by Chloe Watkins
Are there any clubs at LCHS that you wish you were in but decided not to join? There are so many clubs offered at LCHS it’s almost impossible to be a part of all of them. This means that there’s basically a club, organization, or sport that fits everyone's interest, meaning there isn’t a reason not to be involved in at least one club.
School involvement allows you to meet new people and make new friends that you may not meet if you hadn’t been involved. You can find people that you have things in common with and also build on your social skills. At one point, Mr. Webster (a history teacher at LCHS) had taught in the Freshman Academy and preached to them about getting involved. He stated that “High school is tough and some days it’s hard to be here. When you’re involved in clubs and activities, you find something you enjoy beyond your basic classroom stuff. You find people who are interested in the same things you are, and that broadens your social circle which is sometimes hard to do. Being involved in clubs and sports also opens up opportunities for skills that will help you both in and out of school, while potentially opening the door for scholarships.”
Being over-involved in school, even though it has its benefits, can definitely be a bad thing. Students spread themselves so thin trying to make sure they’re involved in many different organizations, whether it is to appear a well rounded student or just to fill in any free time. There is also a lot expected from students from external forces and the need and pressure to keep up with that is difficult to handle. Micah Page, a senior, is the definition of being over involved, and said, “You never sleep, you’re always in a bad mood and you put a smile on your face no matter what kind of mood you're actually in.” Page explains that involvement can be fun in the moment, but it eventually starts to weigh down on the student if she takes on too many responsibilities.
Teamwork and compromise can also be learned and those are important parts of social skills that are mandatory in the workforce and any relationship. During high school, you form so much of your personality and views on life. Joining a club or sport benefits leadership and public speaking skills in all ways. When I joined DECA, I didn’t expect to be able to learn how to talk in front of larger groups of people or, for that matter, becoming the president and being able to lead the rest of the club. I know I’m not the only student that clubs and activities benefit. Whether it be a club or a sport that you're involved in, you acquire leadership roles which can come even in the smallest forms. It could be that you help freshman, lowerclassmen, or someone that’s new to that organization. A fellow senior, Jenna Robertson, said “DECA has helped me to be able to come out of my shell and helped me with my public speaking skills. As an officer, I have to step up and speak in front of the schools chapter. This will definitely be beneficial to me for college and my future career.”
School involvement is one of the key features of highschool that not only makes it fun and more enjoyable, but gives you the skills you need to be successful and build your own future, so long as you don’t overdo it.
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