Clubs spawn as an effort to be more inclusive, and their presidential openings wait to be filled by students who can balance both their schoolwork and the responsibility that comes with leadership.
Each club is entirely student-run; meetings, scheduled appointments, and social gatherings are all under the control of an appointed student – the club president – and their board. At the very least, tending to the position requires organization, but in requiring high demands, a club president not only benefits their board, but themselves as well. Hope Club president Elle Neri states that through fulfilling her role as president, not only has it pushed her into being more orderly, but also into growing as a person.
“Being the head of a club means that I have to schedule and organize my things better – it’s all just planning,” Neri said. “I’m in the process of becoming a better leader still, but I know I’m making progress.”
Taking charge of a school club leads to acquiring various life skills – the most obvious being leadership. For some, taking on the role is their first taste of leadership, but some feel they are natural born leaders; others are all too familiar with the position, having worked it off campus. Interact Club president Grace Choi states she is one of the many who have had outside experience.
“I grew up being a leader – leader for the children’s praise at my church, and I volunteer at the Downey Regional Hospital.” Choi said. “It came easy to me because I’m used to things like this.”
Regardless, leaders assume their positions with reason; of course, not everything will go smoothly. Glamour Gals president Priscila Coronado took her position up last year, when, after a rocky start, the former president resigned, Coronado had to pick up her presidency where the previous one had left off, which in itself was a challenge. To make matters more complicated, she already had – and has – a packed schedule.
“My sophomore year, the leader was having a bad year and had to leave. No one else wanted to step up, so I did,” Coronado said. “Since this isn’t the only thing I have going on – I have marching band and other things, too – yeah, the club can interfere.”
Through juggling homework and appointing meetings, stress is endured, but some argue it is worth the struggle if only for the skills gained.
“I’d recommend this to others because you find something within you that you didn’t know you had and how much you can handle as far as leadership goes,” Neri said.
A club president demonstrates the extent of their own responsibility in between managing both themselves and taking part in affecting the lives of others, and that is bound to lead them to the right path.
