As some activities wind down and eventually end
at certain points in the year, some students are left with not
much more to do than go home and do homework unless
they have another activity to be a part of. However, if there
isn’t one that appeals to a student, why not start their own?
While the student involvement rate is high right now, 75
percent according to Activities Director Jeff Fink, it could
still be a lot higher. Students can get involved in activities
and there are several of them at
the school. However, students
also have the opportunity to
create their own student clubs.
“I like to have a list of
all the current clubs and activities
that we have,” said Fink, “so
we can publicize it to the eighth
graders.”
It is possible for students
to start their own clubs,
but there is a process to making
one official. Fink said that it would require an advisor, a
specific meeting place, what you would do, but most importantly
it has to be self sufficient. This means that you
wouldn’t need any money from the district or school to
keep the club’s activities going. Then the students involved
would have to bring that information to Fink to get it approved.
“The most important thing would be supervision
for us,” said Assistant Principal Donnie Thompson.
More and more students seem to be getting involved
and the involvement rate at the school has continued
to increase since the beginning of the year. It is encouraged
by Fink and other members of the
staff, like Thompson, that students
try as best they can to get involved.
“Anybody can start a club,” said
Fetzik, “but it has to be approved to
become official.”
Sometimes, students will gather
in the school to do some activities,
but these are considered informal
clubs since they haven’t been officially
approved. One such group
is the Yu-Gi-Oh club which was
started last year by two students, and has since grown into a
larger group. Groups like this, while unofficial, still need an
advisor, a set meeting place, availability for that place and
members. This information should also be brought to Fink
even if the group doesn’t desire to become an official group
for purposes of just knowing location.
“Turnouts this year are incredible,” said Fetzik.
“Hopefully it’s a good sign for future involvement if we can
have such large numbers right now.”
The boost in involvement from current students
is great for current activities that are at the school, but if
there’s not something here that appeals to them; why not
start their own?