For most SUA students, ideas for a new club usually linger in the mind for a while but don’t ever really come to fruition. However, a few students each year come up with a great idea and are determined enough to see it through. It’s not like getting a club approved is simple or easy; it requires a passion that extends past the first round of brainstorming. A passion like that of the co-officers of the biology club, Josie Buendia ‘19 and Elizabeth Schwartz ‘19: “We started the club because we wanted to share our passion for biology and science with others with the same interest.”

Most of these student pioneers begin by recognizing a niche present in the St. Ursula community and take it upon themselves to fill it with something constructive and widely beneficial. Reagan Knabe ‘20 and Lindsey Weber ‘20 were both members of SUAT freshman year, but decided to start a club with a more specific focus on their main interest. Reagan says, “I was immediately fascinated with the idea of drones. So I pestered Mr. King for a few months and became very involved with the unofficial drone club that was last year. Towards the end of that year, after a few other members and myself expressed interest in taking this to the next level, so then with some planning and official forms we had made the club official.” Regardless of whether an idea is entirely original or a simply an adaptation, the clubs and organizations at SUA create positive and nurturing environments for students tailored to their interests.

The club approval process is meant to give student-entrepreneurs a little taste of of the difficulties that come with running a club. Students must collect 20 signatures from their peers and fill out paperwork for Dr. Thomas, Asst. Principal for Student Affairs. They must also find a faculty member moderator and establish student officers for the club. Dr. Thomas admits that “it is really hard for student leaders to think about creative activities that will keep others interested and engaged throughout the year.”

Despite the difficulty of the process, a lot of the fear in new officers is more concerned on what happens after the club’s initial approval. There’s a lot of doubt as to whether the club will survive its opening year and spread. Caroline McCarthy ‘20, co-officer of the Self-Defense club with Kellie Hannan ’20 and Stephanie Ahrnsen ‘20, says that they are “still facing some difficulties learning the ropes of running a club.” She adds that “there is no book with tips on guidelines about starting a club, but we learn new things through each club meeting.”

It may seem as though starting a club is only for the uber organized and master planners when in reality, clubs are designed to be for everyone motivated enough to follow through. Anna Detzel ‘20 of the Needle-Felting club says, “I think [clubs are] a good way of expressing yourself and it really helps other people to express themselves too.” So if you have an opportunity to create a community for you and your fellow SUA sisters, take it. From the new STEMinists club, co-officer Ariel Yoshitomi-Grey ‘20 comments, “Putting yourself out there to start a club is scary, but in the long run, it will help the SUA community and you.”

While starting a club is a big commitment, seeing your idea in action is beyond rewarding. Brittany Shine ‘18 and Lauren Talbot ‘18 of the Ultimate Frisbee Club agree: “ If you are passionate about it, this is apparent to those around you and there is an unparalleled feeling of accomplishment seeing your hard work pay off and the passion you have to be shared with others.”

To any other students considering starting a club, co-officer of the Dungeons and Dragons club and lover of all things magical, Mina Adinehzadeh ‘20, has a bit of advice: “Never give up and don’t stop loving unicorns and rainbows.”

Here’s a complete list of the new clubs this year with their respective moderators:

Biology: Ms. Broo

B.F.F. (Best Foot Forward): Ms. Kramer

Drone Club: Mr. King

Dungeons and Dragons: Mr. Hacker

Needle-Felting: Ms. Balz

Self-Defense: Ms. Perry

STEMinists: Ms. Depoe

Ultimate Frisbee: Mr. Vogel

Check out the 2017 course booklet here: SUA Co-Curricular Booklet