Starting next Mon. Oct 3, the cafeteria will be filled with overwhelming signs, candy, and sales pitches given by club officers that want devoted members to join their clubs.

On this day, and for the four days following it, students will browse each club and sign their name and email to sheets, not knowing what they are getting themselves into. Upperclassmen are seasoned and well informed of the clubs that they desire to join, but on the other hand this can be a crazy experience for freshman and even sophomores.

For the 2011-12 school year, not only are there the approximately 90 clubs like last year, but there are new great additions to the Staples community that all students, upper and underclassmen need to be aware of.

STAND

Co- Presidents Alix Neenan ‘12 and Charlotte Breig ‘12 have brought STAND- Student Anti-Genocide Coalition to Staples as part of their effort to raise awareness about genocide. STAND is the student led division of an organization called United to End Genocide. STAND is different from previous existing clubs at Staples.

“Instead of trying to raise money to further [the] cause…we raise awareness. We may be able to have a million bake sales and raise $500 in a year, and that’s great and all, but if we are able to get a hundred signatures on a petition, or have fifty people call their local congress member’s office to push for a genocide prevention bill, we can get a lot more done,” Neenan said. This inspiration that Neenan and Breig have to share with Staples comes from their junior year research papers that they did on Africa. The idea of getting involved became a priority for both girls. STAND, along with advisor Ms. Gayanillo hopes to get dedicated members that are along for a fun ride, including their convention trip in D.C, planned for April. Watch for this club on Tues Oct 11!

Teen Feminists

With much passion about feminism Kelly Powers ’12 and Hannah Dickinson ’13 have started this club to create an open environment for teenagers to discuss sexism in the U.S, as well as the rest of the world.

“The topic of Feminism is not as popular as is used to be, and one of our goals is to help people realize that women’s rights and sexism is still an issue,” said Dickinson ’13. After seeing girls act less intelligent around boys, and observing sexist comments Dickinson decided it was her job to take action “against the double sword”. Both Dickinson and Powers are taking it step by step they have plans to make a difference in the staples community with Teen Feminists. Watch for their poster board and candy station on Tues Oct 11.

GO PiNK

Julia Sharkey ’13 is bringing a club that’s seen great success in other high schools to Staples. GOPiNK teams up with WAR- Women at Risk, to raise money and awareness for breast cancer. GOPiNK had many plans for the future including teaming up with other schools in the area for exciting events. In the near future though, Sharkey and her team have planned to have a booth downtown to advertise the club on October 22^nd, as well as a bake sale filled with pink goodies on Nov 2. Sharkey wants to share her interest of this terrorizing disease with the Staples community.

“Spreading awareness is so important when it comes to Breast Cancer. I learned this after witnessing my camp friend (the president of GOPiNK in Scarsdale) proudly speak about her knowledge about breast cancer. She felt differently after taking part in this club and I want to feel that I can make a difference as well,” said Sharkey ’13.

GOPiNK will be stationed at Club Rush on Oct 11, but don’t just look for the pink candy that will be on the table; instead, look at the opportunity to make a difference in the Staples community by raising awareness of a disease that affects every community.

Staples students are always bringing new opportunities to the club scene and therefore for all grades it is important to look closely at the club objectives and commitments. Matching clubs to your interests makes the process less stressful and more fun. For every club, old and new, it’s important to join the club not just for the candy prize but also for the desire to join an asset to the Staples community.