UNICEF Charity Dinner Brings Schools Together
Caroline Lee
Staff Writer
High school UNICEF clubs, including AHS’s, held their Snowflake Ball on Saturday, March 15, 2014, after much planning and delay.
The event, which was intended to take place in December, was held at the Berryessa Community Center in San Jose from six to nine in the evening. With proceeds going to the Typhoon Haiyan relief, the night included speeches from each of the six participating schools, with Treasurer and senior Roger Lee representing AHS, raffles, auctions, food, and performances, the latter being one of the highlights of the night. 
“My favorite part was the entertainment,” senior Monica Hung said. “There was a girl who sang ‘All of Me’ by John Legend fantastically and Matthew [Downing] astounded the crowds with his infallible magic tricks. It was all nicely tied together with Owen’s [Farmer’s] unicycling finale.”
However, the fact that six schools–American, Evergreen Valley, Independence, Leland, Milpitas, and Piedmont Hills–collaborated on this project is what makes this charity dinner stand out from others like it.
“This charity dinner is different from many that clubs hold due to the fact that Snowflake Ball works with other schools around the Milpitas and San Jose area,” Lee said. “Most charity dinners here at American are usually hosted by itself or with neighboring schools around Fremont.”
This new way of planning events has shown its benefits, bringing clubs together for a common cause.
“Working with fellow officers and other schools created a new experience of teamwork,” AHS UNICEF Eleventh Grade Representative and junior Czarina Bayani said. “It felt like it created a bond amongst the East Bay because these officers from other schools were very welcoming and warm.”
Still, the togetherness was not always easy, with distance bringing difficulties and setbacks.
“There were problems with working with other schools,” Bayani said. “The Snowflake Ball was coming inching closer to the final date and it was harder for American High officers to contact with the San Jose Unified School District officers because they were so far away. Although, we had a meeting every weekend, it still didn’t allow flexibility and commitment.”
Nevertheless, officers were happy with the turnout as approximately one hundred fifty people attended and the non-profit organization’s message against human trafficking was advocated.
“Overall, the dinner was incredibly fun,” Lee said. “However, the ambiance and audience were nothing less than spectacular. They made the Snowflake Ball an unforgettable night.”
The event has left Ninth Grade Representative and freshmen Owen Farmer optimistic for the future of UNICEF clubs in the Bay Area, but it also has given AHS UNICEF a reputation of dedication and worth.
“The fact that these officers would experience a one-hour commute going to and from meetings held in San Jose just shows us how dedicated they were towards making this ball a success and how motivated they were towards raising funds to help with the Typhoon Haiyan relief,” Independence High School UNICEF President Melissa Ly said. “It is without a doubt when I say that the Snowflake Ball would not have been possible, nonetheless successful, if it weren’t for the inspiring individuals at AHS. On top of their efficient work ethic and effective leadership skills, AHS was a pleasure to work with.”
Eagle Era 