On Tuesday, September 30th, students of the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School (ALHCS) took out approximately two hours from their busy schedules to decide which clubs they would like to join, as an extra-curricular asset to their academic and social development. “Club Rush”, as the event was dubbed, took place in the school’s cafeteria at lunch time.
During this period, many students found interest in registering at the several club stalls which lined the hall, to become members of the clubs of their choosing.
One of the coordinators of Club Rush was Teacher Andy Matthew. He also functioned as a DJ of sorts, controlling the accompaniment of live steel-pan music interspersed by his instructions that guided students to the various club choices. He took time out, against the backdrop of vibrant pan tunes to share with The Anguillian:
“To be honest, this is quite impressive,” he exclaimed. “I did not even envision it turning out this great. Now we see that the event is quite successful. The incentive here is to get students to join a club or clubs of their choosing, that would serve to enhance their future lives.”
“It is important for each student to be part of a club,” he observed, “because they would be participating in something that is positive, helping them to develop more socially and intellectually.”
As I moved from stall to stall, I spoke to the many club representatives, students who were proud to call the various clubs their own.
My first contact was with Kishanece Edwards who represents the Literacy Debating Society. “I’ve been in the Debating Club for the past two years,” Kishanece said. “In my first year, I was the Club’s PRO, and this year I have become President of the Club. This Club is quite effective for students’ personal development. It is an exciting avenue for expressing one’s point of view and it is a platform for giving vent to one’s feelings on any subject. I love it, and I hoped to see the club thrive and grow in the future.”
She said that she had travelled to St. Maarten earlier this year where she participated with other regional students in a debating event there.
I stopped at the Environmental Club stall and spoke with its Coordinator, Joselyn Theophile-Richardson. “I have been the Club’s Coordinator for over twenty years,” she said, “so a number of students who were past members of this club have passed through my hands.”
“Many of these former students are in environmental fields in our society today,” she noted. “Some of these include Terrestrial and Wetlands Conservation Officer, Clarissa Lloyd, as well as Research Assistant at the Anguilla National Trust, Devon Carter. In addition, our newly crowned Miss Anguilla, Jasmin Ruan, was also a keen member of the ALHCS Environmental Club.”
“This club nurtures students and plays an important part in encouraging them to care for the environment. The Environmental Club makes sure that its student members conserve nature,” she said, “without which we can’t survive.”
At the Cricket Club stall there was no student rep in charge, per se, but manning the stall was cricket coach William Bourne. He already had a modest number of names on his list. Many boys, as well as girls, had registered to become outstanding players in the popular sport of cricket.
“This is the Blue Dolphins Cricket Club” he told me. “This club started in the school about two years ago, as I recognized that there are a lot of opportunities in the sport, not only in the Caribbean region, but also globally. In particular, if a girl can play this sport proficiently in Anguilla, then goes on to play on the Leeward Islands team, there is no telling what she can do in the international arena. She can even make cricket her career.”
He said that practice sessions take place at the Webster Park every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon from 3:00 to 4:30.
I visited the Volley Ball Club stall, where the President Jason Liburd was standing with a few of his players. “We started an academy programme about four years ago, where we provide training for high school students on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 3:00 to 4:39 at the Campus B Auditorium.
“Our practice sessions proved to be quite effective and successful, for of out them we were able to create an Under-23 male team and an Under-23 female team over the past couple years.”
He said that over the years the teams have travelled to the Dominican Republic, Dominica, the BVI, and St. Kitts for tournaments. He said he would encourage all students to give the sport of volley ball a try. “It is a very fun-filled and rewarding sport,” he affirmed.
At the Drama Club I met with the President, Indira Thompson. “Welcome to the Impressive Edge Drama Club,” she said with a tone of enthusiasm. “I am Indira Thompson, an actor in this impressive, beneficial club. I have been a member of this club since 2nd Form, so that’s about four years, basically.”
“I am appealing to all students who think that they have expressive characters to join us. If you like to show you feelings, this club will provide a channel for you to do so, while having fun and entertaining others. And, if you are a student who tends to be somewhat shy, this club is for you too. You can also join us and we will help bring out your hidden confidence.”
Indira said she loves to express herself and she loves the Drama Club because it provides her with a channel for release and expression. “I was not always able to express myself,” she said, “but the club has helped me to open up and show the audience what I love to do.”
She said the club has staged multiple plays, and they have done promotions for HIV and healthy life-styles.
According to Deputy Principal, Sherry Marcia Hodge, the school has a total of seventeen registered clubs. In sharing her comments with The Anguillian, she emphasized the need for the students to develop wholesome attitudes of rendering service to the community, honing their characters with discipline, and contributing towards national security.
Ms. Hodge said that school clubs provide a means of grooming the students’ mind and launching them into positive directions as worthwhile, valued citizens.
“In general,” she said, “Club Rush is an invaluable part of the School Improvement Initiative. It is our aim to improve our school culture and climate. Besides, we believe that if students are engaged in extra-curricular activities, such as the ones that the clubs provide, they would be more inclined to cope with life’s situations and learn profitable leadership skills.”