Young Women’s Leadership Academy senior Harlee Villalobos saw an opportunity to provide her classmates and community with a way to donate clothing, food, and other items while giving back to others. As an officer of the National Honor Society (NHS), she spearheaded the creation of a new on-campus thrift store called, “My Sister’s Closet,” transforming a classroom into a functional space complete with file cabinets, drawers, and organized displays.
She led campus and community clothing drives over the summer and into the start of the school year, ensuring the store would be well stocked to meet students’ needs while building partnerships with the Ralph T. Cloud-Bel Air Neighborhood Association and the school’s PTSO.
Three days after the store opened in January, “My Sister’s Closet” had already made nearly $300! Harlee also oversees about a dozen NHS members in running the store, coordinating their shifts and restocking efforts. The initiative offers students a hands-on way to practice leadership, service, and compassion while supporting one another.
Thank you, Harlee, for exemplifying outstanding service excellence in your leadership, vision, and dedication to your school community. Keep up the great work!