Cape High Latino club paves way for new students

Being a new student can be daunting. Being a new student who doesn’t speak the language can be terrifying.

With about 75 members, and another 25 graduates who continue to support the club, Cape High’s Latin American Student Organization provides welcoming assistance for the school’s newest Latino students.

Spanish teacher Estefania Becker and English-learner teacher Kasey Lynn-Gadzinski said about half the club’s members were born in America, with the other half born elsewhere. 

Over 16 percent of Cape High students are Hispanic; 11 of 14 students who took the Advanced Placement Spanish exam last year were LASO students, and they were the highest-scoring subgroup in all AP tests. 

LASO Treasurer Marelyn Rodriguez said members help integrate new Latin American students into the community.

“There was a new student in class who didn’t know English, so I went and talked to him,” she said. “I want to make them feel welcome. I think of how my parents were new to the country, and I was ELL, so I know what they’re going through.”

Junior Albert Baltazar-Gomez said student heritage is from all Central American countries and Mexico. His sister, senior Berenice Baltazar, does public relations for LASO.

“It’s nice to meet new students, and it’s always good to talk to Latin people in this country,” Albert said. “We’re a united group. Everyone cares about each other; we have each other’s backs.”

Sophomore Daniela Sanchez, who serves as club historian and JROTC assistant platoon sergeant, said she escorts new students to class to help them feel comfortable. 

While she was born in America, Daniela’s family moved to Mexico for several years, and she returned in middle school as an English-learner. Lynn-Gadzinski said Daniela is nearly ready to transfer out of ELL.

“She’s a phenomenal role model,” Lynn-Gadzinksi said. “She has her own JROTC classroom where she helps others learn English. She’s only in 10th grade, and she’s figured things out and done very well for herself.”

Becker said LASO members promote understanding and acceptance of people from different backgrounds. They develop leadership skills and become mentors by translating, providing after-school tutoring, and helping with college and student-aid applications.

“Many students speak Spanish and English at home, so their parents learn a lot from them, too,” she said. “They love sharing their bilingual abilities with teachers and other students.”

Lynn-Gadzinski said LASO students promote awareness of Latino culture. In a particularly tasty example that was also a club fundraiser, students made pupusas, a Salvadorian dish of cornmeal filled with beans, tomatoes, cheese and pork, for teachers to purchase. The organization raised money to buy Christmas presents for four Cape families last year.

Other service events include signing up children for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library at Lewes Public Library, where Spanish speakers were needed. They intern with the district’s Spanish immersion program, and visit Beacon and Mariner middle schools to promote LASO in high school.

“I have an older brother who was in the club, and he told me when I was in eighth grade - you’re doing this!” Marelyn laughed.

Marelyn said because so many Hispanics play soccer, the club is planning a cultural night with the boys’ soccer team next fall.

“We want to hold it on a night they play another team with a lot of Hispanics,” she said. “We’ll set up flags so players can stand behind their flags against racism.”

Lynn-Gadzinksi said while some new students want to figure things out on their own, those who join LASO often bloom more quickly. 

“Their English gets better, and they become more active,” she said. “It really pushes them along in a positive way. Students who are not of Hispanic descent are also joining the club. It’s an opportunity for them to support their friends and learn about other cultures.”

Albert is a prime example of the club’s success. He’s been invited to a singing audition for acceptance to The Juilliard School, a prestigious performing arts conservatory in New York City.

“I’m not sure I’ll do it; I’m also interested in University of Delaware,” he said. “My sister is in college. She's a big inspiration to me.”

Lynn-Gadzinksi said advisors stress that college and scholarships are accessible; the club will visit UD in March. Becker hopes to groom members as future immersion teachers for the district.

“They can be eligible for the SEED program if they keep their grades up,” Lynn-Gadzinksi said. “Doors they didn’t know about can open for them and give them something to work toward.”

Students enjoyed learning about American culture through an end-of-the-year visit to Six Flags that was open to all students.

“Many new students had never been to an amusement park before,” Lynn-Gadzinksi said. “It’s important for them to be able to experience that part of America and being a teenager.”

For students, it’s all about camaraderie, acceptance and honoring their heritage.

“It’s a great way to make friends and learn more about other cultures, even if the kids weren’t born there,” Albert said. “When you help a kid, you see your parents in them - how they struggled to learn new ways and language - and you just want to help.”