Student Activist Brings Her Cause to Cultural Arts Commission

Bianca Valle of Coronado High School’s enlisted the Cultural Arts Commission in her group's efforts to collect art supplies for Promises 2 Kids.

“We need basic supplies, sketch books, pencils, brushes,” she told the commissioners for the drive that began March 27 and continues through Tuesday. The donations will benefit the San Diego group, which aids children who have suffered from abuse or neglect.

She told them that the group also raised $1,400 to support Coronado schools.* The money came from two acrylic panels members of her group produced.

One sold for $500, and the other for $900, she said. 

The move, Valle suggested, could be the first of many collaborative efforts. “I hope we can work together on other projects in the future,” she said. 

“There will be ways we can collaborate and interact with what you are doing,” Chairwoman Heidi Wilson assured her.

Valle also added a personal request: “I want to formally petition to be part of the film sub-committee,” said the high school junior, who plans to major in film production design after she graduates.

Doug St. Denis, who heads that committee, indicated that Valle's talents and energy would be more than welcome. 

And unlike many people who come before the city's various boards and commissions, Valle didn’t leave after she made her pitch. She sat with her parents through the two-hour meeting giving her full attention to the proceedings. 

* This story has been amended to reflect that money raised by the club benefitted local schools, not a San Diego charity.