|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
St. Brendan High School proudly announces that junior Camila Bisio has been honored with the prestigious AP with WE Service Recognition, becoming the first student in the school’s history to receive this national award.
Presented by the College Board in partnership with the WE Charity, the AP with WE Service Recognition celebrates students who integrate meaningful service projects into their Advanced Placement coursework. Camila earned this distinction through her impactful initiative, launched in her AP Capstone Seminar class, which focused on collecting gently used shoes for local shelters. Her project not only addressed a tangible need in the community but also exemplified the values of empathy, leadership, and civic engagement that St. Brendan High School strives to instill in its students.
Camila’s inspiration for the project came from her own experience as a runner. “I’ve been running since I was in elementary school and always had the opportunity to have new gear every season,” she shared. “Because I’ve been going to Catholic school since kindergarten, I’ve always been taught to give to those who have less than I do. So I decided that I wanted to make an impact by collecting and donating shoes for those in need.”
Her efforts led to a wave of generosity across the school community, with students and families donating dozens of pairs of shoes. “Seeing how many people came together reminded me that small actions can have a big impact,” Camila said. “I wanted to create something that didn’t just check a box for a class, but actually helped people.”
Since starting the project, Camila says she’s gained a deeper appreciation for the things many take for granted. “In taking these shoes to shelters, I saw how grateful many women were to receive shoes for themselves and their children, regardless of whether they were new or gently used,” she reflected.
The WE Charity is an international organization dedicated to empowering youth through service learning and social action. Its mission is to shift the focus from “me” to “we,” encouraging students to become active participants in solving local and global challenges. Through programs like WE Schools and WE Day, the organization has inspired millions of young people to lead with compassion and purpose.
“We are incredibly proud of Camila’s achievement,” said Principal Ivette Alvarez, MS Ed. “Her dedication to service and her ability to connect academic learning with real-world impact reflect the heart of Catholic education. Camila’s work is an inspiration to our entire school community.”
“To me, this recognition means that the work I am putting into my project is being recognized and hopefully inspiring others to give as well,” Camila said. “I hope this recognition allows others to see that giving does not have to be something massive and extravagant, it just needs to be meaningful.”
St. Brendan High School congratulates Camila on this recognition and looks forward to supporting more students in using their education to make a difference in the world.
