So, how important are clubs, really? Are they just for fun?

Not so, as reported in Best Colleges Online.com. “Many high school students think the only thing colleges care about is that you make good grades and earn a high GPA. However, grades and SAT/ACT test scores are not the only factors colleges take into consideration. While it is certainly important to excel academically in high school, a good many admissions staffers pay close attention to how well-rounded a student is, something that is partially determined through the types of extracurricular activities, such as sports and clubs, he or she chooses to participate in outside the classroom.”
Being a part of clubs at CCA also shows college admissions teams what sorts of activities and subject areas you are interested in. Clubs can help you get involved and meet more people, while you participate in an activity you enjoy. Director of clubs and activities, Mr. Joe Wilson, says “it’s important for teens to join clubs so they can surround themselves with people like them that have the same interests, and will encourage them in their walk with the Lord.” But too much of a good thing is not good for you. Don’t be involved in every club there is. The thing to do is to choose wisely. Find your niche.

On November 3, 2009, The Washington Post published a survey, where they asked numerous college admissions directors whether they look for passion or a well-roundedness when it comes to high school extracurricular activities. Angel B. Perez, Director of Admissions for Pitzer College in California, said  “Many students feel that they have to compile a very long list of activities in order to get into college, but as I read applications, I look for trends and more importantly, passion. You can tell when a student has joined 15 clubs and organizations in high school just to make the extra curricular page of the college application look long. Colleges are more interested in the students passion, the authenticity of the students involvement, and the impact they’ve had in their communities, teams, or organizations. Sometimes that means they’ve only done one or two things, but they’ve been involved in a way that has fundamentally impacted those organizations. That to me, is more important than being involved in 20 clubs and not having
impacted any.”

Clubs have started at CCA and some are already running; there are many new additions to the list such as American Sign Language and Creative Writing. Mrs. Maritza Gomez, leader of the Creative Writing club, says that “There are many students who don’t know that they are writers. High School is all about discovery…who you are and what talents God has given you. If you like to tell stories, whether it’s fiction or non-fiction, screen writing or playwriting, then you should join the Creative Writing club. Like any other creative field, writing can be a lonely process at times. A writers group is a good place for like-minded creative people who need the support and encouragement of
one another.”

Mrs. Gomez says that if you are passionate about something, that’s because God has placed that desire in your heart. “Don’t ignore it,” she said. “He placed it there for a good reason and you should do something with it.”

So, if you have fervor for something and would like to start your own club, find a teacher to sponsor you and make a change in your school. Senior, Tabitha Sanchez, leader of the Tri-M Music Honors Society said, “I believe that students should get involved in clubs because they help us develop leadership skills, promote services, and use the talents that God has given us.”  So, what are you waiting for? Join a club!

We have been called to step up.  And for some CCA students that call is evident around this time of year, when student elections take place.  Just in case you are thinking, I am not a leader, I don’t know how to be a leader, Only popular kids win a school election, anyway… think again. For one thing, you absolutely can’t win if you don’t try. For another, be real, be confident and positive in what you believe in; and above all, be a servant.

To lead one must serve first. Jesus shows us this example in John 13:1-7 when He washes His disciple’s feet. Your classmates are looking for those great leaders who are willing to humble themselves to serve CCA as a class representative. So, for those who are thinking of running for student council this year, here are some quick tips:

• Strive to be a servant, a peer, and not a politician who oftentimes promises much and does nothing, expecting instant gratification and status quo.  Instead, be aware of what voters want. Ask them. Listen to them.
• Talk about real issues and what you plan to do for the school.
• Don’t promise something you can’t deliver.
• Show that you care by serving in a specific area that you are passionate about.
• Pray about your role as a student council member. Ask God to show you ways in which you can make a difference and then use that as your basis for your speech.

Requirements for student representatives are more vigorous this year. Specifications such as having higher than a 3.0 grade average and obtaining pastor and teacher recommendations are required. To know more specifications and requirements for student council, talk to Mr. Steve Mayo, Mrs. Laura Quinn or Mr. Aaron Mills. They have election packets with the information necessary to run for student government.

New changes are being implemented into the student council system this year in hopes to improve the organization and bring clarity to the positions. Each grade will have a team of four chosen to be on the leadership teams. This is the group that will have a President and Vice president. In addition to the Leadership teams, the Juniors and Seniors have a special opportunity to run for another committee, called the Activities Council. This will be an additional team of four and they will be in communication with administration to coordinate and plan school events.

“If you have an order of hierarchy, communications go a lot better. It’s not that we want to exclude people because we want everybody involved,” says Mrs. Quinn. “ “When there is an event we want lots of volunteers and class participation.”

The new system is designed so that even unelected students that have a heart to lead and serve can still be a part of organizing and heading up events. No matter what your position with your class is this year, there is always an option to help. Elected or unelected, you are a necessity to your grade.

Jesus is the epitome of a leader and we are called to be like Him. Follow your leader in a role of leadership. You have been called.

Geeks In Training is what we’re called. A team consisted of juniors, Michael Arcello, Jordan Farinas, and myself. Head computer teacher, Jeff Greene, leads the GIT team. We traverse all around campus fixing problematic computers, and resolving technical issues. Why exactly do we have, or need, a GIT team? Mr. Greene has all the answers.

Why do we have a GIT team?
JG: The GITS program exists to offer experience for students with an interest and aptitude in technology, and to provide opportunities for servant- hearted students to support the staff and school at CCA. We have GITS because we are called to make disciples!  Just like we have students very gifted in the arts, academic pursuits, or athletics, we also are blessed with students who demonstrate a remarkable understanding and appetite for all things technological.  They love serving the family of God, and have considerable skill in operating and understanding technological tools.

Who do the GITs help?
JG: The GITS help anyone who uses the computer network and hardware at CCA.  This means teachers, students, and volunteers all benefit from what these young men do.  Consider the teacher focused on giving his/her students all they have in a well thought out lesson plan or activity, only to find that the computer/projector interface or web connections are not working as intended.  GITS to the rescue! Aside from CCA, their success can also help free our CCFL support team to focus on bigger and more complex issues.

How long have we had GIT?
JG: The concept of GITS started five years ago.  It became apparent that we have many students with technical bents and a desire to learn, grow, and serve in the field.  The program has expanded to allow us to offer students real world experience working on the CCFL/CCA network and machines taking a bite out of the load our HELP team bears.  This year we had the idea to expand the program and advance the opportunities we offer students to match that of real world technical support.

What exactly do the GITs do?
JG: LOTS of things! Re-image corrupted computers, rebuild or fix broken computers, setup network connectivity and install applications, and basically, many of the operations you can think of when it comes to our fleet of PC’s at CCA.  We are blessed with a computer network that is unparalleled in most Christian schools.  It requires a lot of manpower to keep it going optimally.

Will we continue the GIT service in coming years?
JG: I sure hope so.  We’ve had several students build skills that have increased their marketability and opened doors of opportunity for them as an extension of CCA that might not have happened otherwise. This past summer, one of our team was hired fulltime by the CCFL IT department due to the knowledge and skills he had developed over his previous year in tech support at CCA.  I’d love to see the program grow, as it bolsters our mission statement very specifically, and equips a special group of young folks to develop their skills in a much-needed field.

Our world is rapidly turning more and more electronic. The opportunity to troubleshoot and fix computers in a work environment such as CCA is invaluable for one going into the office-oriented world. If you are interested in becoming a GIT in the future, we encourage you to call Mr. Greene at 954-095-5100. If technology is your passion, you’ll have a blast!

McCullough’s speech was greatly inspirational, as he spoke about his beginnings as a writer, and the process of constructing his works. McCullough said that he was inspired to begin writing after listening to a speech of a very famous author named Thornton Wilder when he was in college. Wilder said that he writes things that have never been written before because he wants to read it for his own enjoyment. This is the way McCullough chooses his subjects. For example, he wanted to know more about John Adams and Harry Truman, so he wrote about them. McCullough stressed to students the importance of learning. He said, “The library system in the U.S. is a miracle. No other country has such a massive database that we all have free access to. A person could receive an entire education on their own for free, if they went to the library everyday and read the right things. Young people need to realize this and they need to have a passion for learning. The more you learn, the more curious you become, and the more you want to learn about other things. That’s what happened to me.” McCullough’s first book was written on the Johnston flood in Pennsylvania that happened in 1889. He said he wrote this book because he knew nothing on the subject, and every book on it that he read were “not very good.” So he wrote about it by doing extensive research.

David McCullough is so successful because of his dedication to history and his subjects. He never misses a single detail, thus all his works are extremely long. For example, Truman is nearly 1200 pages. He said everything he writes is based on research. He never adds “filler” information to dramatize the events. Every research he gathers comes straight from official records, or directly from the subject’s diaries or writings. This why so many people rely on McCullough for accuracy. He offered a word of encouragement to young people regarding school. He said, “Don’t let anyone ever tell you that your good at math and science, but stay away from the English stuff. Or vice versa. If you want to write, do it. You can only get better with practice.”

McCullough is known as the “citizen chronicler” of our time. He is a true inspirational figure who cares deeply for our generation and the importance of history and writing.

Photo by MAC

Wake up, get dressed, eat breakfast, drive to school, stay at school for 8 hours, get dressed for work, go to work for 3 hours, go home, eat dinner, study, sleep. Repeat. This is the lifestyle of many CCA students who have a part time job, but how do they do it? How can you handle school, a job, extra activities, friends and studying? Well first you have to see if a job is right for you at this time. Maybe you are in a sport, or are taking a bunch of difficult classes. You have to make time if you want a job.

If you said yes to most or all, you might be ready for a job. Having a job and being in school helps you with time management, commitment, responsibility, and handling money.
A job is a huge commitment. You have to cut back on activities, and socializing. If you are ready for that then maybe a job IS right for you. Schoolwork should always be your number one priority though. Studying, homework, and assignments. If you see your grades go down, and your time doing homework lowers while having a job then you might have to cut back on your hours at your job. It’s fun to make money and having more responsibility, but you have to remember your number one priority.

A job is a big responsibility. I think it’s easier to manage a job over the summer, or you can even work on just weekends and breaks. When you are picking a job you have to think about what you would like to do, and see if you can picture yourself either at a food place, like Chick Fil A, or at a store at the mall. Dedicate a day to getting applications, ask a bunch of store managers if they are hiring. Some places have online applications, but it is better to go into the store and show them your putting forth the effort, and even show your face. Take the applications home and pray about which ones to apply for. Remember the five questions from earlier when making your decision. If it’s meant to be, God will follow through.

Currently, CCA’s secondary school has 14 active clubs. They are: NHS, Drama, Chemistry, Art & Design, Asian, Booster, Communications, FIGHT (Fighting Injustice and Giving Hope for Tomorrow, formerly known as Edifice), Film, Florida Expeditions, Math, Photography, Spanish, and Tri-M Music Honor Society. Of these, Asian, Drama, and FIGHT clubs seem to be the most student favor.

When asked why the clubs were decided to be included into CCA again, Dr. Eric Wormsly stated, “The mission statement is to make disciples of students academically, spiritually, and socially.  This fits perfectly into the socially mission.”

While CCA clubs are providing students with opportunities to socialize with other students who share their same passions,  while building up their resumes for
colleges, students shouldn’t get involved in something just becuase they think it will look good on their college application. It’s pretty easy to tell when you’re not dedicated to something. So, be real with your self and with others. Before you join a club, think about what you’re interested in. For example, do you have a career goal? If you want to be a filmmaker, then joining the Film Club would be a good idea.

If you want to get involved with any given  club, check out the Club list (printed version of our news magazine) and then speak to one of the Student Council
Advisory Board members, also listed.

With an overwhelming heart for the helpless, Isabela and several others of the club have hopes of reversing the inhuman Indian system that views the Dalits or “Untouchables” as unclean and worthless. With a goal of raising 40,000 dollars to build a Dalit Education Center in India that will serve as a preventative to Dalit child labor and temple prostitution, members are raising both money and awareness by selling fair-trade chocolate and organic cotton t-shirts to CCA students daily.

The Dalit Freedom Network (DFN) advocates are also anticipating the two major events of this 2009-2010 school year. Academy Award nominee short film, “Kavi,” will be showing in the CCFL theatre on May 15, at 8pm and Head of Dalit Education Centers, Kumar Swamy, will be speaking as well. Soon after, on May 23, at 5pm, the movie “Call and Response” will be playing at Rocketown, in Pompano Beach.

President of Edifice, sophomore David Brown, hopes that students and families alike will walk away from these movies with a better understanding of the severity of this issue. He comments, “I pray that they will see that these are real people and not something to joke about.”

Admission for both of these events is free and all are encouraged to come out and be exposed to the astonishing truths of human trafficking and, more importantly, pray about getting involved.

CCA has added many new clubs, one of the most intriguing being “The Higher Thinking Club.” The club members meet every other Wednesday in Doctor Wormsley’s room and just pick a topic to talk about. From aliens and ghosts to demons and time travel, no subject is too obscure. In fact, it’s welcome.

So how did this club come to be? “Have you ever had a discussion with someone that was really philosophical or just really out there, and after you just think ‘wow that was a really good conversation?” asked club leader Doctor Wormsley. Now, CCA has a host spot for conversations like that on a bi-weekly basis.

“I joined the Higher Thinking Club in order to quench my desire to take part in an environment where students could discuss and debate topics spanning from the scientific to the supernatural world,” explains CCA Junior Jacob Kaufman. He seems to be one of the most curious students and is very into this club. After being asked about the most interesting topic they have discussed he replies, “Well, that would have to be our discussion on the supernatural (demons, ghosts, ect.).” This club gives students a place to talk about things teachers wouldn’t normally talk about in their classes, and helps give out information on not just school-related topics. Through this club, students have learned to think outside the box.

Life would be boring, to say the least, if all people thought of things as they saw them instead of how they came to be, how they work, and where they came from. Essentially, where would we be without thinking? This club provides us the tools to help us go deeper than just scratching the surface of the world around us.

Last Saturday, “Florida Ex” took its place among the line of new clubs as debatably the most active and set a precedence for many outings to come.

An early morning start at eight separated the “wheat from the chaff,” so to speak, and the attending members honed flashy new t-shirts along sunny coasts to participate in Coastal Clean Up Day. After doing their part, it was time to take a close-up look at what their efforts were fighting to preserve. Seven kayaks slipped into the brackish waterway, immersing students and chaperons alike in the endangered exquisiteness of a place unhampered by the developed world just beyond the mangroves.

Founding member, Meghan Mason, senior, shares her goal for the trip: “We wanted to start the club off on the right foot by influencing the environment in a positive way, as well as enjoy God’s creation by kayaking and hanging out at the beach.” The result was no less than exactly that, and as Florida Ex looks forward to creating future opportunities for more students to join in, the hope of finding a harmony and appreciation of nature is well on its way.

High school science teacher, Doctor Eric Wormsley will be in charge of overseeing the new clubs and activities for the 2009-2010 school year. As the head of the Photography Club and Astronomy Club, Wormsley has had lots of experience dealing with the intricacies of CCA student life. He says, “Clubs remain as an epicenter for students to enrich their lives and hold as a focal point for friendships that last a lifetime.  CCA opening the door for such a wide range of clubs is not a mere luxury, it is a necessary guide for students to find themselves and focus their careers as they enter college.”

Some of the new clubs this year include the Florida Expeditions Club, where members will embark on hiking, snorkeling and other outdoor activities, the Spanish Club, where students will learn to appreciate the beauty of Hispanic cultures, and the Chess Club, where students will get the chance to improve their game.  Returning veteran clubs include Edifice, an outreach and ministry centered group, National Honor Society, and the Photography Club.

If you don’t know exactly what you are interested in, sign up for a couple clubs anyway—you just might discover one of the talents God has given you. So whether you enjoy running, bowling, politics, or foreign languages, there is a club for you! Although some had their first meeting last week, it is not too late to sign up! Please email Dr. Wormsley at Ericw@ccaeagles.org for more information on how to get connected!