Clubs play an important role in social interaction, under quarantine it is difficult for both the advisor and student to do their job as club members this year. One of the frequently asked questions during this time is, how are clubs going to successfully do their job during virtual school?

Puma Pals is a very hands-on club that depends on student interaction, and has been meeting once a week on Google Meet: “Puma Pals is all virtual for the time being. Right now we’re moving along with the application process and getting to know you activities through Google Classroom,” club president for Puma Pals, senior Carlie Indilicato states.

Although some clubs allow kids to meet to the extent of their personal preference, “Everyone in the club will be matched in a one to one friendship and then they are welcome to meet in person at their own comfort level,” Incilicato reveals.

Students have mixed emotions about the drastic changes. Everything is very confusing for newcomers who want to join clubs, “I don’t know how to get into clubs this year with COVID,” sophomore Sydney Park states.

As club leaders, students have to keep a positive attitude to portray a good school year, “I think that COVID will challenge clubs to find creative ways to go about reaching their goals. It will probably be difficult for most,” senior Ellie Butler said, a member of several clubs including Teenage Republican club.

The school board has decided that we will not go back to school until October 13, 2020; although, clubs and fall sports have the exception with the requirement of face masks and very minimal contact. Many clubs have used this opportunity to conduct safe interactions as a way to collect shirts, fundraiser supplies, and flyers.

A lot of pressure is on to create a fun environment for all students in clubs. Operation Smiles has successfully done this by doing, “an amazing job of keeping it alive…, we are able to contact each other and work as a club through Google Classroom,” sophomore Maddisyn Jolley describes. 

To maintain a more “normal and comfortable” environment, Indilicato has decided to continue “matching a one to one friendship and then they are welcome to meet on their own.” 

Club members have thought of this as a good learning experience, as Butler takes this chance to have the students understand the new changes, “members will be more prepared for the future and ready for change,” Butler states

The school board has been trying to normalize the problems by still having the in person activities: by having clubs interact on their own personal comfort level. The Link Crew decided to hand out shirts with the exception of a drive by and wearing masks which created a good suitable environment for both the advisors and students.