As the E.L. Haynes community reconvenes for the 2025-26 school year, staff and families at the elementary and high schools have been greeted by familiar faces in their vibrant blue shirts: our AP Spanish Translators. These students, acting as our in-house translators for family events, don’t just bridge a language barrier; they build a stronger, more inclusive community. In the process, they gain valuable, real-world experience and earn community service hours.
High school Spanish teacher Hiddai Rudasill founded the AP Spanish Translators Club in 2018. The club began as a space to help foster language proficiency, communication skills, and leadership among students in advanced Spanish classes. What began as a club with ten students has since grown into an institution at the high school with 32 student translators this school year.
“I work tirelessly to train members in all aspects necessary to excel as translators and leaders,” Ms. Rudasill said. “The students’ hard work has solidified the club’s role as a vital bridge between the school and the community.”
Students serve as this bridge by “assisting parents and community members who face challenges in navigating the language barrier.” This year, the AP Translators have already assisted at two separate Back-to-School Nights and during Family-Teacher Conferences. Their upcoming work includes Homecoming Dance, Hispanic Heritage Month Celebrations, and Parent Nights at the elementary school.
The impact of this program extends beyond its growth to the individual transformations it inspires. The first translators demonstrated remarkable skill and dedication.
“I am incredibly proud to witness how this club continues to grow and thrive, showcasing the importance of bilingualism, service, and leadership,” said Ms. Rudasill. “I started with ten students, all in my AP Spanish class in 2018, and we started practicing a little bit with parents during the Parent-Teacher Conferences. The kids were nervous, but the next year we had more students interested.”
“The students’ hard work has solidified the club’s role as a vital bridge between the school and the community.”
Ms. Rudasill
This year, the AP Spanish Translators have three co-captains: seniors Mayra D., Lesly D., and Julye M.
“I wanted to be a co-captain because I really just wanted to be a part of what happens at our school, and gain new experiences,” said Lesly.
Mayra D., one of the three senior co-captains, shared her experience: “The first time I translated for a parent, I was very nervous. It helped me realize how, when I was young, teachers always expected me to translate for my family, and we never had someone older or professional to translate.”
Fellow co-captain Julye M. joined the club to challenge herself. “I’ve always translated for my family, and because of that, I was too much in my comfort zone,” Julye said. “I wanted to come out of that and do something for other people.”
Lesly D., the third co-captain, joined simply “because I really just wanted to be a part of what happens at our school, and gain new experiences.”
Julye M. joined the AP Translators in her junior year. “I’ve always translated for my family, and because of that, I was too much in my comfort zone,” said Julye. “I wanted to come out of that and do something for other people.”
Ms. Rudasill and the co-leaders describe the AP Spanish Translators more like an athletic team than an extracurricular club. To become a member, students must meet specific requirements: be bilingual, maintain a GPA of 3.00 or higher, and be enrolled in, or have previously completed, Spanish 4 or AP Spanish. They also wear their iconic matching blue shirts when working events. However, this team also offers something no other student group does: real-world training that rigorously pushes students to grow the skills they can use in future jobs.
The sense of belonging is a powerful theme for these students. Senior Karla F. joined the Translators to challenge her stuttering and improve her Spanish. “I joined because I wanted to force myself to talk to people in Spanish because I’ve always shied away from it because of my stuttering,” Karla said. “So, I saw AP Translators as an opportunity to improve not only my stuttering but also my Spanish.”
Karla explained that her mother originally enrolled her family at Haynes because there were many Spanish-speaking employees with whom she could communicate. “I think that the AP Translators club is also a part of that identity,” she said. “It bridges between parents and teachers to create that sense of home and belonging.”
This investment in our students has a lasting impact. Haynes alumnus and former AP Translator Kateryn R. is a freshman at American University with aspirations of becoming a physician. She explained how she hopes to use her translating skills in the future. “The reason I want to get into healthcare is my parents,” Kateryn said. “When we go to the doctor, it’s hard for me to translate for my parents to explain their health concerns. It will be important to communicate with my Spanish speaking patients so we can build trust.”
The AP Spanish Translators Club is one of the most impactful organizations at E.L. Haynes High School. Year after year, the club has grown, attracting more members and expanding its list of services for our community. More than anything, Ms. Rudasill and this organization provide rigorous training to help our students excel while creating an inclusive and accessible environment for our Spanish-speaking community.
Written by Griffin Pepper | Griffin Pepper is the 12th-grade Sociology and DC History teacher at E.L. Haynes High School. This is his ninth year in the Haynes community, and his 14th year in the classroom. When not teaching, Griffin enjoys spending as much time as possible with his wife, daughter, and dog.