By: Amelia Passer
Imagine starting off the day expressively dancing in abstract formations, followed by a group political discussion on Ronald Reagan, and topped off with a Pokémon battle served with a Japanese beverage. Some may find this concept hard to grasp, but to others, this is just an average day at Oak Grove High School. Three not-so-typical clubs recently at Oak Grove High School are Otaku, Tea Party, and Interpretive Dance Clubs.
Otaku Club
Club Otaku is a celebration of Japanese culture, specifically Anime, Manga, and other video games. The club was founded last year by Kristin Zumbro, a senior, and Ashley Hicks, who graduated last year.
Zumbro said she decided to form the club after discovering she and Hicks had so many common interests but had never met before.
“After Ashley and I became friends, we knew there had to be more students who shared common interest,” Zumbro said.
And they were right. Last year, the club finished off the year with an impressive 60 members. Who could blame them? With an agenda of card battles, food, movies, and Super Smash Brothers, why not join?
Zumbro hopes that after she graduates, the club will stay active. “I hope to find an underclassman as passionate about the culture as I am,” she said. “Hopefully I can find someone well qualified to take my position once I graduate.”
Meetings for Club Otaku are the third Friday of every month at 3:40 in Mrs. Donohue’s room.
Tea Party Club
The Tea Party Club was added to the Oak Grove family this year, and despite popular belief, they neither drink blood nor tea. This club was founded by junior Jacob Creel and sophomore Hunter Schutze. They wanted to incorporate an all conservative political party for high school students to come and discuss shared interests. Even though the school has a Young Republicans Club, Creel said he didn’t think the club was completely conservative. Turns out, students agree. The club has thus far obtained 22 members and counting. This year, the students plan to start an annual golf ball drop, and the person who catches it will get an endorsement for Congressional elections. The club will also be making
t-shirts. “Our main platform is to find a candidate who basically mirrors the principals of Ronald Reagan. We just want to keep America old school,” Jacob Creel said. To join the Party come to meetings on the first Thursday every month at 7:45 in Mrs. Whitecotton’s room.
Interpretive Dance Club
Another to join the atypical bunch is the Interpretive Dance Club founded by juniors Darby Burghard and Melody Burton. The club was formed for students who wish to express themselves through movement and enhance their creativity. “It’s not just about dancing,” president Burghard said. “It’s how you feel – your emotion. It’s the dance of life.” So far the group has 11 members but hopes to increase soon. Burghard hopes that in the future, the misconception towards the club will disperse. “People somehow think the club is just a joke. I really wish people were more serious about the club. They’re just intolerant. Shame on them,” she said. “Creativity is vital for human growth.”
Unlike other dance clubs at Oak Grove, The Interpretive Dance Club is primarily for expressing one’s self. “The DDR club is great for traditional dancing, but it limits movement, while we [the club] embrace it.”
To sign up, see Darby Burghard or Melody Burton. Meetings are the first Thursday of every month in Mrs. Donohue’s room.
If you’d like to become more involved in the school, try a unique experience and check out one of these new clubs. They’d love to see you there.
