To raise money for a trip this summer, students going to Spain and their parents volunteered for a fundraiser selling Guatemalan jewelry and Thai crafts, according to Spanish teacher Hanna Anderson.

Anderson said she came up with the idea for the fundraiser because it is the school interpreter Carmen Rudin’s  husband’s business, so they were able to receive and sell the merchandise and can return whatever is not sold.

“It’s hard to do that with other businesses, and although it’s not Spanish culture, it’s a Spanish-speaking country, so we also try and bring a little bit of culture, and to show the students what the arts and crafts of different countries are,” Anderson said.

Anderson said the official days of the fundraiser were Oct. 22 and 27 for conferences, but also sold Oct. 26, and Oct. 27 during fifth hour lunch. Anderson said students are still able to purchase the jewelry and crafts until Nov. 6 in room B228.

Junior Megan Wojtasiak said the money from the fundraiser will not be used towards someone’s trip payment.

“We’re using the money that we get from fundraising for group dinners and tipping waiters and stuff that you wouldn’t think of to pay for,” Wojtasiak said.

Anderson said the Spain trip will take place June 15 to July 1, and will include a host family stay for the second week of the trip. She said 27 students signed up for the trip.

“About five years ago, a group of parents came to us saying that they wanted to do something like this. They wanted the students who come both from the immersion setting and the traditional setting to have the experience to travel abroad,” Anderson said. “The culture piece is so important and sometimes it’s hard to really provide that here.”

Wojtasiak said she decided to go on the Spain trip to experience the country and improve her Spanish.

“I’m just ready for new experiences and getting to know new people and a new culture. Just finding out more,” Wojtasiak said. “It would help with my Spanish skills, because I’ve lost a lot over the years.”

Anderson said besides fundraising, they also have monthly meetings.

“We talk about fundraising, but we also do get to know each other activities,” Anderson said. “Students will do presentations about different places of Spain.”

Anderson said they accomplished their goal to sell $400-500 worth of merchandise, half of which is profit.

“The idea is that again it’s not only to make money, but also to get parents and students together to get to know each other, and also to kind of advertise to promote the trip,” Anderson said. “We’re working together towards a common goal.”

According to Anderson, they plan to do different fundraisers, and hope to fundraise about $2,000. She said they will have another one on Valentine’s Day.