How Clubs Shaped My Galloway Experience
It’s hard to believe that I will be graduating in less than a month and that this will potentially be the last piece I write for the Galloway Newspaper, The Elliott. After spending a total of five years at Galloway, there are a couple things that I’ll miss. I’ll miss most of my teachers and the administration for supporting me throughout my entire Galloway experience, the friendships I’ve made, and the independence the school has granted me. However, a big part that I’ll miss about the school is the freedom it allowed me to create clubs around the subjects I’m passionate about.
Throughout my time at Galloway, I was able to join and eventually lead my own clubs.
During my freshman through junior years, I was able to be a member of the Minority Empowerment Club, Smash Club, and Tea Club. Minority Empowerment is a club where all minority groups (racial, ethnic, gendered, religious, etc.) are discussed, whether it be about the problems/ discrimination a group is facing or learning about their customs that are culturally/ holiday related. Smash Club is where the club plays the Nintendo video game: Super Smash Bros. The club isn’t limited to only playing Super Smash Bros; however it’s the most favored game. Finally, Tea Club is where the club makes tea, drinks tea, and “spills tea” *gossip*.
I initially joined these clubs because they seemed fun and because some might look good for my college transcript. However, a lot of these clubs became a place where I can be a part of important conversations and a community. For my more laid back clubs (Smash and Tea Club), I found myself able to relieve stress and connect with my friends over something we all enjoy— video games and tea. The Minority Empowerment club taught me about different cultures and ethnicities, customs and also the problems each group faces. This club allowed me to hold important conversations and also hear other people's perspectives; enabling me to build off of other people’s ideas.
For my senior year, I became the president of the Tea Club and created my own club, Hair Talk. This gave me the freedom to create an environment that acts as a safe space for people using my own methods. It was an amazing experience being able to decide club activities and get materials that would aid the club. I found myself excited to buy new teas and teapots in hopes that my club would be excited to use them. I was also excited to bring in my mannequin so that members of Hair Talk would be able to experiment and practice hair styles. Aside from activities, I was the most excited to bring together a community where people felt comfortable to talk about anything.
The clubs at Galloway create multiple communities where people can participate in something they’re eager about, enjoy, or curious about. This is a way Galloway has been able to effectively promote diversity; they allow for all students to not only pursue but also promote something they care about. The freedom Galloway granted us to go up to town hall and make club announcements or hold bake sales in support of a cause we care about is something that I’ve enjoyed the most about Galloway.
Though I will miss a lot of my teachers and friends and the school store, the clubs I was able to participate in will leave the biggest impact on me looking back at my experience here at Galloway. Clubs aided me in making friends, taught me about important causes, and even helped me find something I was passionate about. Now that I’m heading for college, I will be able to carry the experiences I’ve made with me.
By Kayla Beasley