You could not possibly help a poor child in Africa receive an education, right? Wrong. As simple and insignificant as a pencil may seem to the average Orange County teenager, the donation of a single pencil has the power to build schools and provide education to children in developing countries.

Pencils of Promise is a non-profit organization that strives to build schools and increase educational opportunities for children and adults in underdeveloped and developing nations, mostly in Central America and Africa. After a $25 deposit from the founder of the organization, Adam Braun, Pencils of Promise has established over 200 schools since 2008. It is based off donations of money, school supplies, building material and — of course — pencils.

At SMCHS, however, the club has only been around since 2013. Carlee DiNicola, President of Pencils of Promise at school, was inspired to start the club after attending a pop concert.

“I first heard about Pencils of Promise when I went to a Justin Bieber concert,” DiNicola said. “I saw that $1 from every ticket sold was donated to Pencils of Promise. I was interested in what this organization was, so I looked it up and instantly fell in love with its mission and purpose.”

DiNicola is a full IB student who dedicates her time volunteering in many different organizations including the Shea Center, Friendship shelter and the Del Obispo Senior Center. Even throughout her six years of NCL, DiNicola has never come across an organization like Pencils of Promise.

“There are lots of clubs at SMCHS and several of them have the same purpose or mission, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen one with the same focus as Pencils of Promise; I think that makes us unique,” DiNicola said. “This is truly a great organization because everyone deserves to have an education and often that is hard to find in parts of the world. This program really helps raise awareness about this issue and gets people to donate money that is going to a great cause.”

DiNicola is dedicated to her position as club president and hopes to create lots of fun events within the SMCHS community in order to raise money and awareness about the people in need.

“We have some great upcoming fundraising opportunities that we’ve been planning for and hope to have a successful year and make some generous contributions to such a great organization,” DiNicola said.

Following this year’s Club Rush, the Pencils of Promise club has 30 active members who, along with DiNicola, are very passionate about the mission of the Pencils of Promise organization.

“I love being a part of this organization,” said senior Emilie Marcincowski. “All the money we raise goes to an awesome cause and there is never a meeting without donuts, cookies or something good to eat!”

Meetings are held monthly in history teacher Lindsey Allen’s room and will be announced in the daily announcements for any students who are interested in getting involved.