This year, HC has grown in tremendous ways – expanding everything from their faculty to its list of clubs students can participate in – all with the goal to make every student feel included. New clubs sparked this year, including HOSA, DECA, and even a bible study club, allowing students to grow their business and medical resumes. On the other hand, HC’s Go Green Club had a new sponsor this year. This rapid growth among the clubs here at HC has promoted student collaboration and effective methods to prepare students for their interests beyond academics.
Dr. Condra Ledford explains her process of bringing HOSA, Future Medical Professionals, to HC, and why this is impactful for its student participants.
“HOSA is specific to looking at the high school label [for the most part,]” Dr. Ledford explained. “It’s specific to Allied Hill, Health Science, Biomedical, also HOSA uses their CTSO. A lot of colleges have HOSA at the secondary level. You can even include students as young as sixth grade.”
This strong connection to the medical field helps benefit students enrolled in the Allied Health pathway here at HC. The competition for HOSA has created an amazing opportunity for its students. Sophomore students Harper Wilson, who took second place in Healthy Living, and Arly Weinstein, who took first place in Surgical Technology, demonstrated the success of their first year. Club president, Braelyn Ledford, spoke about her future plans for leading the club.
“I’m planning to do a lot more fundraisers,” Ledford said. “[I am] trying to work on a big project with Sources of Strength. We said that we also wanted to [work] with other people in that.”
This initiative allows the club to grow and prosper while they are here in HC. Similarly, HC’s new DECA club has launched to benefit the students in our business program and pathway. Jenna Smith talks about her process in establishing this club here at HC.
“I knew that we didn’t have one yet, and I knew that there was definitely interest, because we have a lot of students in the business program,” Smith said. “I also did DECA when I was in high school, and I just know that it’s such a fun program, and it offers so many opportunities for students to apply what they’re doing in the classroom, to fund outside activities, network, and [get] scholarships.”
In a short amount of time, our DECA club recruited 65 members. In preparation for next year, Smith wants to see how many students she can support in building their future. Student member, Maggie Hill, talks about her experience working with Ms. Smith to start the club.
“It feels like I can make an impact and do a lot with the school [by helping with this club,]” Hill said. “I’ve been participating in the school based enterprise, and I feel like it’s going to be very successful.” Through her participation, Hill can shape how the club engages students.
With the expansion of student-led activities and clubs, sophomore Luke Flinchum, the founder of HC’s new Bible Study Club, shared his goals and plans.
“I have people trying to set up a social media account for [Bible Study,] just to advertise a little more,” Flinchum said. “[For recruitment,] I plan on focusing more on working with other clubs.”
This ambitious approach to club development is truly memorable, allowing students to engage religiously and support each other thoroughly.
While these new clubs have changed HC in many ways, our Go Green Club–our very own recycling club that benefits the environment of HC – has a new sponsor who wants to continue the club’s tradition for nearly 30 years. Bethany Klug shares her efforts to sustain the club’s mission while growing it for future years. Klug’s new position as sponsor came from helping Tim Bailie continue the club, and giving Bailie time to grow his other clubs surrounding engineering.
“I’m interested in sustainability and helping the environment more. I am planning on doing some things, hopefully in the future with my classroom, getting some things,” Klug said. “Once August [or] September, starts next school year, [we] might try and add a few things, but it’s still kind of up in the air.”
As these clubs continue to find their footing, one thing is clear: HC is evolving into a place where every student has the tools – and the community – to turn their passion into a roadmap for the future.
