Clubs: The old and the new
By Joshua Yan Nov. 9, 2023
Clubs have always been an integral part of student life, helping students with similar interests congregate, but as the student body changes every year, so too does the collection of associations the school has to offer.
Though many clubs simply fizzle and disappear over the course of a school year, others persist for years. Despite being long-lasting, however, such clubs are still privy to change, especially as leadership changes. One example is Junior Susie Goldsmith, who took her place as president of the Gender Sexuality Alliance (GSA)—a club intended to provide a safe and welcoming place for individuals in the LGBTQ+ community—after its previous president graduated last year. Following her experience last year, Goldsmith wanted to have a bigger role in the club to expand its impact further.
“I plan to encourage a lot more interaction and discussion with the whole club. Last year, there were a lot of presentations, but clubs are a lot more fun when everyone is more actively involved,” Goldsmith said.
The same is the case with Key Club, which is part of a larger organization that has been providing volunteer opportunities to students at various high schools since 1967. Like in the case of GSA, its former president graduated, leaving the spot open for its current leader, Senior Amber Lu. This year, Lu hopes to increase member retention by increasing the amount of social events and bonding activities in the club. While some students form clubs to foster communities and have fun, others tackle social issues through methods such as promoting female representation in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics or raising charity for underprivileged groups. Step2Serve is one such club. Formed by Freshman Anjika Bansal and Junior Dana Lim, it aims to help alleviate the homelessness crisis through volunteering and spreading awareness.
“I have always been interested in serving the community, so I started this club to find others who shared my interest in helping the cause. Clubs are a good way to achieve something big because they give us the resources to do things we could not before,” Bansal said.
Clubs provide an important social outlet and are an avenue for like-minded individuals to connect. Though many clubs have changed over the years, they remain a key element of student culture, promoting a sense of community and togetherness among those at the school.
About the contributors
Joshua Yan
staff writer
Joshua Yan is a Junior at Leland High School and is a staff writer for The Charger Account. In his free time, he enjoys playing the piano, listening to music, and playing video games.
Gilina Voon
staff writer, photographer
Gilina Voon is a senior at Leland High School and is a writer and photographer for The Charger Account. During her free time, she enjoys traveling, hanging out with friends, and running.
Celina Liu
photographer
Celina Liu is a senior at Leland High School and is in the photo/media team for The Charger Account. During her free time, she enjoys watching anime, and petting her cat.
