Yorba Linda High School has so much to offer–the Culinary and Business Academy pathways. If not that, then there’s a multitude of sports. If not that, then there’s AP and Honors classes. But what comes after that? Does high school simply consist of the core classes, day after day? Or course not. There will always be clubs.

Students have the opportunity to view what clubs are offered once in first semester and once in second semester. There’s dozens of options and a varying amount of skillsets, so they are almost guaranteed to find a club that fits. From sports to art to education to community, groups of students have all gathered together to make something they’re passionate about happen and present it to YLHS to find others just as passionate. This is what makes clubs so important for students; they provide a space where people can open up and embrace their interests, and find those that share them. “

Taylor Phelps (S), a Spanish teacher and club advisor, comments that clubs in school are incredibly important because they are all about community and they provide important spaces for diversity to be learned about and celebrated. School campuses have clubs for all different kinds of students with differing identities and goals, whether they be for academic purposes or social purposes.” 

Phelps’ role in the YLHS club system is overseeing student clubs to help make them a reality. One such club is HOSA, Future Health Professionals. The club focuses on academic steps students should take in order to become a healthcare professional. This is just one example of the diverse clubs that are on campus–not all of them are artsy or creative. Clubs are a tool that can help guide students forward in the future they want for themselves. 

Phelps states that she wants to “promote leadership and creativity among our student body, [and] allowing student club presidents to control their vision for their clubs accomplishes this!” A perfect example of one of these club presidents would be senior Zoe Turner, who is president of not one, not two, but three clubs on campus. 

The Money Project and Black Student Union are all under Turner’s presidency, while the new Step it Out line dancing club is run by co-presidents Turner and Tina Chen. The Money Project uses interactive lessons and games to teach high schoolers the fundamentals of money, credit, debt management, and so forth. Black Student Union creates community in and out of school by learning about and appreciating Black culture history. The newer club of Turner’s resume is Step It Out, a fun club that teaches students different line dances.

Turner admits that “in the beginning, it was a little bit difficult (but manageable) when it came to figuring out the logistics and completing the club charter, but it was 1000% worth it. I was motivated by seeing my vision come to life and being able to share one of my passions and interests with others!” 

A board member of the Black Student Union, Jaden Pool (12), has a hand in planning meetings and remarks that joining a club in general is beneficial for students “if they want to interact with people and get to know them and learn something new.” 

In fact, it’s been a common consensus that joining a club is important in a student’s high school career. Turner points out that joining a club is “a chance to try something new and have another interest and hobby that can continue to develop long after high school.” 

It is clear that clubs have a big impact on the YLHS campus. They provide community, friendship, creative outlets, and academic opportunities, and it is obvious that all the data points to clubs being beneficial. 

So why wait? What’s holding you back from joining that one club? Why miss out on the Costco club when you could learn about your favorite wholesaler while eating delicious pizza? Why skip the opportunity to learn first aid by not joining the American Red Cross? Why hold back on your untapped dancing abilities by passing up the Step It Out club? 

Clubs are a place where you won;t get judged or scrutinized for something you don’t know, because you’re all in the same boat. So don’t be afraid to step into that boat. Take a chance, because that’s what high school is for. Your future self will thank you.