Raising leaders.

Building community.

Making an impact.

The Pacific American Volunteer Association [PAVA] World club does just that.

“The main goal I had for PAVA World club when joining was to make future leaders and take steps in impacting our environment in a positive way,” said vice president sophomore Mikel Cho, who has been in the organization for four years before becoming a member.

PAVA World, a Los Angeles non-profit group that formed in 2001, encourages positive relationships between its members by working together in activities to preserve the natural environment.

President junior Evelyn Ju said she found out about PAVA World through her parents eight months ago and has been involved in it since. Being inspired by all the volunteer work within the group, Ju said she decided to create a chapter at Sunny Hills and submitted a club application to the Associated Student Body last semester, and it got approved on Monday, Nov. 6.

During meetings, the club focuses on informing and reminding members of PAVA World’s upcoming volunteering opportunities, including planting trees and plucking weeds at local parks.

Members also discuss larger occasions hosted by the PAVA World organization outside of school, such as annual gala parties and parades for welcoming new members and presenting volunteer awards.

Cho aims to have members increase leadership skills by appointing them as leaders during volunteering.

“We recommend students to become captains of the events to [not only] improve their leadership skills but to also bond with others,” he said. “This is how we turn members to leaders and is a step to changing the world as leaders will set examples for others to follow.”

As of Thursday, Jan. 25, the club has held five meetings and has 19 members and hopes to promote its events using Instagram.

“We can first start off by inviting friends and then spread the word through those friends,” said sophomore Yena Oh, who was already involved in the larger organization before joining the club.

The club allows members to bond with their peers and encourages them to communicate with students in PAVA World from other schools within the Fullerton Joint Union High School District.

“I was happy to see that more members were joining PAVA, and it enlightens me as I get to see more people wanting to make an impact on the world even if it is small changes,” Cho said.

PAVA World welcomes anyone interested in its purpose to grow future leaders and make an environmental impact in the world by participating in various activities. 

“In taking members in, we don’t look for any special features as we believe anyone is able to help out and make a difference in the world,” the club’s vice president said. “We believe with hard work, we can make anything happen.” 

PAVA World meets every Tuesday during lunch in Room 85. For more information, contact Ju at 600022983@fjuhsd.org.