As Etowah High School students enter the second month of the 2023-2024 school year, many are finally settling back into their daily routines; however, Etowah itself is still experiencing some changes. With a multitude of new clubs created just this year, Etowah is encouraging all its students to branch out and find themselves a new home within the school halls.
Laika Olwana, junior, started the Black Student Union to create a club that is open to any and all members looking to celebrate diversity at Etowah. Though the club focuses on African American themes and Black students’ unification on campus, the club welcomes all grade levels and races, as the union strives to develop positive racial relations and promote mutual respect between every student. They participate in a multitude of social events and discussions with the hopes of making a difference at Etowah for all those who have ever felt unwelcomed.
“After witnessing other institutions, I was captivated by the potential of establishing a club that would cultivate a welcoming space for all students. Conversations with other African Americans at Etowah led me to see how much this sense of belonging could benefit the campus as a whole,” Olwana said.
With over 40 dresses already collected, Becca’s Closet is certainly making an impact at Etowah. Julia Longatti, junior, began Becca’s Closet to gather donations from those with old homecoming and prom dresses with the hopes of donating them to students who would not otherwise be able to afford them. After watching the club’s similar success at North Cobb High School, Longatti felt that they could truly make an impact at Etowah as well.
“I am looking forward to donating as many dresses as possible to the girls and boys at Etowah, and I hope that Becca’s Closet will continue to thrive for years to come,” Longatti said.
The Eagle’s Service Connection (ESC) is a perfect club for those looking to expand their community service and involvement around Etowah. Though ESC has just begun, Hayden Raffield, junior and club founder, has already established partnerships with local organizations in order to offer members a multitude of service opportunities throughout the year. Some of their big upcoming projects include events with Habitat for Humanity, community cleanups with Keep Cherokee Beautiful, and support for domestic violence shelters.
“The purpose of ESC is to foster a spirit of service while building character and real-world skills for students. We’re looking forward to growing our partnership network and executing more initiatives that allow Etowah students to give back,” Raffield said.
For students aspiring to one day lead America, senior Anvita Rautray founded the Future Business Leaders of America Club with the sole purpose of helping students to cultivate their business skills in whatever field they desire. Each member is a part of a committee that aids in their quest towards gaining these skills and prepares them for competitions with other chapters of the club across the country. The club welcomes all that are passionate about business and leadership, and the current members are already gearing up for their upcoming conferences.
“We started this chapter in hopes of providing an alternative to students, as our school does not offer any business courses. For this year, as it is our first year, there is a lot of uncertainties to work around, but we hope to attend conferences this year and set a foundation for this chapter to be successful for many years,” Rautray said.
If one is looking to join clubs to branch out, serve the community, or simply build up a stellar resume for college applications, Etowah High School certainly has many opportunities to do so, and they can all be found here.
