The Lovett School Named 2026 Volunteer of the Year by the Latin American Association

In a celebration of partnership and purpose, The Lovett School has been honored as the 2026 Volunteer of the Year by the Latin American Association (LAA). Recognizing Lovett’s deep-rooted commitment to serving the Atlanta community, the award was presented at the 37th Annual Compañeros Awards Luncheon on April 16.

The partnership between Lovett and the LAA has become a cornerstone of the school's civic engagement program. From packing food items for the LAA's food pantry during the annual Family Community Engagement Day to long-term volunteer commitments, Lovett families and students have consistently shown up for their neighbors.

The educators driving this partnership see the award as a reflection of the compassion grown through service—a sentiment that was on full display in September 2025, when students from the Advanced Topics in Spanish: Global Citizenship class embarked on a meaningful cultural exchange.

Spanish teacher Eliana Pineda brought her students to the LAA’s weekly Senior Club, where a morning of games and storytelling blossomed into deep conversations between the students and fluent, Spanish-speaking community elders. This innovative experience was designed by Language Department Chair Olivia Rocamora to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world connections.

"I wanted to give these students a joyful experience that leads to empathy," said Rocamora. "So much of our mission is around empathy and global citizenship. We just can’t teach those things inside the four walls of a classroom."

Students noted that practicing in such a supportive, pressure-free setting significantly boosted their confidence. Sarah Barwis ’26 experienced this firsthand, reflecting on the value of the nonjudgmental environment: "I had never really been able to speak [Spanish] in the real world," she said. "Everyone was so patient and kind, and it was a very comfortable environment to learn more about other people's cultures."

To capture the spirit of this partnership, the following video was shared with attendees at the Compañeros Awards Luncheon to highlight the impact of these shared moments.