As classes get more difficult and more demanding throughout the year, finding a place to engage in fellowship, potentially for a greater purpose, is important to maintaining a healthy school-life balance. At the UNICEF club, Latin club, and Math Captains, a feel-good environment is what they’re all about.
UNITED NATIONS INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN’S EMERGENCY FUND
UNICEF is an international organization that provides humanitarian aid to children. The organization, as well as the club, helps raise funds for these causes.
“It’s for kids that are being affected by wars or who don’t have enough food or water and need shelter,” club vice president Aspen DeWan said.
The club meets every three weeks to discuss fundraising opportunities. Their most recent fundraiser was a Halloween bucket raffle.
Last year, the club had the opportunity to video call with kids from Afghanistan.
“They were all inventors,” DeWan said. “One kid invented a proposal box, but when he opened it up, it lit up on the inside. Another kid built a lamp.”
It’s kids like these, who don’t have access to resources to make a successful living based on their abilities, that the club helps support.
UNICEF is currently planning a bake sale during First Friday in February, to raise money for more donations..
Club president Zach Johansen emphasizes the importance of joining a club such as this one.
“We want everyone in UNICEF to truly care for the mission that we stand for and to want to help,” Johansen said. “It’s very important to help everyone and that is the biggest thing we want people to learn.”
LATIN CLUB
Last school year, when Latin teacher Lynn Krepich retired, many Latin club members thought that, like the language, the club was dead. But, with the help of senior Caroline VanEpps, the club found a new sponsor, Matthew Landers, and were able to revitalize the club.
“I had never taken a class or worked with [Landers] before, so it means a lot to me and others that he wants to help us continue Latin club this year,” VanEpps said.
At most of their meetings, there are snacks, friends, and most important to club members, like junior Mark Giardina, mythology themed arts and crafts.
“I really like arts and crafts,” Giardina said. Giardina had taken Latin I and II and was upset to hear that the Latin culture could potentially not be at County, but joined the Latin club to spend time with his friends and engage in Roman culture.
Thankfully, Latin has been thriving through events at the club such as Saturnalia, an ancient Roman holiday worshiping Saturn. Despite the activity, they hope to simply teach all there is to learn about Roman culture.
“We have members who love all sorts of topics such as Roman battle history, the Latin Language, ancient Greek mythology, classical poetry, Roman culture, and more,” VanEpps said. No Latin experience is required, so if anyone is interested in talking about Classical antiquity, or just eating snacks and hanging out with friends, they are extremely welcome.”
MATH CAPTAINS
Math Captains begins with a fun, group-based competition called AMC, where students can win candy.
Math Captains meets bi-weekly on Thursdays after school in room 256. The club eases students who may be having trouble with their math work.
“If you look at a problem and you have no idea how to solve it, we’ll talk it through, and you’ll find a lot of things you thought were hard were really easy,” club vice president Aurora McLaughlin-Peconom said.
This year, the club is planning on expanding its horizons by becoming a part of the Math Honor Society. “We’re also looking to tutor and start a math club with Simpson Middle School,” McLaughlin-Peconom said.
Math Captains hopes to inspire students to not just gain an interest in math, but also ask for help when needed.
“Our club isn’t about getting better at math. It’s to show that everyone can be a part of math,” McLaughlin-Peconom said. “We want people to know that when school is getting hard, there’s someone here to help you.”
