This includes “White rice, yellow rice, rice and peas, chicken, pork, pasta and we’re going to have dessert like flan.”

Ms. Santana says “Everybody is welcome to participate; it doesn’t have to be only people who participate in the club because this is going to be open for the entire school.” She also emphasizes the importance of students working as a team, learning about other cultures and their food.

Ashley Rodriguez, an English teacher, said,  “A lot of students in Student Council had an idea that they wanted to raise funds to help many families who are facing immigration issues. We are going to donate it to a cause that helps with immigration costs.”

She loves how “some of the students are either donating actual food that they are making with their parents or making themselves, or they’re going to donate their time to make sure that the fundraiser runs as smoothly as possible.”

 “The importance is to show that Bronx River is a melting pot, so we want to make sure that we are always supporting our community,” she said.

English teacher Concepcion Peña, said, “During the trying times right now we know that a lot of families are going through a lot with trying to raise money for lawyers or even just trying to sustain their household. We just want to help alleviate as much as we can.”

She believes that “Students have a voice and the reason why we do this through Student Council is so we can show the students that they do have the capability of having their voice out there, being able to express themselves for something that’s important to them.”

Alfa Aquino, the Spanish teacher, wants “to be able to give back to those that need the most.” She mentions foods at the fundraiser like roasted chicken legs, moros, which is rice and black beans, pernil, which is pork shoulder, and baked pastries.