Students for Justice Club organizes concert

Seniors Karim Poonja (left) and Natalie Hon introduce an act during the Students for Justice concert

The school’s Students for Justice Club held a benefit concert on Saturday, January 30 in Palo Alto from 7 to 11 p.m. The event raised $1,017 for the Haitian Emergency Relief Fund (HERF), which provides funds to support grassroots organizations in Haiti such as schools and hospitals.

The concert was held at Jungle Digital, a printing shop located in downtown Palo Alto that frequently serves as a venue for music on the weekends. Several local bands and artists, including current students and school alumni, performed at the event.

“I’m extremely excited that people came out,” Students for Justice Co-President Karim Poonja said. “We’re happy that people supported the cause and that we raised the money that’s going to Haiti.”

Admission was $5, but concert-goers also had the option to make extra donations. Club adviser Seth Donnelly said that it was encouraging to see the initiative and support for the cause coming from high school students. “Youth here in this community are in a position to redirect vital resources,” Donnelly said. “[In Haiti], $5 can mean the difference between life and death.”

The concert initially planned to raise money for the Students for Justice Club itself, but at a meeting, members voted to raise money to contribute to the Haitian earthquake relief effort instead.

“[The performers] were more than happy to do this benefit show and support our group,” senior Diego Sanchez said.

The club is currently planning future events such as open mic nights or possibly another concert to raise money and awareness for other issues. The club hopes to have more outreach and advertising for the next event.

“Our aim is to continue this movement,” Karim said.