Copyrighted 2003 JDHS NHS

On January 17, 2003, Co-President Nestor Gomez presented a plan before the Davis National Honor Society Council regarding the efforts to participate at this year’s AIDS Walk Houston. The Council discussed the plan in great detail before it was approved unanimously on January 31, 2003.

“It has always been my intention to promote and participate at events like these [AIDS Walk Houston]. I feel that it is a necessity to give students a real-life perception outside the doors of Davis High.” Pres. Gomez told the Council.

As Team Captain, Pres. Gomez first began promoting the event by requesting donations of $10 from all 35 NHS members. Unfortunately, members were unwilling to donate as little as $5. However, throughout the week all NHS members emptied their pockets for a good cause, and totaled an impressive $115 in donations.

Pres. Gomez then took his next bold initiative to promote the event school wide. He did this by announcing the event and asking donations over the intercom during the morning announcements over a period of three weeks. Gomez discussed about staggering statistics in the Houston area, and emotional facts such as the growing trend of dying adolescents due to AIDS.

“I want to graduate with a feeling that serious matters such as AIDS or HIV should be discussed in public environments without the worry if the person sitting next to you thinks you are Gay or HIV positive. This school has blinded the student body from real-life matters such as AIDS, HIV, and homosexuality. I want the students to understand that it's part of life, and it's OK.” Co-President said.

On February 21, 2003, the NHS Council decided to make a collection box and place it in the main office for those interested to give donations. Pres. Gomez then made flyers, which Treasure Glasey Capuchina and Parliamentarian Jorge Chavez distributed across the school campus.

The following week, the NHS Council passed a requirement for all NHS members to collect an additional $20 from various sources. The outcome and efforts from all NHS members was astonishing. Every single member returned with at least $20 in donations in less than two weeks. Members Dante and Junuen Salgado collected an amazing total of $94 in donations, and Selene De La Rosa collected a whopping total of $109 in donations.

On Friday, March 07, 2003 two days before the event, the NHS Council decided to walk around the campus during lunch and request everyone for at least a dollar in donations.

By the end of all efforts, all NHS members and the NHS Council collected an amazing and astonishing total of $815 in donations.

“I am more than impressed with this group of kids. My goal was a reasonable $300, but I underestimated the will and empathetic nature of these kids. They should be proud of themselves, not only for collecting such an immense total, but for their innate will to help others.” Said Pres. Nestor Gomez.

Thirty-five students composed from the NHS Organization and the Davis Girl and Boy’s Soccer Team walked on Sunday, March 09, 2003.

It was a sunny and pacific day; cheerful and motivating people, heterosexuals socializing with homosexuals; and along with the impressive sight of multi-representation of ethnicities. NHS members were proud to return the next day and tell all their friends of their humanitarian experience.

Co-President Gomez reminded all students over the purpose of getting involved in such matters, he stated in a letter to all NHS members;

"This is the first year the NHS at Davis has participated in a walk - lets make it a memorable one. It is my vision to see Davis adopt this participation throughout the campus and make it an annual tradition. Class of 2004, we, NHS Officers of Class of 2003, have now handed you the torch, it is time that you continue down the journey of success that we have left for you to enhance. Please place an emphasis of volunteerism and ethics in a school that cries for change – it is time to realize that you are now the leaders."

Principal Diana Mulet later commended the efforts of the Davis National Honor Society, recognizing the determination and leadership skills of the NHS Council to discuss serious and uncomfortable matters with students in an effective fashion.