By Jack Hardman, Staff Writer
As the school year comes to a close, clubs all across River Hill have begun winding down and setting plans for next year. Many are posing for yearbook pictures, hosting banquets, having officer elections, or competing for nationals.
However, some clubs like FBLA aren’t winding down, with nationals over the summer. Junior Dayo Abu said, “It will be a huge time commitment over the summer but we are all getting ready and we’re very excited.”
River Hill is widely known for its FBLA club and for good reason. After sweeping regionals with over 10 winners in different categories, the club knows the trip to nationals is a huge deal. Dayo anticipates that “nationals will be very difficult, but it will be worth it because getting a win at nationals is a big deal for the school and for college applications.” However, FBLA does hold officer elections prior to nationals and it is one of their final meetings before the summer break.
Some clubs, like Model UN, are winding down their school operations but gearing up for summer. Junior Shrihaan Chaudhary stated that “Model UN will have select members attending virtual conferences around the world as a way to avoid the busy schedules that members have over the summer.” Shrihaan is also president of the UNICEF club and he said that “UNICEF will host a fundraising event outside of school.” Shrihaan intends to hold final meetings for many of the clubs he administers before finals adding that “there are a lot of goals I would like to communicate to members in terms of our plans for next year.” Shrihaan also plans to line up speakers for some of next year’s events. Shrihaan wants to invite “speakers from the State Department who can give our members insights into what real diplomacy looks like.” For a club based on international affairs, it would be a boon for members if such ambitions were accomplished.
The RHDA (River Hill Diversity Association), run by Fernando Barker, recently had its end-of-year banquet to celebrate a successful first year. The RHDA has a myriad of cultural clubs including the Hispanic Hawks and fencing club working in tandem to establish a more welcoming environment to people of various cultures and creeds. Fernando celebrated the club’s various speakers including representatives from the county who spoke at RHDA events during the year. He also applauded their successes at HillFest and how many kids and parents demonstrated interest in the club’s mission.
Shrihaan, the internal president of the RHDA, spoke on the RHDA’s summer goal of expanding the idea of the RHDA across the county stating that “great efforts have been made through HCASC to establish diversity associations at every school across the county and my efforts to organize and open those clubs will continue into the summer in order to get them operational by next year.” Prior to the banquet, the RHDA held very elaborate elections with many officer positions being elected but also a number of the positions being appointed. These officers will assist in summer planning, outreach, and fundraising among many other things in order to advance club goals over the summer and next year.
As many school clubs wrap up activities, pick new officers, and plan for the future it is impressive to see that some will continue operations into the summer. FBLA is sure to do well at nationals under the leadership of Mrs. Waters, who is a seasoned veteran of FBLA nationals. With such grand ambitions, we are sure that Model UN and the RHDA will also accomplish their summer goals.