GPHS Club interviews
In this article, Teagan McNamara interviews advisors and student members of three clubs at Grants Pass high school including: The Native American Student Union club, Yearbook club and Pride club.
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Grants Pass High school club interviews
Grants Pass High school club interviews
By Teagan McNamara
By Teagan McNamara
It is November at Grants Pass High School and there are still many ways to get involved with extra activities, such as clubs! In all, there are 23 clubs on campus, which gives options and variety to students. Every month, Teagan will be featuring three clubs to interview.
Native American Student Union
Native American Student Union
Advisors: Fawn Perry and Rachelle Watson
Student: Amber Snell
Meeting times: Every first and third Friday from 3:25 to 4:25
Location: Room 206
This club is a multi-ethnic group at Grants Pass High School where Native American students participate in activities of cultural and education services. According to Perry and Watson, advisors of the Native American Student Union, "NASU is an indigenous student club that informs others on subjects and a place where students contribute to projects, for helping the community and raising awareness to Indigenous people's history." Perry and Watson say that, historically, at Grants Pass High School, there has not been a place for Native American students and students wanting to learn more about this culture in a club. Thankfully and recently, there now is!
Other schools in the area, such as Hedrick Middle School in Medford, also have Native American Student Union programs. The University of Oregon and Southern Oregon University both have organized programs and meetings for NASU. There are other opportunities and programs for people out of school in Grants Pass, too. For anyone who is indigenous and/or wants to have more experience learning about and helping to inform others about their culture, this would be the right club to join!
Amber Snell, a student member of the Native American Student Union, joined when the club started (which was last year). Amber says, “My favorite part of being in the club is being able to have a supportive community and learn about my culture.”
The Native American Student Union club is a great place to learn more about Native American culture and have a supportive community.
Photo credit: NASU
Yearbook Club
Yearbook Club
Advisor: Terry Green
President: Aurora Case
Meeting times: Mondays: 3:30 to 4:30
Location: Room 605
The yearbook club is a group of motivated students who create the school yearbook. This is Terry Green's fifth year as yearbook advisor. Terry Green explains, "Yearbook club is more than just a club. We are a group of friends, mentors and a place that our yearbook staff typically describe as being more like you are part of a family. We work together as a team, creating something special that our classmates will hopefully remember for many years. We work hard, have lots of deadlines, often operating under pressure, but we always have lots of fun!" Terry discusses how she absolutely loves the look of the staff's faces when the yearbook is completed. Love, pride and ownership is put into the yearbook, with each member creating something important to the school. Green says, "The team gets to finally see the fruits of their hard work. I often tell people that I have the greatest job in the world. I get to come to GPHS and help students every day get through their academic struggles, be someone they can trust, talk to and rely on. Being yearbook advisor allows me to teach our students something other than Math, English or Science!"
The team always invites new members to join, even if they have no experience or background in the yearbook club. Benefits of joining include learning to step out of comfort zones, acquiring lifelong skills, such as page design, copywriting, editing, photography, time management, teamwork, marketing, creative skills and leadership skills. The yearbook team records our school’s memories and events.There are many considerable advantages for joining this club like making new friends, going places to record school events, having special privileges and A LOT of Pizza!
Aurora Case, president of the yearbook club has just recently been elected president of the club. She clarifies, "We haven't really had another club since the announcement of the president and vice president so I haven't really had a chance to explore this position that much. But I do know that as this year goes on it will become more fun and meaningful to the club." Aurora joined the yearbook club this year and she says "I had been meaning to do it previous years, I just never found myself with enough time until this year."
Join Join the yearbook club today to create the school yearbook, as well as preserve many memories.
Photo credit: Constant Contact
Pride Club
Pride Club
Advisers: Jenny Tyrrell and Rachelle Watson
President: Deenie Bulyalert
Meeting times: Wednesdays during lunch from 12:25 to 1:00
Location: Room 235
In PRIDE club, students advocate for a safe place to discuss LGBTQIA topics, issues, and history with students and allies. Creating activities and helping the community. Tyrrell, advisor of Pride club explains "PRIDE is a club where LGBTQIA+ students and their allies come together to present a safe space at Grants Pass High School. Students also organize events that promote education and historical lessons on LGBTQIA+ issues." I asked Tyrrell why she advises this club and she says, "I advise this club because I recognize a student equity need in the realm of LGBTQIA+ students. I feel that everyone should have equity and safety opportunities at GPHS. Everyone deserves to feel like they belong."
This club is a safe environment for people to join, where there is acceptance, support, and understanding of LGBTQIA+ identities and to discuss ideas comfortably. LGBTQIA+ students and allies at Grants Pass High School advocate for students. If advocating for LGBTQIA+ students is of value to you, then consider this club!
Deenie Bulyalert, president of PRIDE club has been in PRIDE Club since middle school. In high school, they joined during their sophomore year after COVID. Bulyalert says the following of PRIDE club: "My favorite part of being president is getting to hear all these different thoughts on different topics. Being able to have a safe place where we can talk and discuss ideas that we otherwise don't feel comfortable talking about. My favorite part is being part of a community the most. This club helps me just as much as it helps other people.”
Join PRIDE club today to advocate for LGBTQIA+ students of Grants Pass High School.
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons
Sources:
Sources:
Grants Pass high school club students and advisors
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