The sound of laughter and the scent of sweet ice cream filled the halls of Manhattan High as the Spanish Club began a new year. The club is transforming its purpose, moving beyond casual get-togethers to become a central hub for cultural understanding and community engagement.

Leading the charge is club president Mason Gish, whose vision for the year is clear. 

“My vision for the club… is to bring people together and kind of learn about Hispanic culture,” Gish said.

Gish and his team are planning a variety of new events, including a dancing social, to make this happen. A recent ice cream social served as a fun kickoff to the year. 

“We ate ice cream, and people got to be around and play some games,” Gish said. “Everyone had a fun time. People made some new friends.”

Vice President Caris Goering echoed this sentiment.
“[the best part is] getting to work with the Hispanic Student Union and get to know them better, and get to do a lot of activities with them,” Goering said.

Goering, who handles much of the day-to-day operations, noted that they are trying to make Spanish Club more involved this year. 

“We’re trying to just make it a more serious, consistent club in the school,” Goering said.

According to sponsor Carmen Wilson, the club has evolved to something more serious that can give students opportunities to take initiative and be involved. 

“[It went from] mostly social to…school spirit,” she said, “more leadership opportunities in planning and organizing events…of the club.”

This emphasis on student-led activities is a deliberate effort to create a more dynamic and engaging club environment. Wilson highlighted the club’s ongoing project of providing ACT prep for students as a key accomplishment that “supports academic success in our school community.”

For Wilson, the deeper meaning of language learning is what drives her. 

“Learning a language is about connecting with people and understanding new perspectives,” Wilson said, “ 

What matters most is being able to communicate. People from other countries will understand and connect with you regardless of mistakes, and that’s the beauty of language learning.”

To new members, both Gish and Wilson had similar advice. 

“Jump in and get involved — don’t be afraid to try new things and meet new people,” Wilson said. “The more you participate, the more fun you’ll have.”

Ultimately, the Spanish Club aims to be more than just a place to hang out; it’s an opportunity for students to not only expand their vocabulary but also to expand their worldview, one conversation and cultural event at a time.

“[it is great] seeing students take initiative, have fun together, and discover how language and culture can bring people closer,” Wilson said.