When the clock strikes 3:20 p.m., the final bell dismisses everyone and the school day is complete. Backpacks are packed, doors are locked and buses drive out of the parking lot. The day might be over, but there is more that brings DGS to life.

After school ends for the day, throughout the quiet halls there are sparks of life from cultural and religious clubs that bring feelings of community.

Scattered classrooms on every floor are bursting with energy and excitement. In the community room, the Asian Student Union folds sheets of colored paper into origami while eating flavorful samosas. Upstairs in D270, the Eastern European Student Union is conversing in Polish while passing around a crisp pierogi.

In room A110, Black Student Union watches a memorable performance from the Royalty step team. Latino Student Union in C265 playing a game of Lotería and eating empanadas.

In the library, Muslim Student Association decorates a banner for Ramadan to spread awareness. The Base in the staff lounge listens to a guest speaker that motivates students to apply faith in all aspects of life.

Most of the school is empty, but those few filled classrooms of students celebrating their culture fills the school with comfort. It is not a moment about getting an A or meeting a deadline, but a moment to feel understood and seen.

Director of student activities Jennifer Martinez approves and manages all the clubs at DGS.

“Culture and faith-based clubs contribute to the mission of belonging here at DGS because it gives students an opportunity to connect with parts of their identity or things they care about in our campus to connect to the larger community, while also inviting others to come in and participate,” Martinez said.

Each club has its own story: how it started, who and what it represents and how it provides a space for students wanting to belong.

Students enjoying their last meeting with food for the school year of 2022-2023 (Photo Courtesy of Deangelo Gerald)

BSU formerly known as Umoja, a Swahili word that means unity. The club was established by dean Sheldon Davis, aiming to provide a welcoming space for all students to discuss community issues and personal struggles, which recently transformed into Black Student Union.

The club’s current sponsor dean D’Angelo Gerald was inspired to sponsor the club by the need to maintain its positive impact and community involvement. They have gotten to take part in board meetings and form messages that pass to the community.

“It may feel like only people from that specific culture can be a part of that culture club, but I feel like what drives it even more is welcoming students from outside those cultures, because you have to go through life with getting different perspectives and not seeing the world in a singular way. It teaches you how to start addressing real world problems in a smaller environment where the stakes might not be as high and preparing so that once they leave these walls, they can do the same things in the bigger world,” Gerald said.

BSU’s first president senior London Lee shares her experience.

“We want everyone to show integrity, lift each other up, and help make it a space where everyone feels included. We encourage our members to volunteer, talk through their emotions and show up for one another. When people see that, it spreads and helps make the school a more positive and caring place overall,” Lee said.

Lee described what stood out to her about BSU, and how it left a lasting impact on her.

“One of my favorite moments was at the beginning of the year when we all sat down to talk about our goals for the club because everyone’s voice mattered, and we made sure every opinion was heard. It made me realize how much we value each other and how important it is to have a space where everyone feels seen. That moment made me really appreciate BSU,” Lee said.

Gerald is driven by the student’s desire for a meaningful place to gather and support one another.

“My favorite meeting was when each student invited a teacher to our meeting that really encouraged them and brought positivity towards being at school, and they had no idea why they were invited. And then, we went in a circle while each student got to share about why they invited them and what made that teacher so special. The smiles from the teachers and students that day, the vibe in that room was perfect,” Gerald said.

The Base listening to guest speaker to uplift them to do better in school (Photo courtesy of Julia Hodgson)

The mission of The Base is to provide students the help within the school to find a safe community and strengthen their faith in all aspects. It is a community within the school for students to bond and create friendships that uplift everyone around them.

Board Member senior Julia Hodgson has been an avid member for her third year describing how she feels that it is harder to advertise and communicate what activities they partake in as a club due to their religious affiliation, but the teachers and administrators continue to help them with hosting events by providing them a space for guest speakers and giving them a chance to promote their club at mustang fury.

“Being the first Christian group at DGS, getting it on track was difficult. However, with the increase of Christians in this generation, running this club felt important. We still have to make our place and prove ourselves, but once we began this club after overcoming the difficulties, we haven’t looked back ever since,” Hodgson said.

These spaces that provide the school with connection and belonging long after the bell rings is the epitome of the motto ‘You belong here’ at DGS. Each door opens into chatter in different languages, scent of food lingering in the space and different music filling the air.

These extracurricular activities are more than just regular club meetings. They represent that cultures can connect people together even in a place that may not traditionally be meant for it.

“You want the phrase ‘You belong here’, whether it’s on a t-shirt or on the wall, you want it to be more than a slogan, and you want it to be a real feeling,” Martinez said.