The club was founded in the spring of 2015. UNICEF Club at Niles West High School is located in Skokie, Illinois. The idea for a club originated from an art assignment assigned by Ms. Deanna Sortino. In Room 1730, the Advanced 2-D Design class worked in teams to create infographics and a video regarding the commercial sexual exploitation of children in Nicaragua. By researching information and following the UNICEF branding (design guildlines), it became the inspiration for continuing the goals of UNICEF.
Peter Gawo was the first president of the Niles West UNICEF Club. Alongside fellow members of Advanced 2-D Design, his involvement included a UNICEF High School and Campus Initiative meeting at Loyola University in Chicago. His early leadership set the foundation for the future success of the club, its leaders, and the impact on the school and community.
2015-2016 marked the first official year of UNICEF Club at Niles West.Thanks to the guidance of Whitney Cross and Deanna Sortino, the club reached a level of success that would not be possible without the members of the school and community. Some new activities the club hosted include: Trick or Treat for UNICEF, He Named Me Malala film screening and clothing drive, the Stella and Dot Fundraiser, and more. Our club was able to reach out to more members within the school, including other clubs such as National Art Honor Society, Feminist Club, and DIY Club.
The board members of 2015-2016:
President: Tammy Wen
Vice-President: An Luu
Secretary: Mintra Omsin
Treasury: Amanda Lay
Social Media handlers: Yoomi Lee
The board members of 2016-2017:
President: Sedra Khan
Vice-President: Anna Heins and An Luu
Secretary: Edie Alvarado
Treasury: Zoha Ullah
Social Media handlers: Yoomi Lee