Whenever the next graduating class steps into DGS for their introduction during Mad Dash, they’re encouraged to participate in all sorts of clubs and activities that DGS has to offer. It’s part of our motto, to be respectful, responsible, and engaged because it’s the Mustang Way. With over 50 clubs and activities happening around DGS, there isn’t a shortage of ways to be engaged with the DGS community.
As these students grow and mature, they’re able to either run for or apply for a student leader position in most of the clubs offered at DGS. This opens a door for students to exercise and develop their leadership skills while also providing teachers with insight on how students view participation in clubs and what changes they want to see be made.
While no two clubs operate the same, they usually apply the same structure to their student leadership ladder. At the very top, there’s the president. they’re usually in charge of the other officers and work more closely with the students and club sponsors.
Politics club is one of the clubs which operates under this style of leadership. With Senior Salvio Benoy taking charge as the student club President, he’s been able to help lead discussions and confer with the faculty advisors to assist in the clubs’ growth.
Benoy also described how seeing former President Obama’s speeches helped push him to adopt a leadership role at DGS.
“When I was 5, I was able to see President Obama’s re-election debate, and I know this sounds cliche but I’ve been compelled to [become] a president, and what better way to do so than to start small,” Benoy said.
Mrs. Culcasi, the faculty advisor for Politics Club, explained why she feels that having students lead the clubs is the right way to go.
“I think that in general, having student clubs should include student leadership and having that direction be led by the students. I’ve worked with many amazing students in Politics club throughout the years and they’ve always brought good energy and new ideas to the group,” Culcasi said.
For some of the larger clubs they also include secretaries to help with basic paperwork and announcements. Other clubs such as KEY club, which focuses on volunteer service, also employ various other officer roles such as treasurers to help cover the wide range of tasks which need to be done.
Junior Lyia Zhang, the secretary for the DGS Chapter of KEY Club, explained how much responsibility a leadership position such as hers entails.
“As the secretary I create the hour logs for key club members. I also contact people outside of our school who are willing to give us opportunities for our student volunteers to work a little more,” Zhang said.
Zhang also provided more details as to how taking leadership in KEY Club not only allowed her to help others, but gave her more opportunities to give back.
“In Key club our main goal is to help others so my ability to contact those outside the school helps me gain new opportunities to volunteer,” Zhang said.
Junior Sarah Gerges-Rodriguez said that as the treasurer she not only keeps track of the club’s finances but also helps with getting new members ready for their club’s activities.
“I usually manage the money and keep track of new members as well as help prepare the meetings,” Gerges-Rodriguez said.
There are also a number of clubs which utilize different student leadership structures. One of those clubs is the Asian Student Union, a club which promotes Asian Culture. ASU operates with a leadership board, where there are no set positions such as President or Secretary.
Juniors Diya Alex and Shania Azarcon are a part of ASU’s leadership board and took some time to explain how students contribute to how the meeting operates and how students are able to help share their cultures and develop a nurturing community.
Alex explained how she felt about being a part of a leadership board and how it helps everyone get a chance to lead.
“We plan meetings and I guess everyone has a role in this so everyone just kinda takes responsibilities and we kinda switch around and everyone has a chance to lead,” Alex said.
Mr. Vetri, the club sponsor for ASU explained how their student leadership committee was formed.
“ People ran for an election where we have 8 leadership positions available, the top 8 were voted as our leadership committee,” Vetri said.
Vetri also talked about how having students in leadership positions help clubs grow and get an accurate representation of what students want.
“We have about 2 meetings per month so taking on that leadership and having a finger on that pulse to see what our club members want to participate in,” Vetri said.
