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Hamilton Southeastern High School Volume 33 | Club Issue
IN THIS ISSUE: BEHIND BIG CLUBS..............................3 Learn the origin stories behind HSE’s most popular like DECA and Make-a-Wish.
NEW CLUBS....................................4 Student opinions on the clubs they would like to see, and the importance of getting involved.
GRADUATED ROYALS..............5
Royal alumni explain how clubs changed their high school experience.
MENTAL BENEFITS........................6 Learn the research and statistics behind how joining clubs can improve students’ mental health.
SPORTS INVOLVEMENT................................7 See what its like to join Blue Crew and why attending sporting events are essential to being a Royal.
MEET OUR STAFF STAFF LEADS Emily Crousore Lainee Kirk Lauren Riina
ADVISERS
Jordan Klobusnik David Young
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STAY CONNECTED
STAFF
Jordan Daughterty Hannah Elkins Cassidy Hayes Gabriella Haynes Lauren Kopka Bailey Lincoln Ryan Luhmann Trinity Mackenzie Nicole Morris Madeline Nelsen Paityn O’Neill
@HSENEWS @HSETV @SOUTHEASTERNSN_ WWW.HSENEWS.COM
BEHIND HSE’S BIGGEST CLUBS CLUB LEADERS DISCUSS HOW TO GET INVOLVED In a high school with more than 3,000 students, the challenge of getting involved can come across as very intimidating. Even for upperclassmen already involved in clubs or sports, they may still be challenged by the desire to leave an impact. When looking at some of the biggest clubs at HSE, it is hard to imagine leading and contributing to that club’s success. Behind every club, whether it has 20 members or 200, there are student leaders who have transitioned from newly joined freshmen to a position of responsibility and impact. National Honor Society is a club offered by most high schools across America, and requires a set amount of community service and tutoring hours to improve communities. With hundreds of members at HSE, standing out in that group may seem like a difficult task. Luckily, student leaders spend time personalizing activities to get new members involved and make a huge club seem a little smaller. “I am so excited for the opportunity to be on the Executive Board for NHS this year and hope to help provide as many opportunities as possible for our members to get involved in community service,” senior Shelby Sloane said. “My advice for new members is to not push off your service hours and tutoring hours.” The impact made by NHS members is seen in various ways throughout the school and community. Whether that be cleaner parks or raised grades because of service and tutoring oppurtunities. “National Honor Society is a great way to get plugged into your community,” Sloane said. “You are able to do services that really make a difference.” For Make-A-Wish Club, which is run through a larger organization outside of school, students raise money for the Make-A-Wish organization through various fundraisers and events throughout the school year. “Our goal for the club the past couple of years has been to raise $8,000 to $10,000,” senior and co-president of Make-A-Wish Luke Andritsch said. “This is because we want to grant a wish, and that is the average cost of a wish.” Being able to see the money raised contributed to the fulfillment of a impact. Especially in Make-Achild’s wish is what really defines your im Wish, the effort you put into the club goes beyond yourself and helps a community of kids. “A lot of times with clubs working for large organizations you cannot see the impact of it, though with Make-A-Wish we have been able to see wishes in our community granted,” Andritsch said. “We had someone have their wish granted for opening therapeutic goat petting zoo or a little girl who had her wish granted for a swing that her parents can push her in.” Although it may seem intimidating at first, connecting to clubs presents the opportunity to make impacts that go beyond your high school years. Story by Lainee Kirk and Paityn O’Neill.
“A LOT OF TIMES WITH CLUBS WORKING FOR LARGE ORGANIZATIONS YOU CANNOT SEE THE IMPACT OF IT, THOUGH WITH MAKE-A-WISH WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SEE WISHES IN OUR COMMUNITY GRANTED.”
The schools newest website, hseclubs.com, gives students easy access to the abundance of clubs HSE offers. The website allows students to filter their search through certain groups, as well as by club size. With each club, there is a brief description so students can gain insight into the club and what they can expect as a member. This new resource will allow even more students to get involved!
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WHAT CLUBS DO YOU WANT TO SEE? “A lot of people at Fall Creek Junior High did [Friendship Bracelet Club] and I think it would be a great way for people to connect” Ciara Kepner, 9
“I would like to see a pickle ball club because I like to play pickle ball.” Zach Peters, 10
“I would like to see Weight-lifting Club because a rising number of kids have started doing [weight lifting].” Val Wheeler, 11
“I think that Puzzle Club is a good idea because puzzles are both mentally challenging and enjoyable.” Brooke Daugherty, 10
HOW TO CREATE YOUR OWN CLUB 1. Find a sponsor to support and advertise the new club.
3. Get club approval from Mr. Rent.
2. Go to the front office and fill out the club application.
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4. Start getting members!
EXTRACURRICULAR INVOLVEMENT COLLEGES, UNIVERSITIES EMPHASIZE BENEFITS OF GETTING CONNECTED Unlike with years past, a student’s SAT and ACT scores aren’t the only things college admissions offices consider when determining acceptance into the academic program. More recently, many colleges and universities are beginning to look for applicants who have unique extracurricular involvement within their high schools. Prominent schools such as the University of Michigan and University of California, Berkeley have stated that they tend to lean more toward considering applicants who have extracurriculars and club involvement, as well as their test scores, overall GPA and application essay. With tens of thousands of students applying to the same university, the admissions offices are forced to narrow their search of applicants based on extracurricular involvement. According to CollegeVine contributor Anamaria Lopez, “last year, nearly 42,300 students applied to Stanford. Among these, a majority had grades and test scores in the range for the typical Stanford
admit....if they only looked at grades and test scores, they’d have an incoming freshman class of 30,000, instead of around 2000.” One of the reasons clubs can be a major factor on college applications is because it shows the admissions board that a student has developed experience in time management skills, as well as building relationships with peers. Additionally, by showing that you can be active in extracurriculars, while also maintaining a high GPA, many universities are better able to observe that you can juggle academics and become involved with the student body on campus. Today, the common belief is that joining any kind of student organization will lead to a decline in grades and struggles with balancing commitments. However, many have claimed that joining a club teaches students how to balance everyday work, which will become especially handy after graduation. According to Youth.gov, “a national evaluation found that [more than] 40 percent of students attending 21st Century Community Learning
I was a part of the Drama Club at my school, and worked my way up to become a thespian. Being a preformer in so any HSE productions was my favorite part of high school. We are given a school with so many options and opportunties to make great drama preformacnces, it all really felt special. Anna Cushman, 2021 graduate
I did Key Club and was on the cross country team at HSE. Clubs and sports can really help define someone’s experience in high school. It makes HSE not just about the classes you take, but it makes it more of a home than a school. Nathaniel Cho, 2018 graduate
Center programs improved their reading and math grades, and that those who attended more regularly were more likely to make gains (Naftzger et. al., 2007).” No matter the extracurricular decisions you make during high school, getting involved seems to be incredibly beneficial for all students. So, why not give club involvement a try? Story by Bailey Lincoln.
I was on the lacrosse team all four years of high school, and the bonds I made stuck with me all through college. I got to connect with so many guys, teachers, and learned a lot of self discipline. Even if you’re new to the sport I reccomend trying out because participating in a sport is life changing. Nicholas Riina, 2018 graduate
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MENTAL HEALTH BENEFITS OF CLUBS FINDING BELONGING, PROTECTING MENTAL HEALTH WITHIN HSE’S CLUBS Clubs are an excellent way to devote energy into something high schoolers are interested in. Meeting new people and putting yourself out there is a great way to get involved in a new community. There are a variety of clubs for all interests at HSE. Focusing on something that benefits students’ attitude and mental health should not be overlooked. Finding a club students relate to can boost confidence and improve mental health. There is no excuse for not gaining new experiences because getting connected is what high school is all about. “Joining a club definitely caused me to come out of my shell, especially being in a leadership position, sophomore Sarah Penny said. “Being around a group of people every week and growing together helped my social anxiety a lot.”
9%
of students participate in both clubs and sports.
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Mental health is at the forefront of high school culture, and there is even a club at HSE called Bring Change to Mind, whose mission statement is to “create awareness, educate and have a voice regarding mental health and suicide prevention.” Joining a school club holds many potential benefits for high school students. When students join a club, they are introduced to other students who share their same interests and values. Students are introduced to a community of people, who can offer support and create a sense of belonging. Within this community, students also can practice socialization among their peers, which, according to Vivian Williams, “not only staves of feelings of isolation or loneliness, but also increases your sense of happiness and well-being.”
70+ clubs are offered at HSE
“Any kind of engagement in school, outside of the classroom, is a positive in the students’ lives, Director of Guidance Nancy Herndon said. “Kids seem way more invested in school in a positive way when they can channel those interest outside of the classroom.” Along with community and improved socialization, joining a club also boosts confidence. Clubs offer a safe space where students can grow, students can practice their skills and grow their confidence as they engage with other like-minded individuals. In the end, clubs are a great place to establish connections, improve self-esteem and make long-lasting memories that can be remembered forever. Story by Madeline Nelsen and Lauren Kopka
40% of students are involved in clubs
STARTING SPORTS STUDENTS GET INVOLVED WITH ATHLETICS As those who have graduated in the past look back at their four years of high school, sports were often a common theme in popular memories. Whether they attended games or were the ones playing in them, many students created some of the best memories of their high school experience. Some look back wishing they had been on the field rather than in the stands, while others wish they had been spectating at all. “My favorite part is definitely seeing everyone get together to support our school and seeing all the spirit,” senior Delaney McManama said. “That passion and spirit is what keeps bringing me back.” HSE offers more than 30 varsity and club sports that compete spread out over three seasons throughout the year. That’s three chances to get an opportunity to participate in the biggest and most competitive departments at the school. Participating in a sport improves an athlete’s teamwork, leadership, responsibility and time management skills, all of which also benefit students academically. Even if competing isn’t your thing, opportunities to contribute to the teams as a manager are still ways of getting involved. “The reason I joined football is that the sport is just so much fun, you make bonds that will never be broken, I guarantee it,” junior Trestyn Mayberry said. “It’s benefited me by making me a better person and bettering me for the future.” What makes a game more than what’s happening on the field are the spectators in the stands cheering them on. Cheerleaders use chants to get the crowd energized while the drumline performs cadences during the third quarter. The Royal Command and Guard also takes the field during halftime, creating an upbeat environment of music and marching.
“They’re fun events overall, and I get to hang out with my friends,” junior Trevor Banks said. “We get to sing the school song and do all the cheers, and we get to watch HSE destroy other teams.” Ultimately, football games and other sporting events create a unified Royals student body. Taking advantage of this year and coming out to see your peers is an excellent way to get involved in HSE’s extensive list of extra curriculars, where you’ll make unforgettable memories. Story by Hannah Elkins and Nicole Morris.
Blue Crew Q & A with Sidney Vohs 1. Why did you join Blue Crew?
“I joined Blue Crew because I love supporting the Royals and making the games more fun for students.”
2. How has Blue Crew affected you?
“Blue Crew has given me more of a purpose as a student at HSE. There are so many kids at HSE, it’s hard to see the difference you make. But with Blue Crew I can visualize what I am doing for the students at the school.”
3. Why should other students join?
“It is a great way to get involved with something at the school and it is very fun.”
4. What are good qualities in a Blue Crew member? “Be outgoing, have confidence and be able to talk to anyone.”
5. What is an important part of Blue Crew that is expected for everyone to adhere to? “Loving the Royals and being willing to put your all into each game and sport.”
6. What are fun activities you participate in?
“Setting the stands up for games and making the signs for people to be able to hold, and also being able to hangout with your friends in the club.”
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WHAT CLUB SHOULD YOU JOIN? On your ideal day, what would you rather do? Do something outside
Do something inside
Are you interested in politics/social change Yes
No
Is your work space clean or a messy? messy
clean
Do you enjoy fitness and sports? Yes, of course!
Not my favorite
What would you rather talk about? acivism or politics
sports
Books or Music? Music
Books
Which would you rather teach? Art
Creative Consider a creative club like: National Art Honors Society Creative Writing Club Caligraphy Club HSE Fashion Club Drama Club
Educational
Science
Which would you rather watch? game show
Recreational
Try a more educational club like: Look at a recreational club like: HSE Hacks HSE Apps Robotics Club Academics Teams National Honors Society Mock Trial
Disney Club Ski/Snowboarding Club Video Game Club Board Game Club D&D at HSE club sports
documentary
Unity Think about a unifying club like: Bring Change to Mind Black Student Union Asian Student Union Gay/Straight Alliance Muslim Student Association Best Buddies Latino Student Union
See the full list of clubs at: HSEClubs.com