AACC members posing for a group photo. A diverse group of students join together to celebrate history and culture.

The African American Caribbean Club, founded by Mrs. Leon-Pineros and Mrs. Rosario it is a great group for the African American Caribbean students at Patchogue-Medford High School. It has various activities like the different bring your cultural food potlucks, helping the CTE programs with the fashion show and more.

The club contains a variety of Caribbean people from Pat-Med, they come together on Thursdays after school and go over the different countries and history behind them and how they formed and interacted with one another.

Mrs.Leon-Pinero’s said “a safe space for students not only of African heritage but for all students to connect with others and embrace their roots culture.”

“Yes, I wasn’t so involved with clubs in high school but started joining clubs like the Hispanic Heritage Club in college. It allows one to connect with the other parts of the Caribbean (referring to the diversity of the club).

When asked, Mrs. Rosario said “The club means a lot to me.  I started this club with some of these students and another social worker.   I wanted a place where students can come, socialize, discuss ways to improve themselves, and learn new things in a safe and comfortable environment. When I was in high school, I went to a predominately white school. There were only about 25-30 minorities in the entire school.  I wish I had been a part of such a great club. Students are able to exchange cultural knowledge and share experiences with one another.”

Jalissah,  a student who is part of the AACC said, “the club means a lot to me, it’s where I can authentically and proudly be myself, as the president, I put my whole life into this club and I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

I joined the club I wanted to get closer with people who were just like me, it’s not often you find someone that’s from Haiti, Jamacia, Ghana or Trinidad. It’s a blessing to be surrounded by so many Caribbeans just like me, I found out about the club last year through morning announcements.”

Sophomore Flonayta said “it’s nice to be around people that’s just like me since we don’t have a lot of Caribbean people in our school, I joined the club to meet new people because I want to be around people with similar cultural background to me.”