This past December, 20 bags of toys were donated to a hospital for children who suffer from cancer. The U care club on campus started by two students, juniors Anjali Collins and Briahna Martin, noticed children were spending Christmas in the hospital. Collins and Martin realized the need for a club on campus that would give them the opportunity to give back.
“It was really upsetting to see that not enough is done[ for the kids in the hospitals],” Martin said. “Getting to impact kids who were our age and that were less fortunate than us is just a good feeling because I know I’m doing something that is not just not for myself.”
Whether it is through acts of kindness or common interests, clubs have an influential effect on campus. There are more than ten clubs on campus that started because of an idea that a student had. Student-run clubs are an opportunity to connect different students to an idea.
“We get together to do a lot of different activities to help people,” Collins said. “A lot of people in the club are very dedicated and post about it, and it’s really cool to see that support on social media.”
While it is a benefit, starting a club is not something that a student can use to build a resume or college application. Clubs bring unity to students, who might have otherwise never met. The talent club, started by Isaac Jimenez, is an example of a club that promotes teamwork and friendship, while in the talent club students can show off their talents while also learning from others.
“It was great seeing all the different [performing arts] at a pep rally,” Jimenez said. “Everyone was just there together doing what we love. We’re all talented and we’re all passionate about what we do, so it’s inspiring to be [together] because we all motivate each other.”
While Jimenez noticed the clubs success in uniting the different performing arts so far, he is still working to improve as the club progresses. As an officer, he is always looking to make improvements and overcome challenges. The talent club started in October and they are still looking for members to actively participate in the club.
“There has kind of been a rough start,” Jimenez said. “After the new year, people have just not been showing up, and it’s a hard process, but there’s a lot of things that we can do differently, and make it so that everyone feels involved.”
While there are new clubs on campus started by students, junior Madison Lacroix started the art club in her sophomore year of high school. It as a way for her to meet and connect with other artists to share her love of art.
“There is not a very good representation, in my opinion of art in this school,” Lacroix said. “It’s a very dull campus, and there isn’t really anything that’s sparking it up. I think this year art club is changing that.”
Through projects that increase school spirit, Lacroix has been able to experience more than just art skills while being in her club. She has been able to share her ideas with others, form new relationships, and develop leadership skills. She often finds herself stressed out because of the different ideas that she thinks of for the club.
“Student-driven passion is such a good thing to have inside of a club,” Lacroix said. “There’s so much more creativity that comes out of it, so many raw ideas. Art club is like my baby, I nurture it. I care about the kids that are in my club, I actually care about their artwork, I want to know what they’re doing. I want to see what they’re coming up with.”