Life of Cesar Chavez inspires Hemet students
Students from the Service Learning Clubs from Hemet middle schools celebrated the values of Cesar Chavez Saturday with a multicultural fair that included displays on countries from around the world.
The Service Learning Club is a part of the Students Achieving in Fun Environments (SAFE) after-school program at Hemet Unified School District. The club was formed in Dartmouth, Acacia, Santa Fe and Diamond Valley middle schools through a grant from the Cesar Chavez Foundation.
Each school has about 20 students in the club who learn about Cesar Chavez’s service to the community and how it applies to everyday life.
Cesar Chavez Day was Monday, so it was appropriate for students to organize an event and present their views on what the late labor leader stood for.
"Some of Cesar Chavez’s values are like acceptance of all people, knowledge, service," said Mueez Hussain, an eighth-grader at Dartmouth Middle School. "Learning those helped us learn how to organize a day like this. I think accepting people from all different cultures is the most important part."
Students in the Service Learning Club met at least three days a week to learn about the life and values of Cesar Chavez.
And for the past two months, they have been planning the fair by deciding everything from guests to decorations.
"We just want kids to understand that their participation and determination will make a difference in the community and the lives of others," said Vicki Howe, program coach for SAFE and coordinator for the fair.
At the fair, students took turns on the stage to talk about what they learned about Cesar Chavez — his life, accomplishments and significance.
"It feels good that we are the ones doing it, not the adults," said Taylor Myers, an eighth-grader at Acacia Middle School.
Gilbert Reyes, a Mescalero Apache Indian, was a guest at the event invited to share his culture with the students.
Reyes said that students have asked him if Native Americans traveled on horses and lived in tepees.
"I like to show them the correct way to understand Native American Indians," Reyes said. "I tell them my tepee is a two-story house with a fireplace and a microwave."
Shashi Kumar, of Hemet, is an immigrant from India. For her booth, Kumar brought saris, books, Indian currency and traditional jewelry.
"They ask so many questions," Kumar said. "It’s nice to know they are curious and want to learn about places that are far away."
City leaders, including members of the police department and Ramona Humane Society, also had booths at the fair.
Diane Cardinalli, SAFE program coordinator, said the event gives students a chance to interact with members from the community and learn about things outside of textbooks and classrooms.
"This is a great opportunity to find out who they are and what they believe," she said.
Reach Erica Shen at 951-763-3466, or eshen@PE.com