Academic classes, sports, clubs, and weekend plans, are just some of the things that keep high schoolers busy. For sophomores Andrés Peñuela and Amaya Mejia, amd junior Lily Rose Tobins, philanthropy is also in the mix.  Despite their busy schedules, these students make time to support causes close to their hearts and have found meaningful ways to make a difference around the world.

Whether it’s raising money for an orphanage in Guatemala, organizing a backpack drive for needy children, or collecting clothes for families affected by the war in Israel, these students are using their resources and putting them towards the greater good. Their actions serve as a reminder that in the midst of a busy life, there’s always room to give back.

Andrés Peñuela ’27

Andrés has always enjoyed soccer and service. So, he decided to combine both passions in his life through Un Par Por Un Sueño, a non-profit whose original goal was to donate shoes to underprivileged children who have a passion for soccer in Caracas, Venezuela.

But Andrés’s work goes far beyond shoes. Over the past year, he’s helped organize impactful community drives — including a toy drive and a backpack campaign that collected nearly 500 backpacks filled with school supplies. He also organized fundraisers on Go Fund Me that helped raise over $1,500 to support essential needs like food, hygiene products, and educational materials.

“My parents have always taught me to give back so it’s something normal to me,” Peñuela said. “Knowing a kid out there is benefiting from my initiative makes it all worth it.”

In addition to organizing drives and leading fundraisers, Andrés also serves as a local ambassador for the organization, representing its mission across the Miami area and helping expand its reach. Balancing a rigorous academic schedule with many AP classes, sports like soccer and lacrosse, and service, he proves that making an impact isn’t about how much time you have — it’s about what you do with it.

Lily Rose Tobins ’26

After the October 7th attacks in Israel, Tobins felt an urgent need to help. As a member of the Jewish community, the events hit close to home and sparked conversations in her family to try and understand what people were going through. Due to the circumstances, Tobins was unable to travel to Israel so she began to think of ways she could support from afar.

She realized that collecting secondhand clothing could make a big difference since it is accessible and personal. A fan of thrifting herself, she organized a school-wide clothing drive in April through her initiative “LRT Closet” and was overwhelmed by the response.

“My car is stuffed to the brim,” Tobins said. “I’m so thankful to everyone who donated.”

All of the clothing will go to Yad Leah, a New Jersey based non-profit that distributed used clothing to families in neighborhoods across Israel who are working to rebuild their lives. Through her efforts, Tobins learned to turn her compassion into passion — one article of clothing at a time.

Amaya Mejia ’27

For Amaya, small acts can lead to big change. She visited the Misioneros del Camino orphanage in Guatemala numerous times, where she has created personal relationships with the children and has seen the impact of service firsthand.

Back home, she started Voices for Youth, a club that raises awareness for the orphanage that offers care, therapy, and support for children of traumatic backgrounds. The organization’s Catholic background also resonates with Amaya’s own faith, making her feel more involved and the process feel even more meaningful.

“By giving back to the kids at Hogar Misioneros, I feel more connected to my Catholic faith by seeing them trust God’s plan,” Mejia said.

Her club has organized ornament decorating activities, toy drives, and fundraisers to maximize their impact on those who need help and love the most. She hopes to continue supporting this cause with her next visit to the orphanage this November.

As a Digital Mass Media student, Amaya balances being on the staff of both The Raider Voice and Raider Vision, where she uses storytelling to highlight meaningful issues — much like she does through her work with Voices for Youth. Her goal is to uplift others and spark change.