This past November, the Antonelli family traveled to the outskirts of Buenos Aires, Argentina, where they visited a pre-school in a less fortunate community that provides free schooling and meals to the students and their families.

In the months leading up to the trip, they gathered, sharpened, and organized school supplies donated from local schools to help support this pre-school and three other schools in Argentina, which often can't meet their students' needs. The goal was not only to deliver the crayons, colored pencils, and scissors, but also to visit and make the kids feel special and seen- something conveyed by the organizer of the visit as the most important part.

During their visit, the Antonelli family spent time playing with the students, taught a simple English lesson on numbers and words, and the children were especially excited to show off their favorite drawings or games. 

"The experience was very eye-opening," Daniela Antonelli '29 reflected. "I often forget that what feels like a normal life to me is actually a privileged way of living compared to those who struggle to eat more than one meal a day.” 

“Visiting the school showed me how different life can be for students who aren’t as fortunate. Although the classrooms were simple and basic, the staff and students were very welcoming and excited to show us their space," explained Francesca Antonelli '27. "The experience showed me how important donating not only supplies, but also our time, and helping those who need it most.”