More than 17 years ago, back in the 2000s, before Ms. Dollinger arrived at Alder, Spanish Club was founded. The club continues today, focusing on incorporating culture and charity in their work. It spans all grade levels and is open for all who are interested. 

Spanish Club does a considerable amount of charity for the Hispanic community. They have made cards for kids in hospitals, translated for Monroe on parent teacher nights, and have collected soccer gear in suitcases for kids in South America. The most notable and current one to date, however, is undoubtedly the Pulsera Project. 

“We have done the Pulsera Project since I took over the Spanish club, which was probably about 12 years ago,” club advisor Lindsay Dollinger says. “It’s a non-profit that raises money for bracelet makers in Guatemala and Nicaragua… There are others but those are the two main countries. They send us their bracelets and we send them back all the money we get so they can build schools, afford education, and to create jobs that are actual living wage jobs, because the average income is around 275$ a month, so we can help them not live in poverty.”

Spanish Club is also a very cultural club in that they try to celebrate cultures of Spanish-speaking countries. 

“We celebrate Dia de los Muertos in November, which is popular in Mexican culture and other hispanic countries,” says senior and club president Estrella Flores-Villanueva. “We mostly just do music and dance. We also do the door decorating contest, which is for the Day of the Dead as well, which is a way to share a tradition with the school community.”

A few months ago, on November 3, the group of students walked around the school and rated doors for the Día De Los Muertos door decorating competition. Mrs. Dollinger’s advisory won the competition. 

According to Flores-Villanueva, the club also offered Flamenco Dance classes during sophomore year.

Those interested in joining can talk to Ms. Dollinger in room 202. Meetings are after school on set dates.