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High school clubs grow in variety
Photos of club activities line the wall of a classroom at Phoenix High School, where juniors Alma Gonzalez and Armando Enciso are members of the Latin Expression Club. Student clubs are growing in popularity at schools around the Rogue Valley. Student participation is up, too, as activity and support groups form in Jackson County schools By DAMIAN MANN If you're a high school student, there's probably a club out there with your name on it. Clubs of every stripe and color abound at Jackson County high schools, and interest and membership grow each year. From fun subjects, such as fly-tying or hip-hop, to the more serious, such as philosophy or sexuality, students are joining clubs as fast as they are being created. Many schools report that anywhere from 30 percent to 50 percent of the student body is involved in some kind of club or activity.
Many of the larger campuses have from 20 to almost 50 clubs and activities to choose from. A lot of the clubs are vastly different than the traditional offerings parents might remember such as drama, student government and sports clubs. Students and administrators cite a number of reasons students are joining in droves and club creation is hopping at most campuses. Crater High School Principal Karyn Lynch, who estimates as many as half of the 1,400-member student body participates in a club or activity, has noticed a definite increase in the quantity and interest in clubs over the years. "There is a lot of emphasis on the things kids do in school and how it looks on a resume or how it looks on a college application. Students also want to give back to the community." With about 20 clubs on campus, from Oregon Student Safety on the Move to the Earth Services Corps, students stay busy. "There is lot more available now than there was before," said Lynch. "It doesn't take that many students who have a similar interest to get together and create a comfortable club." "School becomes that much more meaningful when someone joins a club or activity," said North Medford High School counselor Ralph Burrelle. "It creates a sense of belonging and promotes friendships." With more than 40 clubs on campus, Burrelle estimates that perhaps more than 40 percent of the 2,100 students belong to some group. The Buddy Program, in which high school teenagers help elementary children, numbers 300 students alone. South Medford activities director Jerry Hagstrom, who estimates one-third of students belong to some kind of club, said he has never turned down a student's request to create a club. Although the number of clubs has increased over the years, Hagstrom said many last only a school year. "Many of them are personality driven," he said. "When that person leaves, so does the club." Students offer many reasons for joining clubs. Alma Gonzalez, 17, joined the Latin Expression Club at Phoenix High School for altruistic reasons. "If I do something, I do it by heart." Its primary purpose is to educate Anglos about Hispanics. "We're doing the club as a way to share our culture," she said. A member of eight clubs out of 25 at the school, Phoenix High junior Amanda Hulbert admits her hectic schedule is a little stressful at times, "but well worth it." Her main reason for joining everything from the Key Club to STARS (Students Today Aren't Ready for Sex) is simple: "Because I love work and love being in the community." Phoenix high junior Paola Mobley acknowledged that one of her main reasons for joining a club is to look better on her college applications, but she also wanted to get involved in something worthwhile. She is a member of Kids Against Substance Abuse and enjoys going to elementary schools, where she engages in role playing to encourage children not to use drugs. Paola is also involved in STARS and the Talented Feet Jump Rope Team. Eric Spooner, president and co-founder of the Philosophy Club at North Medford, said his group began informally when students got together off campus to present views. "We decided to bring it to school to create a safe haven to argue views that are not usually brought up in class." The students discussed the Sept. 11 attacks on the United States and the military response, with some wanting to nuke the Taliban while others urged a nonviolent approach. Occasionally the students discussed frivolous things. "We argued about whether there should be strawberry milk in the cafeteria," he said. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail dmann@mailtribune.com |
