Jared Lang

SHS students get involved

Jared Lang | Highlands Today
Published: September 5, 2012

I have been looking forward to this week at Sebring High School for quite some time. Not because students are only at school for four days -- though I do love that -- but because this week is SHS's Rush Week.

At colleges, Rush Week is usually the time of the year when sororities and fraternities open their doors to new students and accept a fresh class of pledges to join. At Sebring High School, Rush Week is very different.

Rush week began today and will end on Friday. During these three days, Sebring High School's many clubs and associations will reach out to the student body to increase involvement among their members as well as to attract new members. Every single student will have a chance to visit SHS's Smith Center during the week where each club will have a table set up answering questions and even recruiting students.

I believe that Rush Week is one of the most important weeks of the year for Sebring High School students, especially freshmen. High school is a big change from middle school and it is easy to become overwhelmed by all the differences. The best way to orient one's self at a new school is to become involved. Joining a sports team or student club not only introduces students to new friends and opportunities but also helps students feel welcome at their new school.

Clubs participating in Rush Week include, but are not limited to, Student Government, Future Farmers of America, Future Business Leaders of America, National Art Honor Society, Key Club, and Students Against Destructive Decisions. Each of these clubs meets throughout the year and is involved in events at both Sebring High School and in the community. Some of them are student led and all of them promote leadership by having student officers and many opportunities for all participants.

As president of Sebring High School's Student Government, I personally know the importance of involvement in high school. Participating in clubs or teams creates a sense of purpose in students and I truly believe that involved students have an easier time because they actually look forward to waking up every morning and going to school.

Rush Week, however, benefits the clubs as much as it benefits the students. Each organization has a busy year ahead of it and I think I speak for all of them when I say the more members the better. In Student Government we are always telling our members to bring friends to meetings and, especially at the beginning of the year, we need all the help we can get.

Student Government plans and puts on Sebring High School's homecoming, and from the middle of September to the end of October our members are busy making decorations, selling tickets, organizing processionals, and making all the many arrangements required. Each Student Government member we recruit during Rush Week will contribute to SHS's homecoming week with their ideas, resources, and even manual labor.

I am proud to be a student at Sebring High School and events like Rush Week really show how much the staff really cares about their students. By promoting involvement, teachers and other faculty create a true sense of family within the school. When one club or team does something exceptional a feeling of accomplishment is shared by all of Sebring High School and when things don't go so well encouragement is always right around the corner.

Sebring High School's Rush Week is beneficial for all.