As Feb. comes to an end, many meaningful moments leave along with it. This month was full of spreading love and raising awareness of different cultures and traditions among the diverse student body. As part of Women’s History Month and the recent World Hijab Day, Pembroke Pines Charter High School’s Muslim Student Association (MSA) held its fourth annual Hijab Walk-A-Thon.
The night was filled with fun, as various clubs hosted engaging booths with entertaining games, a coffee stand with fun flavors, and henna. The food provided showcased many students’ cultures and was enjoyed by many. Most importantly to end the event, MSA’s vice president and sophomore Rayan Akhter delivered a speech on the significance of the hijab in Islam, what it represents, and why we should honor this headwear.
Junior Julia Cortes comments, “my favorite part of the Hijab Walk-A-Thon was the amount of welcoming smiles at each booth. It helped me, someone who was not aware of much of this event, feel welcomed and involved in the event!”
Despite the event’s success, the preparation process was one of the most stressful parts, as MSA only had three weeks to plan.
Junior Aleena Ismail, MSA’s event coordinator, says “it was difficult to find sponsors/vendors, but we were able to go through with this event because of all the board members’ contributions and support from our sponsor, Ms. Carrasco.”
Muslim Student Association’s goal is to have all the profits raised during the Hijab Walk-A-Thon donated to a chosen charity. With all the different events happening worldwide, MSA wants to raise awareness and solidarity for Muslim women and donate to refugees in third-world Muslim countries.
Sophomore and president of PPCHS UNICEF Reyna Kannan shares, “Our trivia booth was fun, and it was exciting to see people learning while competing. I wish more had attended, but overall, it was a great experience to build on!”
The Hijab Walk-A-Thon was more than just an event, it was a celebration of unity and understanding. Principal of PPCHS, Peter Bayer expresses, “celebrating our diverse students and culture is important because it highlights South Florida’s diversity and fosters pride, acceptance, and education within our community.”
As MSA continues to promote awareness and support for Muslim women, events like these serve as a reminder of the strength found in diversity. Looking ahead, the club hopes to expand its reach, encourage even more participation, and continue fostering a welcoming space for all students no matter their background.
