Activism

The climate club fights some of the most pressing environmental crises facing our generation including climate change and pollution. Through a variety of events and projects organized by the club, members can help create real change in our school and beyond. There’s no limit to the environmental issues our club can take on, as long as students can design realistic means of achieving their goal. We are always looking for new members who care about the earth and want to make our school and community more environmentally friendly. 

1. Students who care about the environment will have lots of opportunities to make positive change, from organizing fundraisers to planting trees to implementing environmentally-friendly changes around the school.

2. Students will be able to earn SSL hours by participating in many of the events organized by our club.

3. Students can participate at their own pace. 

Sponsor: eleanor_park@mcpsmd.org 

Food Allergies Rock! is a new club at RM for people with food allergies or intolerances (or people without any who just want to learn!) to come together and share their experiences with avoiding specific food or helping others to do so. By hearing others' experiences, members of this club can educate themselves on how to be safe as teenagers with food allergies. There will also be potlucks with completely allergy-friendly food! 

1. Sharing experiences with food allergies to help others not feel alone

2. Educating many on how to stay safe as teenagers with food allergies

3. Hosting potluck-style lunch parties so everyone has something to eat! 

Sponsor: kerri_o_fry@mcpsmd.org 

The Green Team is a place for passionate environmentalists to come together and advocate for pressing environmental change, while also participating in environmental sustainability projects in the county. This is the perfect opportunity for students to speak out against unjust policies and environmental degradation in MOCO. Students can receive SSL or CAS hours by participating.

1. Experience in environmental advocacy and leadership

2. Participation in community service projects

3. Extensive opportunities for SSL and CAS hours

Sponsor: Molly_M_Estrada@mcpsmd.org

Organization working towards building better healthcare access primarily for local residents who recently immigrated to the US (and their children). 

1. Learning to write testimony

2. Connecting with legislators

3. Getting more involved in healthcare

Sponsor: nathaniel_mason@mcpsmd.org 

This club is a space and a community for RM athletes where they can learn about strategies on how to balance a school and sports related lifestyle, while maintaining a healthy mindset. 

We will have sports psychologists, college coaches and other sport professionals coming to the club as guest speakers providing insight, strategies and other helpful materials to student athletes on ways that they can balance their mental health and their school work. 

Sponsor: carlos_montalvan@mcpsmd.org

My Neuro-Corner was established in partnership with the Stanford Neurodiversity Project, with the goal of providing a safe and encouraging platform for neurodiverse students. We aim to create an inclusive environment for all people - neurodiverse and neurotypical - as well as help guide neurodiverse students with the transition to post-secondary education and beyond. Check out the website: https://linktr.ee/myneurocorner 

1. Learn about neurodiversity (what it is, the history behind the term).

2. Provide a safe platform for others to share their personal experiences.

3. Increase general knowledge and raise awareness about neurodiversity through neurodiversity advocacy. 

Sponsor: karl_f_kovacs@mcpsmd.org 

A meeting place for those that are interested in the protection of the oceans and marine life. 

1. Planning and participating in ocean cleanups in surrounding areas

2. Presenting on and learning about various ocean organisms

3. Advocating for less ocean pollution and more preservation of our oceans 

Sponsor: renee_l_harmon@mcpsmd.org

About 30 million people are affected by a rare disease in the US. While this is a large number in total, each individual disease is quite rare (of course!) and is therefore often under-diagnosed, under-treated, under-researched and under-funded, leaving people and families living with these diseases out in the cold. This club will work together to advocate for and increase awareness of rare diseases. 

1. We'll have fun! As a club, we'll host fundraisers, celebrate Rare Diseases Day, and pursue opportunities to participate in local/regional activities, which may include advocacy events, scientific conferences/talks, and government policy initiatives in the wider community outside of RM.

2. We'll learn new things! Each meeting, we'll learn about rare diseases and challenges facing the Rare Diseases community from a member of the club, or else from patients, caregivers, and experts.

3. We'll make a difference! Our club will help people and the community by increasing awareness of rare diseases, advocating for positive change, as well as contributing in other ways." 

Sponsor: eleanor_park@mcpsmd.org 

Our club offers: engaging activities for club meetings and school-wide activities; opportunities to connect with other students who are part of the movement (including those in the local DMV and on the national level); and the ability to make a positive impact on our school's mental health awareness - mental health is something that affects all students (and all staff and community members for that matter). 

Sponsors: Lisa_M_Nesson@mcpsmd.org / rmmindsmatter@gmail.com

The RM chapter of the National Organization for Women. NOW was founded in 1966, and is the largest organization of feminist activists in the US. NOW aims to promote feminist ideals, lead societal change, and achieve and protect the equal rights of all women in all aspects of life. We will learn about different relevant topics, advocate at RM and in the community, and respond to circumstances with action as they come up. 

1. RM Chapter of the National Organization for Women, the largest feminist grassroots organization in the US

2. NOW is intersectional, and focuses on many different topics and issues relating to feminism and equality

3. At meetings, we will learn, advocate, and organize actions 

Sponsor: lisa_j_macfarlane@mcpsmd.org 

The Sexuality and Gender Alliance is a safe zone for LGBTQ and any other victims of bullying, and a forum for LGBTQ discussion and education as well as a center for local and global LGBTQ activism at RMHS. Our goal is to create a safe space, celebrate LGBTQ culture, and find others with similar interests within the community.

Sponsor: jason_e_colchao@mcpsmd.org  

Our mission is to educate and initiate students and the community in order to learn and practice healthier living habits. We work to promote regenerative agriculture and living, as well as home gardening. We want our members to be leaders in the community and instigate change through our hands-on projects. 

We have horticulture based activities, sustainability and Eco-friendly practice initiatives, as well as green based lessons. 

Sponsor: Eleanor_Park@mcpsmd.org 

As a sub chapter of global youth 501C 3 organization, our goal is to empower and help youth and students to become future leaders and make a positive impact in their communities. 

1. You can earn SSL hours through the fundraiser events.

2. Good on college resumes.

3. Good opportunities hang out with new people. 

Sponsor: Chamara_U_Wijeratne@mcpsmd.org

Club made in light of growing antisemitism in MOCO/RM. Work to educate people in the school and county on topics such as Kanye West, the Holocaust, and acts of discrimination happening currently. 

1. For both Jewish and non-Jewish students

2. Work with other students to educate the school/county about Judaism and the antisemitism happening now

3. Discuss discrimination happening now and ways to help 

Sponsor: Allison_G_Adams@mcpsmd.org 

Students Against Trafficking is a club that works toward spreading awareness about human trafficking, and helping trafficking survivors in a way that is both safe for students, and beneficial for the people affected. Throughout the year, club members will learn about what trafficking is, how it happens, warning signs of trafficking, and what they can do to support the cause to end trafficking. As a part of the club, members are given the opportunity to create real change for trafficking survivors by helping them directly, and educating more people about the implications of trafficking. SSL hours will be given out. 

1. Learn about the causes and effects of human trafficking

2. Organize donation drives and volunteer at shelters to help trafficking survivors (SSL hours)

3. Write testimonials and work with different organizations to spread awareness about trafficking 

Sponsor: michael_p_oakes@mcpsmd.org

Firearms are the #1 killer of kids and teens in America. Richard Montgomery’s Students Demand Action is part of more than 700 high schools across the country taking part of Everytown’s Students Demand Action initiative. This club is student led, fighting to end violence associated with firearms. It is a great opportunity to get leadership and advocacy experience. Our chapter’s top priority is to keep our schools and communities safe. We will do a number of activities ranging from advocating for common-sense gun laws to hosting clothing drives for domestic violence shelters. 

Sponsor: Andrea_M_Lyons@mcpsmd.org 

The RM Anti-Racist Policy Work Group strives to create a safe and equitable learning environment at Richard Montgomery High School through examination of policies and procedures. 

We examine current policies, identify inequities, and work with administration to address them. 

Sponsor: Amanda_M_Trivers@mcpsmd.org 

A youth-led initiative that partners with the U.S. Fund for UNICEF to educate, advocate and fundraise to support UNICEF's lifesaving work. We talk about a wide range of humanitarian issues and work to create a better future for children. 

1. Raise awareness about important humanitarian issues 

2. Host a wide range of events such as fundraisers, bake sales, and other fun events to help children 

3. We advocate and educate for the rights of children and help them reach their full potential 

Sponsor: Lisa_J_MacFarlane@mcpsmd.org