Clubs Bringing Students Together

BY CAROLINE WILLIAMS

Communities bond together over common interests. At a school as big as it is, there are so many different types of people that all have different ways of life and passions. The clubs at this school are a reflection of that.

The activities within the clubs and organizations at the school are all opportunities for students to show their love for art, media and can even help them make huge changes within their community. Students can express themselves alongside people with similar interests and priorities as them.

The Multicultural Club, which is run by teachers Erin Emington White, Trevor Swearingen and Fay Anderson, meets every two weeks in the library. Completely student run, their mission statement is to “educate, inform and advocate” for multicultural issues in the school. Despite the progress of expanding this club being hindered by the COVID-19 pandemic, they still find many ways to promote ideas of acceptance throughout the school. Some of the posters and flyers spread throughout the halls - including the ones for Women’s History Month and Black History Month - are created by this club. There have occasionally been guest speakers that attend meetings to cover topics such as microaggressions and racial issues.

“I think [the club] has empowered students with the tools to tackle or approach any discrimination they see, and we try to give tips on how to handle the situation,” Anderson said. “We have had some teachers even attend our meetings as well so that they can even hear students’ concerns. One thing I like to stress is that this club is open to absolutely all students,” she said.

On the other hand, there are clubs that revolve more around forms of media and arts rather than activism or community issues. The Art Club, run by teacher Jason Kelty, is an opportunity for many students to express their artistic talents and abilities. They meet every other Tuesday in room 401, where they are able to use a lot of the artistic equipment in the room and create different types of drawings and paintings.

“I think my favorite part of the club is hanging out with all of my friends and all of the art equipment we can use,” freshman Addy Livers said, who has been a part of the Art Club since the beginning of this year. She loves drawing in her free time, and the club helps her achieve that.

The Sci-fi Club, run by teacher JT Lewis, was created for lovers of science fiction. They often participate in activities such as bringing in video games and doing group activities. “We usually do game days and try to learn about each other through them,” freshman Sean Seymour said. On Oct. 15, there was even a lockin for the Sci-fi Club, which helped the members bond. “I feel like it benefits the school because it helps bring people together over subjects that people like,” Seymour said.

Clubs like these are helping students feel comfortable with their growing interests. “I think the club offers a good and safe environment for people with common interests to interact,” club member Kyra Armstrong said.

When it comes to school, sometimes it can be hard to find people that have similar passions as you do. However, clubs can help you find both familiar people and new opportunities. On the school’s website you can find a lot of information about these clubs, and many other ones too.

Multicultural Club students gather in the library during one of their meetings. Students in this club have often met up for meetings multiple times a month. “The club allows for students to be able to give a voice to those that need it,” Fay Anderson said.