Get Involved: Clubs and Other School Opportunities
10 min read•july 11, 2024
Riya Patel
Riya Patel
Clubs and Other School Opportunities
As we are about to transition into the school year next month, I’d like to give you an inside look into a few of the clubs that are offered at my school! (Note: Even if these clubs aren't offered at your school, maybe you can try to start them!)
To give you a full scope of the day-to-day activities in these clubs, I interviewed some of my friends who participate in them, as well as some alumni! I asked them about what they most enjoyed, why others should join, and what impact these clubs have had on them.
So, let's get started!
HOSA: Health Occupations Students of America
HOSA is an international student organization whose mission is "to empower HOSA-Future Health Professionals to become leaders in the global health community through education, collaboration, and experience".
I interviewed Neeti Swami, sophomore at Texas Tech and HOSA Alumni, for this section.
1. What did you enjoy the most about HOSA?
One of the things I enjoyed most about HOSA was the feeling of being part of a community that gave back what I put into it. I have countless treasured memories from high school and many of them are because of the opportunities I had through HOSA, whether it was building a haunted house for safe trick-or-treating or being able to fly to California and compete/meet with people from all over! Even the not so fun stuff such as late evening officer meetings or the need to count a bazillion pennies for our coin drive are looked back upon fondly.
2. Why do you think people should join this club?
I think there are three main reasons to join HOSA: service opportunities, academic opportunities, and social opportunities. With so many ways to volunteer, I definitely got a large chunk of my hours from HOSA (especially if you’re an officer). HOSA is also designed to enrich those interested in health care careers which it does through doing competition, speakers, and service related exposure. Finally (as mentioned before), HOSA is a great community to be a part of where you get to know so many people!
3. What impact did HOSA have on you?
As a past officer of HOSA (for three years), I think HOSA gave me a ton of experience in building leadership and managerial skills which I use on the daily. In addition, it gave me so many friends and relationships that I wouldn’t have built otherwise and that I value so much. Finally, it definitely gave me quite a bit of exposure to the health field and people who were interested in it which helped me envision and give more insight to the career path that I wanted after high school.
Tennis
Tennis is a racket sport that can be played individually or with a partner against one or two opponents. (Pretty self explanatory!)
I interviewed Linh Nguyen, junior at Stony Point High School, for this section.
1. What do you enjoy the most about being on the team?
The thing I enjoy the most about tennis is being able to be a part of a team. When you’re on a team, you feel like you’re a part of something and contributing to make it better.
2. Why do you think people should join Tennis?
I think others should join tennis because it’ll help them work better with others, especially if they play doubles! In doubles, both team members must have clear communication and be able to work together in order to win the point.
3. What impact has it had on you?
Tennis has made me realize that I can’t do everything by myself and that it’s okay to ask people for help. I used to think that I didn’t need help to get better, but now I know.
Young Women With Dignity
Young Women With Dignity is a club geared towards the encouragement and education of females, and is based around support, encouragement, motivation, and advisement.
I interviewed Mariana Aguilera, freshman at Southeastern Louisiana University and club alumni, for this section.
1. What did you enjoy the most about this club?
One aspect of the club that I really enjoyed was the Sisterhood Box. Everyone writes down anything they wanted to discuss anonymously: things they were struggling with, hot topics in the media, et cetera, and the whole group would give their opinion or advice on the situation that was presented.
2. Why do you think people should join Young Women With Dignity?
I believe the people should join Young Women With Dignity if they want to get more connected in the school, want to further volunteer in their community, and if they want to discover new things about themselves along the way.
3. What impact did this club have on you?
Since the club offers many opportunities for leadership, I was able to become the vice president for the 2018-2019 school year. I learned how to make inciting presentations and make others feel welcomed. All in all, the most profound effect it had on me was with developing my leadership skills.
FBLA: Future Business Leaders of America
FBLA is a student-led business organization whose mission is to "inspire and prepare students to become community-minded business leaders in a global society through relevant career preparation and leadership experiences".
I interviewed Emi Matsumae, junior at Stony Point High School, for this section.
1. What do you enjoy the most about FBLA?
I enjoy the leadership opportunity that FBLA lets me exercise. Before I got an officer position, it allowed me to focus on communication through their presentation competitions. Along with that, I also got to network and create a support system of fellow students who are along in the FBLA journey with me.
Now that I am the Social Media Officer, I get to exercise leadership in a few more extra ways, such as self-designing the Instagram posts, or taking initiative in creating solutions to help promote and grow our club even further. The reason I love these leadership opportunities is for the growth in character I feel when pushing myself to try new things. Although I may feel unconfident at first, by the end of the project, I can tell a difference in my attitude, wanting to try and push myself even more the next.
Finally, I take great pleasure in creating the Instagram posts for FBLA. Seeing the image in my head transfer to the final product overjoys me, and getting to share that out with the world and have it represent FBLA makes me happy.
2. Why do you think people should join this club?
People should join FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) for many various reasons. Whether it be to gain leadership experiences through their officer positions or competitions, FBLA has it all. Along with that, FBLA hosts conferences on the state and national level. Both conferences have various keynote speakers discuss about all things business, which not only gives great insight into the business world, but passes down knowledge from those who are experienced.
If business is a subject that you want to excel in, and take to the next level, FBLA is the perfect club for you. The combination of networks, resources, and dedicated club members creates a great environment for flourishing in business. If you aren’t as sure about business being your passion, FBLA is a great way to dip your toes into the realm of it all. FBLA has plenty of other benefits, but these are the reasons why I think others should join.
3. What impact has FBLA had on you?
FBLA has helped form the confidence I need in other areas of my life. I am able to lead for others in my other extracurriculars like Tiger Dancers (Drill Team), and know when to step in as a leader for others using my voice. FBLA has also helped me explore the realm of business, as I did not know the true essence of it before.
Thanks to the club, not only was my confidence and view as a leader evolved, I also am knowledgeable about an ever-changing and fast-paced industry.
Cheer
Cheer is an activity where participants perform to either motivate sports teams, entertain the audience, or compete.
I interviewed Catalina Mulhollan, junior at Stony Point High School, for this section.
1. What do you enjoy the most about Cheer?
I enjoy cheer because I get to strengthen my physical skills as well as be a part of a family. I get to learn new things and test my boundaries in a good way. I also enjoy bonding with my team!
2. Why do you think people should join the team?
I think others should join cheer if they want to test their physical limits and just have fun. Cheer is a big financial/time commitment but at the end of the day, everything is worth it.
3. What impact has Cheer had on you?
Cheer has definitely impacted my attitude and well being. It keeps me strong and active, as well as responsible and careful. I learned to keep a positive attitude no matter what, because it will make for a better experience.
NSDA: National Speech and Debate Association
NSDA is a national club whose mission is to "to connect, support, and inspire a diverse community committed to empowering students through competitive speech and debate".
I interviewed Arnav Hiray, junior at Stony Point High School, for this section.
1. What do you enjoy the most about being on the Debate team?
Often I am asked the question, "Why do you do debate?" Although I became especially involved during high school, I was first introduced to debate in first grade through speech contests and class discussions. Even though the details of my first memories have blurred, my excitement and passion for debate has not wavered to this day. Since I was young, I have always been the curious type who sought to learn more.
Debate is an activity where I get to engage in discussions and topics which we might not consider in our daily lives, yet they still are of great importance. Just recently, I attended Nationals for debate, where hundreds of high schoolers debated over the ethics of violent revolutions against oppression. The topic this year for Texas’s state tournament was about whether the illegal use of drugs should be treated as a matter of public health or of criminal justice.
Debate has introduced me to new issues and current events which I had not ever imagined. I love debate because every time I go into a debate round, I always walk out having learned something new. Debate is meant to be an educational activity, and I have learned so much through debate while still having fun.
2. Why do you think people should join Debate?
Whenever I tell others that I do debate, everyone always seems to conclude, “So you want to be a lawyer right?” I think this is like saying that only lawyers ever talk to someone about a topic or engage in discussion attempting to convince someone. I believe that debate develops skills which are constitutive of a good leader and speaker, no matter what career one wants to pursue. Debate allows shy and timid students who are afraid to talk publicly to overcome their fears and experience a new activity. This helps students even after high school as they prepare to become future leaders, activists, and citizens of the world.
Debate also fosters creative thinking by requiring students to make up arguments and refutations on the spot. In a debate round, you constantly have to be thinking about what possible responses your opponent could make and why are you still winning the round. Critical thinking is crucial as rational thinking and using logic is an essential part of making good and safe life decisions.
3. What impact has it had on you?
Debate has heavily influenced my life. Debate provides me an opportunity to take a break from my busy schedule and do something that I enjoy. The thrill of debate rounds is something I can never forget. I have had rounds so close and exciting I've literally walked out of the room as red as a tomato. I win rounds and I lose rounds, but after each tournament I always look forward to the next.
Debate has also given me a platform to represent my community and school nationally. My success unified my community as teachers, students, and community members cheered on my coach and I during Nationals last month. I was able to make my school, community, and coach proud. Debate has become more than how I represent myself, it is about representing my entire community. Debate has provided me with a way to give back to everyone who has helped and supported me along the way. It has changed me as a person and as a leader in my community.
...and that's pretty much it! Although these were only a meager portion of the clubs that I know of at my school, hopefully this inspires you to join or lead more clubs this school year!
Also, I'd like to shout out to my friends for helping me out! Thank you, guys!