Entering the new school year, questions of HIP (Health Information Project) were up in the air. The Health Information Project is a nonprofit organization that aims to educate high school students on physical and emotional health.
As the club was inactive last school year, sponsor Mrs. Pardo and the new board have done everything in their power to make this year the best year yet!
This organization has around over 440,000 students who all give useful advice and teach underclassmen important life lessons that they will need in their near future. With there also being around 21,000 high school trainers and 425,000 students being taught HIP, Pines Charter is proud to say that they are a part of the HIP community and the growth of the organization as a whole.
“HIP is such a different and interesting club that caught my interest early on, it’s not a typical club. All members do something in HIP and effect it in such a beneficial way. This shows how all members are leaders” senior and Corresponding Secretary Fabrizio Cioffi expresses.
An annual HIP convention that happens at the beginning of each school year, held in Davie, Florida goes in depth and explains what is expected from each HIP board and teaches the officers here at Pines Charter what will be expected of them. Educating the board members how to address certain sensitive issues like drugs, nutrition, and bullying.
Charter has over 40 members in HIP this year and senior president Marina Conklin feels thrilled to lead such a talented group. “At the end of the day if we can impact just one student’s life then it would mean having a resource out there has made a difference.” Conklin also continues to explain that, “In order to spread information, but also act as an outlet that anyone could come up with if they need help.”
This is not just any club, HIP is a way upperclassmen become the teachers in the classroom. Junior Catalina Castro, a new HIP mentor, has overcome a lot of emotion. “HIP has taught me a lot about breaking away from anxiety, standing up in front of young nervous ninth graders, and teaching them important health lessons that can help improve their lives.”
Being able to open up about physical and mental health and focusing on creating a safe environment is what HIP is all about. Pembroke Pines Charter will continue to spread HIP’s legacy: Be happy! Be healthy! Be HIP!
