Erica Valdellon is a senior at Glendale High School. She was born in Glendale, and this is her fourth year attending our school. She appreciates the diversity of GHS, how everyone is open to others, and the variety of friend groups found here. 

Erica loves the piano and has been playing it for seven years. Aside from being the president of this year’s Filipino Club, she is also a member of the GHS Explosion Staff, where she is serving as Spotlight Editor, and she is a part of the varsity track and field team.

Erica was part of the Filipino Club during her freshman year, but she felt that there was no engagement between the members. However, she decided to restart the club for the 2022-2023 school year. She feels that the purpose of this club is to provide an inclusive community and introduce others to the rich culture of the Philippines.

During club meetings, Erica is set on developing Filipino language skills, learning about the country’s music, and playing games enjoyed by previous generations. She plans to highlight the childhood experiences of Filipino parents, which will hopefully make the club meetings more interesting.

Erica also wants to increase engagement from her club members, instead of simply having them attend meetings and eventually leave the club. She also has plans on collaborating with Filipino Club members from other schools.

Erica’s favorite part of being a club president is getting to know more people and helping them to celebrate their Filipino roots, whether they be full or half Filipino. She wants students to join the club, because it’s a new start, compared to what the club used to be.

Erica assures club members that they will learn plenty of different aspects of Filipino culture. She also wants members to feel free to be involved in the club’s decision-making process, along with the members of the cabinet.

After leaving high school, Erica dreams of becoming a nurse and working with children. At this time, this dream seems so far away from her, but she knows that the years will go by fast, just like her time in high school. 

“Hopefully after my senior year, there is someone to take over the club and continue to pass it down to the next classes,” she said. “I want the club to stay without leaving, like the past two years.” 

Erica hopes that everything goes well this year, and she has many fun activities planned for her club members. If you are interested in learning more about Filipino culture, please join this new club! You can follow them on Instagram: @ghs.filipinoclub2023.