Salem-Keizer Public Schools
Angel Perez-Arellano, West Salem High School – Nurturing Connections
![Angel standing in front of the Edgewater Community Garden]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1731973198/salkeizk12orus/ewzyold6lbjq78rd9kwc/Angel-perez-arellano_1200x675.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1731973198/salkeizk12orus/ewzyold6lbjq78rd9kwc/Angel-perez-arellano_1200x675.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1731973198/salkeizk12orus/ewzyold6lbjq78rd9kwc/Angel-perez-arellano_1200x675.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1731973198/salkeizk12orus/ewzyold6lbjq78rd9kwc/Angel-perez-arellano_1200x675.jpg","width":1200}])
Meet Angel Perez-Arellano
For the past five years, Angel Perez-Arellano, a current student at West Salem High School, has been a key part of the Edgewater Community Garden, helping to grow not just plants, but friendships and connections within our community. This year, Angel stepped up in a big way, committed to bridging the gap between our Spanish and English-speaking gardeners so that everyone felt included in the garden community.
The community garden is important because it brings people together.
Angel Perez-Arellano
Student, West Salem High School
Thanks to Angel's dedication, our community is stronger, connecting community members so that they can work together.
Translating and Interpreting
Angel rolled up his sleeves and got to work on important tasks, proofreading documents, providing interpretation for meetings, and lending a hand whenever someone needed help understanding. Angel didn’t stop there—he made sure to connect with gardeners who didn’t use text messaging so that no one missed out on important information. Thanks to his efforts, everyone felt they belonged and were part of this shared space.
One Community
The gardeners gathered for a potluck, and the warmth of Angel’s work was on full display. As the gardeners celebrated the harvest together, everyone told stories and shared laughter over a delicious meal.