MTHS Spanish Students Make a Difference

By Bryana Cielo, Montville Township High School

Inspired by the Rachel’s Challenge assembly back in October, Mrs. Przetak’s Spanish classes teamed up to work toward one common goal: to spread kindness.

Each multiple-week activity had a different goal. Each day of the week, they filled out a chain link with an act of kindness translated into Spanish.

After a few weeks, students had a new initiative. They began calling family members who lived great distances away, both nationally and internationally.

Somya Gambhir told us that he called his grandmother in India, and added, “I spoke to her and caught up with everything happening over there - including how my cousins were doing. We talked in both English and Hindi. I call my grandma once every few weeks now.”

The purpose of this gesture was to make people smile, and it proved to be very successful.

“After calling my grandma who lives in Florida, she was so happy and surprised. I don’t see her often and it was a simple thing to do to brighten her day!” said junior Kayla Armando.

The following week, students consciously complimented at least one person per day and wrote their compliments on chain links. From November 10-20, Mrs. Przetak’s students brought in cans for the MTHS Food Drive, and each food item was recorded on a chain link and added to the others. Over 220 food items were accumulated! These individual acts of kindness spread - when put together, the chain links expanded from the World Language wing into the Math wing.

Mrs. Przetak is extremely proud of her students.

“My students are always willing to lend a hand,” she shared, “They are very kind towards each other and respect each other’s differences. Respecting the diversity of others through a kind and generous spirit is a life lesson that is being taught in our Spanish classes as well.”