Although she is afraid of dogs, Coral Gables High senior Yanik Ariste put together pet supply drives her sophomore and junior years. Items collected were donated to the Humane Society and plans call for her to do another drive this school year.
“My freshman year, I had noticed no drive was for animals,” Ariste said.
The items were donated to the Humane Society, which was chosen for its no-kill policies.
“We collected pet beds, shampoos, leashes, paper towels, toys, and collars,” she said.
The first year, approximately 2,000 items were donated. Last year, the items collected were in the 2,500 range. The pet collection drives were done in conjunction with the service club, Interact. This year she is Interact president.
“We do a couple of community service events each month,” Ariste said. “I want to do more community service events. Maybe four or five.”
She also is considering partnerships with other high school. She is on the Interact district board.
Ariste also is president of the International Baccalaureate Honor Society at Gables. IBHS hosts an International Dinner each year to raise money that is donated to a worthy cause. Last year the money was given to the Best Buddies program at Gables.
“It helped create a room, which is going to be called the Buddy’s Place,” she said. “So, buddies can have lunch or a place to have lunch.”
Ariste has done another community service project called Caps of Love Collection. The project helps a Florida-based charity that sells the plastic bottle caps to recycling center and then uses the money to buy wheelchairs for needy children.
Ariste is treasurer of student government this year. And she is a member of Future Business Leaders of America. She has competed at the local, state and national level in the insurance and risk management category taking fourth place nationally. Her junior year she competed in the healthcare administration category.
— Linda Rodriguez Bernfeld
