AspirantéS
WHAT IS AN ASPIRA CLUB?
The Youth Leadership Development Program aka ASPIRA club, is the core program of ASPIRA. The program provides leadership training, cultural enrichment activities, and community action projects that teach students how to develop their abilities to become effective leaders of their communities. Through ASPIRA Clubs, youth are challenged by giving them opportunities for self-direction and self-determination so that they can stretch to their full potential. As a result, Aspirantés learn to sustain their own motivation and direction helping them to create order, meaning, and direction in of their lives and to contribute their leadership skills to their communities.
ASPIRA’s believes that youth are key to the socio-economic development of their communities. Our aim is to prepare youth to become future leaders by focusing on positive youth development. We work to instill in youth the desire to achieve their goals, further their education, and use their skills and knowledge to make positive and lasting contributions to their communities. Youth that participate in ASPIRA’s programs are called Aspirantés. ASPIRA wants all our youth to return to their communities as leaders and fulfill our motto: Once an Aspiranté, always an Aspiranté.
HOW DO I BECOME A ASPIRANTÉ?
If your school has an ASPIRA Club, anyone in grades 9th – 12th may join. If you are interested in becoming an Aspirante, you must do the following:
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Complete the application (Click here for PDF version)
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Connect with your school’s ASPIRA Academic Advisor
Currently, ASPIRA Inc., of New Jersey has three clubs located at the following high schools:
NEWARK
Barringer High School of Arts & Humanities
90 Parker St
Newark, NJ 07104
(973) 484-7554, ext. 200
lheight.aspiranj@gmail.com
Academic Advisor: Lashae Height
Technology High School (Coming Soon)
187-223 Broadway
Newark, NJ 07104
(973) 484-7554 ext. 232
Academic Advisor: Christian Martinez
PATERSON
Eastside High School
150 Park Ave
Paterson, NJ 07501
(973) 484-7554 ext. 219
lminaya.aspiranj@gmail.com
Academic Advisor: Leticia Minaya
HOW DO I GET AN ASPIRA CLUB AT MY SCHOOL?
If you are interested in having a ASPIRA club at your school, please contact us at aspiranj.advisors@gmail.com for additional information.
WHAT IS AN "ASPIRANTÉ?"
Dr. Antonia Pantoja, ASPIRA's founder, indicated that all those individuals "touched" by ASPIRA are considered ASPIRANTÉs. For us, ASPIRA is something more than just an after school club. ASPIRA is a family. All ASPIRANTÉs are members of the ASPIRA family.
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An ASPIRANTÉ is someone who appreciates their culture, proud of their rich history and knows that where they came from is just as important as where they are going.
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An ASPIRANTÉ is a model community member devoted to its development and improvement.
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An ASPIRANTÉ is someone who chooses to help their community, not for the community service hours required for graduation, but instead for the satisfaction of helping others.
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An ASPIRANTÉ is someone who makes mistakes, learns from them, and betters themselves.
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An ASPIRANTÉ is someone who chooses not to do anything to harm themselves or others, and motivates others to do the same.
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An ASPIRANTÉ is someone who comes to ASPIRA not only to make friends, but also to be part of a family.
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An ASPIRANTÉ is someone who is limitless, regardless of the education he or she receives, but seeks ways to gain more to help their community.
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An ASPIRANTÉ is someone who honors the past and looks to the future for experiences and opportunities.
In short, being an ASPIRANTÉ is a life-long commitment, filled with rewards, rich experiences and people that will support you throughout your lifetime.
PLEASE CLICK THE LINK BELOW
FOR AN APPLICATION
(Click here for PDF version)