Spring Branch ISD Featured News

A love of health that began during her years at Frostwood Elementary inspired sophomore Camila Trujillo to share her passion with fellow students at Westchester Academy of International Studies (WAIS). 

“At Frostwood, I loved being involved with field days and healthy activities to keep the body and mind in shape,” said Trujillo. “I wanted to bring this [focus on health] to Westchester.” 

She was instrumental in the formation of a Student Health Advisory Club (SHAC) at Westchester. The group is dedicated to planning activities that promote healthy food choices and practices. 

One of the first projects that Trujillo coordinated, in collaboration with the Spring Branch Community Health Center, was to obtain a hydration station (for hands-free water bottle filling) now mounted near the WAIS cafeteria.

“It was perfect timing to get this installed because of COVID,” said Trujillo. “We have saved over 400 water bottles so far. And it is great to see more water usage [by students and staff].”

The WAIS SHAC also provided hand sanitizer and masks for students during finals week in December. The club plans to connect with mental health specialists to learn about ways to cope with COVID-19 restrictions. In the future, Trujillo and the members of the SHAC hope to have a field trip to the Health Museum and organize volunteer opportunities for students.

WAIS Director, Valerie Muniz, expressed admiration for Trujillo’s initiative. “Camila has truly taken our IB graduate aims to heart and shown that being a critical and creative problem solver starts at home,” said Muniz. 

“She saw a need to share healthy lifestyle activities with the WAIS student body and chartered our first SHAC. Her influence has really taken off and now the group is thriving and their advocacy has benefitted our campus at a time when we have needed it most.”

Trujillo is also involved with a soccer team, volunteering at SpringSpirit, the National Hispanic Institute and is a Fuel Up to Play 60 student ambassador. She plans a career in healthcare as a cardiologist. 

Submitted by Becky Wuerth, SBISD Communications

becky.wuerth@springbranchisd.com