Three newly-established clubs are doing more than just filling up the “clubs and activities” page on the LHS website. They are giving students new, purposeful experiences: from preparing future educators to exposing students to real-world events and activism, each one has its own purpose.
Dare to Empower
Now an established club, Dare to Empower was previously just a lunch meeting for whomever was interested. However, some students decided that female empowerment deserved more value and purpose, so they created the Dare to Empower club.
“We knew Dare to Empower existed during lunch, but we wanted something more consistent,” junior Julia Lindell, co-president of the club, said.
During their meetings, they focus on female empowermentand also foster connections between its members.
“I love the sense of community,” junior Kira Dolph, co-founder and co-leader of the club, said. “I feel like I can say anything, andno one’s going to judge.”
While the club may be small in numbers, it doesn’t come up short in initiative.
“We are planning more hands-on activities,” Dolph said. “We’re organizing an event to cook for a local women and children’s shelter.”
The Dare to Empower club meets before and after school twice per month and is important now more than ever to elevate the confidence in young women.
“I hope the club continues to be a place where anyone interested in empowerment feels welcome,” Lindell said. “I want people to walk away feeling stronger than when they arrived.”
Amnesty International
Amnesty is a club that advocates for social change and encourages student activism. In the meetings, they partake in activities such as letter writing campaigns, volunteering and fundraising for those in need and to promote change within our society.
Over time, the group has aimed to expand their reach by making themselves known to the school. During their first year, they focused heavily on their reach as a new and upcoming club.
“We’re focused on growing and reaching more students,” senior Zara Karim, co-founder of Amnesty International, said. “A big part of our work is organizing events that bring awareness to the school community.”
These meaningful events aid students at LHS, and other schools, in having access to more attainable and reliable information about the current world.
“We focus a lot on educating students about specific human rights issues,” Karim said. “We want to make sure people understand what is happening and why it matters.”
Educator’s Rising
Educators Rising is a club that offers an inside look into teaching for students. Meetings allow these members to experience what it’s like to be a teacher, from planning various curriculum activities to understanding educational standards. “There aren’t any clubs that we have at LHS for future educators or students interested in going into teaching as a profession,” Mrs. Kristin Tarrant, one of the advisors for Educators Rising, said.
The club is in the novice phase of development, still growing and adapting.
“Since it’s a new club, everyone’s kind of in the same boat,” junior Tala Asad, one of the co-presidents of the club, said. “You don’t feel out of place because everyone is meeting each other for the first time.”
Besides its novelty, members have said it has become one of their favorite parts of the community.
“I’m super glad I [joined],” senior Alicia Bannon, and Social Media Manager, said. “It’s been really fun. I honestly wish it had been around when I was a freshman so I could’ve done it longer.”
In their future, the club wishes to gain more members, allowing further opportunities as time goes on, while also allowing these current members more exposure to what it’s like to work in education.
