Macy McMullin 

In America, approximately fourteen percent of the population speaks Spanish as their first language. With the fact that the number continues to grow, many people think the new generation should learn a new language. These thoughts have caused the Papillion La-Vista High School Spanish club to go to two different elementary schools to read a Spanish book to the students! 

The trip is being led by Amanda Butler, a teacher in the school. She had not run the Spanish Club prior to this year. Previously, Ms. Darling, who told Butler about the trip, handled the club.  

“I do not know exactly how long she had done it,” Butler said. “At least three years, but I know it was before then.” 

The members of the Spanish Club are separated into groups. Each group has done a presentation about the book ‘Cinco Monitos Leen en la Cama.’ The kids have made a poster that has Spanish words frequently shown in the book and a drawing of the word to help kids remember some Spanish.  

When they arrive at the elementary school, one member of the group will read a page of the book. Then, someone will translate it into English. Many students have participated in the activity. One of them was Macalan Ford. 

Ford worked on his poster with three other students. He stated that he loves his poster and thinks it shows signs of creativity. He also said he likes the design. 

“We have the title on the top,” Ford said, “and we have the poster divided into eighths with the vocab word and a picture.” 

Butler said she also loved the posters.  

“I can really tell how much effort and work was put into each poster.” 

Unfortunately, neither Butler nor Ford will be able to go. Butler cannot go because the trip takes place during school hours and she must teach. Ford cannot go, but he hopes his assistance in the project helped. However, the fact that they won’t travel hasn’t stopped them from being exited for the Spanish Club to have this opportunity! 

“[When Ms. Butler told us about the trip I thought] it sounded amazing,” Ford said. “I was very excited the club would get to teach children.” 

“I think [this project is] a great opportunity to get elementary students interested in learning a foreign language,” Butler said. 

The Spanish Club changed their one meeting a month to one every week for the trip. Every Thursday in February, a meeting was held that consisted of getting ready to teach the elementary students. Now, the trip is right around the corner; the Spanish Club will leave in mere days. 

“Now it’s just a matter of reading the book,” Ford said. 

Since the trip will happen so soon, Ford and Butler started thinking how the kids will react to the presentation. 

“I think that the elementary students will really enjoy the high schoolers because they look up to them,” Butler said. 

Butler and Ford stated they enjoyed this project so much that it had been both of their favorite thing they did in Spanish Club. Ford said the only thing he would change about the trip is his schedule so he could go.  

When asked what they enjoyed most, Ford said he feels very satisfied with the poster. 

“I definitely think [the kids will] like the poster,” he said. 

“I am very happy with the teamwork and creativity,” Butler responded with. 

When Butler and Ford were asked if they had anything to add, they both had an answer. 

“I hope the club members and the kids will have a good time and enjoy Spanish,” Ford said. 

“I think this project is extra special,” Butler said. “This is because the clubs get to go to another school and teach.” 

Even though Amanda Butler and Macalan Ford won’t be able to directly teach the elementary students Spanish, they know they will be there in spirit as the Spanish Butler taught and the contributions Ford made to the poster are the reasons why the trip is possible!