The switch to a new club and activities manager has prompted many student clubs to emerge at Marriotts Ridge High School. The recent influx of clubs has been widely representative of MRHS Mustangs, showcasing the unique range of the student’s interests. With the process being simplified this school year, the requirements for students interested in starting a club are much easier than the requirements from previous years.
In prior years, students had to present a slideshow pitching their club idea. Only a few of these ideas would go on to be approved if there seemed to be a need for the club. This year, Mr.Ingram, the new club and activities manager, has simplified the process of creating a new club down to a few steps and a simple form.
“The first part of the process is number one, identifying a need that we don’t already have. So, if you want to start a club you have to find a sponsor. Number two, it has to be something we don’t already have in place or something similar to what we have. Once you do those two things: identify a need and find a sponsor who agrees to be a part of the process, the third part is myself and Marty Cherry approving that club. Then you can get started from there,” Mr.Ingram explained.
Many students at Marriotts Ridge belong to clubs that align with their interests and
play a large role in their high school experience. Creating a supportive environment with extracurricular activities for all students was one of the driving forces Mr.Ingram had for simplifying the club creation process.
“I think the enrichment piece is very important, giving all kids here a place where they feel like they’re welcome and have a group of students that have similar needs and interests to them. So, I think the club process and having so many new different clubs here definitely helps improve the school community and climate. It gives kids kind of a reprieve from the academic rigors they all have to face,” Mr.Ingram added.
Many of the new clubs that are being created are filled with a variety of opportunities for students to grow their career interests. Many students identified a need and created clubs since they noticed a lack of existing clubs focusing on something in particular.
“I started Econ club because I noticed that a lot of MRHS students, especially underclassmen, had an interest in economics and economics competitions, but didn’t have an opportunity to learn about and participate in them because there was no group at school that allowed them to engage in this interest,” said junior and Econ Club founder, Soha Mahapatra.
With the process last year, many students had concerns about finding a sponsor since most teachers have already committed to sponsoring another existing club. However, with the change in leadership, students were able to ask teachers who already sponsored existing clubs to also sponsor their clubs if they had time. Leaving this choice to take on an additional club to teachers helped more students in getting their club approved.
“The main thing I was struggling with was finding a sponsor since a lot of the teachers are already booked with their schedules. I literally emailed the entire staff of the school and then I went to Mr.Mclagan who was my AP Government teacher and he agreed to sponsor. So, that was the first thing I had to do and then I submitted the school forms and the ones the organization needed as well,” junior Neha Praveen mentioned.
Overall the process for starting a club this year has become straightforward and simplified. This allows for many more students to chase after their passions and interests, while both sharing these with their peers and also furthering their own exploration.
