Ever since the 2020 Covid quarantine, the politics club has been closed due to a low population of participants. This year, the club is back with many students ready to share their political opinion.
Politics club began in 2015, when Daniel Shuman, one of South’s counselors, was still teaching AP Gov. Two students, Alexander Hurtado and Daniel Muncaster, came up to him after class and asked to begin politics club; and so Politics club came to be.
The club covers many different topics revolving, well, around politics.
“We talk about current events. We talk about different government institutions, and we debate the rules and interpretations of the Constitution and the way the different systems are [put] in place in our current world,” said Shuman.
Students comment about what they can gain from the club.
“Being educated on politics is one of the most beneficial things you can do. It doesn’t allow people to manipulate your opinions,” said junior Kayla Ochotorena.
There are many notes of knowledge one can take away from politics club.
“One might learn how to be more aware of rhetoric choices and being able to communicate about difficult, challenging topics that different people might have different opinions on in a respectful way, and in a way that is not combative, but a way that helps people understand various perspectives on complicated issues, [which] is truly the heart of the club,” said Shuman.
To some, politics club can also be a new experience that they want to try out.
“I thought that it was something cool to do, and hopefully it could show that people can have a conversation normally, and that people don’t just go and do stupid stuff immediately,” said sophomore Brennen Dooley.
Shuman shares some goals for the club, hoping it can truly prosper.
“We really want people to better understand the various perspectives, and develop their own beliefs, from hearing all of the speech and discussion that better solidify how they feel about something. We never endorse one side or the other in this club,” said Shuman.
Shuman hopes that he and the students participating will be as respectful as possible in this club.
“We don’t ever go after someone personally [or] attack somebody’s character, personality or anything like that. There’s no put downs.I think that it will help people generally just understand what respectful discussion and communication looks like,” said Shuman.
Students in politics club are excited to see how this year will progress.
“So far it’s really fun. I’d like to continue in the future. Maybe we could try to expand it in some way, shape, or form,” said Dooley.
The club doesn’t have a set schedule, but they plan to meet once every month in room 419. They will put up flyers announcing so about a week prior to each meeting.
