When Miguel Camacho started thinking about what he would like to tackle for his senior project at Carson High School this year, organizing the teen fast at St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church seemed a logical choice.
Camacho, who had participated in the annual event for three years, said he wanted to take on something meaningful.
"I wanted to get something more out of it than just the grade," Camacho said, "and I wanted to do something more than just for the community. This gives me a chance to do something on a global level."
About 50 teens will fast for 24 hours, not only from food, but from their iPods, cell phones and TV, said Midge Breeden, Camacho's senior project mentor and the church's adult adviser for the fast.
"This is a big commitment on their part. It has been an ongoing event for eight years now," Breeden said. "Last year they raised $1,800 for Catholic Relief Services, and this year, they've specified that the money will go to Haiti."
The fast will run from 5 p.m. Friday to 5 p.m. Saturday, and the teens will participate in a scavenger hunt/food drive for Friends In Service Helping from noon to
1 p.m. Saturday.
At 4 p.m., they will attend Mass, Breeden said, and they will break their fast with a simple soup supper.
"Teens are encouraged to get people to sponsor them, and they're still working on that, but I already know of about $700," she said.
Camacho said he has enjoyed coordinating the project. The front of his senior project portfolio says, "Poverty is a weapon of mass destruction."
Breeden said Camacho was up for Mr. Carson High, and is an all-around good kid.
"I met Miguel at the start of his freshman year and immediately loved his warmth and wit. He has made fine choices in high school to develop his strengths and share his gifts," she said. "This senior project is a direct result of his commitment to make the world a better place."