This past spring and summer, Desert Mountain High School senior Daniel Shamah led a baseball equipment drive for youth in the Dominican Republic.

As part of Shamah’s International Baccheleaurate program at Desert Mountain High School, he organized and led the baseball equipment drive with the cooperation of his high school, McDowell Mountain Little League and Mountain View Little League.

Shamah ran this community-based drive in preparation for a Spanish immersion trip through the VISIONS Service and Adventure Foundation to Cotui, Dominican Republic, where the youth are not fortunate enough to have adequate baseball equipment, according to a press release.

“On my trip to the Dominican Republic, I helped build classrooms that will hold up to 90 new students and teach children English and environmental awareness,” Shamah stated in the release. “In addition to the 300 pounds of baseball gear that I collected, I also collected and sent school supplies and bilingual workbooks for primary-aged kids through the VISIONS program.”

Shamah says this project would not have been possible without the emphasis placed upon global thinking and concern for the welfare of others instilled by the IB Program at Desert Mountain High School, the Scottsdale baseball community, and the hard work provided by his classmates, Ray Liang and Alejandro Bedoya.

Since there continues to be a need for baseball equipment in the Dominican Republic, Shamah will be expanding the drive to other school and little leagues throughout the Valley.