Between the assemblies, dances and memories that highlighted this school year, one splinter, the confused tension of Courtwarming week, remains in an otherwise well-sanded piece of wood. Students, teachers and administrators, however, should not neglect or push aside the event. Instead, lessons can be learned and improvements can be made to bring improvement to RBHS. Moving forward, leaders of school can solve or avoid similar situations by the creation of a club for clubs.
Courtwarming week was, simply put, a display of passion, combined with a lack of communication, that caused darting glances and an on-edge atmosphere throughout school. The theme of the week and the dance, Rock Bridge High Society, sparked the creation of individual theme days, one of which being Country Club Attire. Some strongly disapproved of this idea and protested the day; others wholeheartedly supported it.
The problem with the situation was not the expression of opinion that the Country Club Attire theme day failed to represent the student population at RBHS, did not allow for full participation of all students and expressed racist undertones. Nor was the problem the opinion and action of MAC Scholars, the student group that publicized the protest. The issue was the lack of communication between Student Council, the student group that organizes events like Courtwarming week, and MAC Scholars, which caused an unwanted blowback and unintended division.
Encouraging communication between student groups is not new to RBHS. In fact, National Honor Society (NHS) already has a position called Inter Club Organizer, meant to spark communication between students; and an Interclub Council was once part of the school. While its intentions are beneficial, this NHS position has not provided a consistent dialogue between students and leaders.
The club for clubs would be a mandatory meeting — led by students and overseen by school administrators — perhaps weekly or monthly, open to the primary officers of student organizations. In this setting, the most influential students and adults at the school can come together and offer advice and improvement, as well as express praise and celebration for each other. Furthermore, students and administrators could convey concerns and goals for each collection of students and for the school as a whole. Had this type of communication been present before Courtwarming week this year, perhaps the tension caused by differing opinions would have been less severe.
The intention of a club for clubs is not to handcuff student groups or restrict students from expressing their opinion and ideas. But if the bright minds and inspiring student leaders fail to voice their goals with each other, ideas fail to become powerful actions, instead causing disruption and tension similar to this year. If students are able to share visions and hopes for the future, however, the result can be tremendous.
A creation of this club will not solve every problem RBHS students encounter on a daily basis. It won’t prevent gross couples from public displays of affection, and it won’t stop immature students from sprinting down halls while screaming for no reason. It will, however, bring leaders of the school together and create the potential for incredible benefits and improvements. So for next year’s student leaders, when thinking about making RBHS a better school, think about this.