With the start of the new school year, many hopeful students strive to create their own clubs here at Lebanon Trail. Clubs play a vital role in student life as they serve as an opportunity for students to delve deeper into their interests. While countless students seek to build their own clubs, not all of them are able to pursue that goal. Since the application pool is much larger than the amount of spots available a great deal of clubs are cut. Therefore increasing competition among curricular and non curricular clubs to earn a spot.
Much like the real world healthcare, and business are popular fields students desire to get involved in at school. Similarly in college, healthcare and business majors are favorites among students. As a result, health and business-related clubs such as DECA and HOSA have consistently attracted the attention of students over the years. However, this makes it difficult for emerging healthcare and business-related clubs to differentiate themselves from existing clubs.
“This isn’t just a college application filler,” junior Shiv Sharma said. “We truly want to make the club reach new heights and compete with the likes of DECA and HOSA.”
As the president and founder of United States Medical Professionals, Shiv Sharma is determined to be a top contender for healthcare clubs despite there being well-established medical clubs like HOSA and Red Cross.
“This year, we will see events like a test and a roleplay which will count for our school competition,” Sharma said. “We also plan on district competition for our five chapters.”
District-wide competitions serve as an opportunity for students to earn achievements and honorary rewards for their effort through award ceremonies. While competition temporarily creates rivalry among students, club members share a common goal of receiving recognition for their diligence. In addition, competitions allow students to develop skills used in the professional world such as speaking, problem solving, and teamwork.
“There are many aspects that set us apart from others,” Simona Shlayfman said.
One of many new clubs Lightaid is a certified 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to fixing the issue of light poverty and inequities in countries all over the world, aiming to expand their reach towards their student body. Through hosting fundraisers, volunteering events, and chapter events the organizations fight to engage the youth in their movement.
“We are driven by a mission to improve the lives of those who are less fortunate,” junior Simona Shlayfman, Vice President said. “We don’t focus on our school or community, but giving a helping hand to the world so that everyone has a safe environment to live in.”
With the new club rules being enforced, students no longer have the ability to hold club meetings during Mega Lunch, but instead must hold meetings before or after school. The enforcement of this new rule specifically has an impact on students involved in several extracurriculars.
“Personally, this may affect us a little more because we, as officers, participate in many extracurricular activities,” Shlayfman said. “I’m on the tennis team and usually have after-school practice as well as matches three times a week in the afternoon.”
This serves as a setback to many students as other extracurricular activities overlap with these times such as practice before school or games after school. Making it even more difficult for students to manage their classes along with extracurricular activities and outside jobs.
“We definitely have to work around our schedules to find a time we can all meet, especially with Om being on the basketball team but it’s definitely possible and so worth it in the end,” Lightaid Co-President Shlayfman said.
By focusing on their goals instead of their obstacles, students find a way to persevere through their hardships. Their efforts are not wasted, but rather rewarded. Although high school clubs are typically used to develop students’ interests and passions, clubs expanded beyond the scope of our school and into affecting communities ultimately building towards their future careers this year.
Carmen Laveglia • Oct 10, 2024 at 9:10 pm
Great article!!! and omg that’s me hahaha