Lakota West’s new club continuation forms were made apparent in late April of the 25-26 school year. All advisers for each club were sent a document that they and their club participants had to fill out regarding the continuation of their club for the 26-27 school year. This is new for Lakota West, and it has many students wondering what the purpose is.
The form included multiple questions on what the club was and how it benefited Lakota West. Then it had a place to list all the after-school events/places the club visits, along with any sponsors of the club. Finally, the form required 25 signatures of people who supported the club, which most clubs don’t have.
A meeting was then set up with the Assistant Athletic Director, Luke Cornele, and the Student Club Advisory Board. As a leader of the West Press, I attended the meeting, along with Saniya Taylor, Gertie Hutchinson, and Soni Chitnis. They began by asking us what our club was and how we benefit the school. We described how news writing is not seen anywhere else at Lakota West, how journalism ties into broadcasting, how we are required to create products for the club/class, etc. We also attend many after-school activities, including all sports games, Real World 101 Day at the Freshmen campus, and club fairs. The meeting was brief, lasting roughly 10 minutes.
The form had many students wondering about the purpose and why they would have to prove that their club was worthy enough to continue next school year. The directors stated in the meeting that there was nothing to be worried about, but when the form stated that this would determine if your club could continue into the 26-27 school year, it is understandable where all the stress came from.
The true purpose is not the actual continuation, though. It is now understood that the school wants to take into more consideration what clubs are larger than others and who might need school sponsorship. As of right now, no clubs are funded by the school, not even HOSA, and Lakota West wants to change that for years to come.
Hopefully, no clubs will actually be cut off, but maybe some that need larger support, like the West Press, HOSA, and SAAB, will be funded with extra money and overall, benefit the school more than they already are.
