Coming into a new year means students can learn all about the variety of clubs on campus and find one they are interested in joining. From letting people make new friendships through icebreakers and discussions to clubs that talk about serious matters such as activism and social issues, there is a club for everyone.

Activities director Mr. Jesse Armas explains the steps to creating or renewing a club.

“If you want to create a club on campus, you come to the student store or go to the Whitney High School website and get an application. [When it is completed], you submit [it to the] Student Life committee and a group of leadership staff and advisors go through the applications and make sure everyone is all in it for the same thing. At that point, we let them know if they are approved to be a club,” Armas said.

ASB Student Life Co-commissioner Ellie Hokerson-Brun makes sure all clubs reach the school standard. 

“[I] facilitate all the clubs and make sure they are aligned with the district and our inclusivity statements and [make sure] they promote positivity on campus,” Hokerson-Brun said.

Club Rush will take place Sept. 22 during first and second lunch. This will be the first time since spring of 2020. Kiana Kim is the president of The Human Rights Advocacy Club, which was formerly known as Amnesty Club. 

“It is essentially a group of individuals who come together in hopes of accomplishing the same goal: to ensure that human rights are accessible to everyone through avocation,” Kim said.“[Everyone is from] various ethnic/cultural backgrounds and have different political opinions, our club finds ingenuity in our differences, allowing us to take creative approaches to various issues.”

Kim feels passionate about her club and what they stand for.

“I decided to found this club because in a society where not enough action, like speaking up and taking the initiative to learn is taken, especially in a town such as Rocklin. HRA provides a safe environment for those who want to take that initiative,” Kim said.

Hokerson-Brun, advise how a club should take initiative and promote themselves at Club Rush.

“Making a really good club [needs a] strong social media presence, and reaching out around campus, to students, and having a bunch of events and activities and consistent meetings is really important,” Hokerson-Brun said. “Your booth at Club Rush should be big, fun, and representative of who you want to be as a club. “

Clubs that are either new or returning this year all have a reason for displaying a booth at Club Rush.

“By advertising HRA at Club Rush, we hope to essentially gain more members, old and new, who are passionate about their beliefs and are seeking a safe environment to pursue one’s passion,” Kim said.

The event is a day for students to get more involved with campus life.

Armas said, “The students hear the music, see the setup … they come down and check it out and see what they’re interested in and sign up in a club if they would like.”

by SARA KAULAHAO, KATIE LACY & NIKHITA TANDON