By Luke Graeber
It’s an unarguable fact that school clubs are an important part of student life. They help students learn new skills, make friends, and explore their interests outside of regular classes. Still, many clubs don’t have enough money to do the things they want to do. Some clubs get support, while others are left behind. Every club should get funding so all students have the same chance to grow, and previously underfunded clubs have the opportunity to expand and reach their full potential.
Truly, club funding directly corresponds to opportunity. Opportunity for students to interact with their fascinations, and opportunity to build community. The wealth of a person’s available choices correlates with their quality of life. Why wouldn’t we want to invest in this?
Sophomore Paul Van Haetsdale believes “all clubs should be funded because it creates equal opportunities for clubs to grow and make the school a better place.”
Beyond allowing for community building outside of the classroom environment, clubs nourish a student’s drive to pursue their interests. Nowhere else on campus do students have the ability to truly organize something based on their own ideas. Yes, certain school projects are based on student passions, yet with clubs the initial push comes from the students themselves.
In addition, participants are creating their own environment and structure as they interact with each other. To fulfill their objectives a club’s students will have to manage and direct themselves. Ultimately, this sense of independence which comes with a lack of structure is a life skill.
The impact of increased funding on pushing for greater student participation in the club system is another benefit, notes sophomore Sadie Kilbury who said that, “funding clubs can help students become more persuaded to join clubs and would help enhance the experience all together”.
Clearly, a priority of the budget should be the backing of these institutes that tell students to embrace their passions; these groups that lend a sense of community; the bodies that push for the development of leadership and initiative amongst students; and the organizations which are key to inclusion at IHS. Simply put, supporting clubs means the schools can create better opportunities for students to grow, have fun, and prepare for the future.
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