Members of Marian’s Spanish Honor Society pack warm clothing, including hats, gloves, scarves, and jackets to deliver to Neinas Elementary School in Detroit.

Marian Spanish Honor Society Collaborates with Detroit School

Marian’s Spanish Honor Society (SHS) recently visited Detroit’s Neinas Elementary School for what has become an annual visit. Neinas Elementary is a preK-5th grade, public, dual language learning academy in southwest Detroit. More than half of the students who attend Neinas are bilingual, while some speak only Spanish. 

Marian’s partnership with Neinas’ third grade teacher, Amy Lazarowicz, has grown through the past decade. What started as a field trip for the Spanish Honors Society has blossomed over 10 years into a friendship, fostering solidarity and bridging students with students – language learners with language learners.

The December SHS/Neinas visit began with storytime. Junior Marissa Esshaki read aloud to the students in their native Spanish, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, while Junior Caroline Tuohy read Oh the Places You’ll Go to the other third grade class, comprised mostly of native English speakers. Both groups of third graders were absolutely enthralled. After story time, students colored Christmas ornaments, decorated (and ate!) Christmas cookies, and, by the end of the visit, exchanged laughs, hugs, and stories.

Marian participants were so moved by the experience that a small group of SHS members, led by Senior Kelli Conway, has taken the initiative to host a cold-weather clothing collection to benefit their new friends. In addition to an impromptu December collection from the 90+ current members of the Spanish Honor Society, arrangements have been made with Senior Hunter Maclean’s charity, Warm Detroit. Thanks to overwhelming participation from Marian’s freshman class for this year’s Thanksgiving collection, Warm Detroit will be providing hats, gloves, and mittens to keep Neinas students warm this winter season. The clothing, including much-need boots, will be delivered to Neinas sometime before Christmas.

The community building aspect of this visit was a key takeaway for the SHS student members, the parent volunteers, and also SHS moderator Stacey Cushman. The Spanish language was a common denominator and a natural springboard for the camaraderie that took root. Many Marian students are already anxious to return to visit during the April Junior Class service day (during which Marian assists with Neinas’ Engineering Fair) and for the spring SHS/Neinas classroom visit.

Located in Bloomfield Hills, Marian High School is a Catholic college preparatory school for young women sponsored by the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.  The mission of Marian High School is to ensure an excellent education within a Christian environment, which will enable young women to value human diversity and live responsible lives of leadership and action based on gospel values. 
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Marian High School

7225 Lahser Road Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301
PHONE: 248-644-1750 - Marian High School
Marian High School, an IHM sponsored school, is fully accredited by NCA CASI, an accrediting division of AdvancED.

Marian is a Catholic college preparatory school for young women, sponsored by the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

The mission of Marian is to ensure, within a Christian environment, an excellent education built on a strong academic curriculum, which will enable young women to value human diversity and live responsible lives of leadership and action based on gospel values.

An enduring tradition: guiding young women spiritually, challenging them academically, and inspiring them to a life of leadership and service.