Dobyns-Bennett celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month through student club

KINGSPORT, Tenn. (WJHL) – The Hispanic Heritage Club at Dobyns-Bennett High School was formed last year and continues to grow to this day.

“We started with about 40 kids at the beginning of last year and it’s continued to grow,” Sarah Good, Sponsor of the Hispanic Heritage Club, said.

Since the club’s inception, Good said she’s learned a lot.

“It is a cool culture that they get to celebrate and it is not quite as well known in East Tennessee,” Good said. “This is a great way for them to teach the rest of the school about traditions and culture.”

Sarah Arreola is the President of the Hispanic Heritage Club. She said the idea to start a club at Dobyns-Bennett came from a neighboring university in the region.

“This idea came up during the Hispanic student day at ETSU,” Arreola said. “Students gathered and they just wanted to build a club and I just felt like it was important to create a club, especially in a predominately Caucasian area. We are underrepresented and this way we can be more represented and have a greater outcome.”

The club focuses on representation at events in the region, fundraisers and community outreach. Students meet every Thursday from 3 – 4 p.m.

“The first few minutes will be discussing, and then the last part we do more action-based activities,” Arreola said. “Right now, we’re coloring and decorating the school but other times we’re learning what our next fundraiser is going to be about and who is going to do what.”

All students are welcome, regardless of their heritage. Arreola said the club would like to develop relationships with community partners in the future.

Their goal is to fundraise enough money for a Latin prom or some sort of party at the end of the school year.

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