Green Atoms

At our school, most clubs are centered on academics, sports, or social events.

Green Atoms stands out because it focuses on something that affects everyone. As the environmental club at our high school, it has become a place for students who want to help the environment while also taking action.

“What inspired me to do Green Atoms was more so my friends who encouraged me to do it since I wasn’t planning to do anything for senior year. An environmental issue that matters to me the most is that AI is using up our fresh water, which is kinda crazy to me,” senior Genesis Zepeda y Zepeda said.

The purpose of Green Atoms is to make our high school a more environmentally friendly place while also bringing awareness to larger environmental problems. Members want students to understand how the things they do every day connect to bigger issues, like climate change and pollution.

At the beginning of the year, the members come together to decide which projects to focus on. “The main mission of Green Atoms is to protect the environment, specifically the school environment while also encouraging those around us to do so. We split our focus into five areas: finance, nutrition, construction, produce, pollination, and waste management, so we can work efficiently and communicate between teams,” Zepeda y Zepeda said.

One of the club’s most visible initiatives has been improving the school’s recycling practices. By adjusting the labeling of bins, Green Atoms has clarified what can and cannot be recycled.

“A campaign that I think has made an impact is our recycling days. We don’t often think much about recycling, and this gives students the chance to make a difference. Even if it’s minimal, it helps our custodial staff and improves the school environment,” Zepeda y Zepeda said.

In addition to recycling, the club encourages practices like using re-usable items, conserving energy in classrooms, and considering the environmental impact of school events. Advocating for change can be challenging, as some people may not believe that individual actions matter. Green Atoms addresses this by focusing on education and working closely with teachers and staff to make ideas practical.

Above all, Green Atoms hopes students feel a stronger sense of responsibility toward the environment. Environmental issues can seem abstract in textbooks or on social media, but bringing the conversation into hallways and classrooms makes it feel immediate and relevant.

“What I hope students take away from Green Atoms is that there are ways to get involved with the community, even if it feels hard. This club offers a great opportunity to explore different areas of environmental work,” Zepeda y Zepeda said.

Green Atoms is open to all students. No prior knowledge of environmental science is required. The club seeks participation, interest, and ideas to contribute to the group.

As seniors graduate and underclassmen shape their own high school experience, clubs like Green Atoms help define who we are as a community. They encourage students to think beyond themselves and consider the world they are about to enter.

Girl Up

There are some problems that can be easily overlooked if they do not personally touch your life. This is exactly why Girl Up exists, so that people actually take notice of the problems that need to be addressed.

While the main goal of the club is gender equality, it is done in a way that actually makes sense within our own walls. Rather than just talking about problems, Girl Up considers the needs that students require on a day-to-day basis and how the school’s resources are distributed.

The main thing that Girl Up has been able to accomplish is providing sanitary products in the bathrooms at our school. This ensures that students are never caught off guard. Having the products readily available helps students attend school, focus, and feel comfortable with themselves.

“This project made a meaningful impact because it addressed a real need while also starting important conversations about equity and access,” senior Ariel Cabbagestalk noted.

This effort also addresses the broader issue of equity. By considering sanitary care an essential product rather than an optional one, the school sends the message that students’ needs are valid and deserve to be met without embarrassment. This has quietly transformed the way the school approaches the issue.

It is not always easy to initiate conversations about gender equality in high school. Some students may not relate to the issue or even wonder why it is relevant to them. Girl Up approaches this by having open and informative discussions. Students are encouraged to ask questions without feeling judged.

“I was inspired to join Girl Up because I wanted to be part of a space where girls feel empowered, supported, and heard. I’m especially passionate about advocating for equal education opportunities, mental health awareness for girls, and encouraging young women to step into leadership roles with confidence,” Cabbagestalk shared.

The club also works behind the scenes with staff members. Organizing events and maintaining resources requires planning and coordination. This demonstrates that meaningful change often comes from working together rather than one-off gestures.

“The main mission of Girl Up at Annandale High School is to empower young women, promote gender equality, and create a supportive community where students can learn about global and local issues affecting girls,” Cabbagestalk explained.

Students who want to join the organization do not need prior experience with activism or leadership. Girl Up welcomes anyone willing to participate and contribute ideas. Meetings are for discussion, planning, and learning from one another.

“One meaningful project was our feminine hygiene product drive. We collected and distributed essential items like pads and tampons to help support students who may not have consistent access to these products,” Cabbagestalk added.

In addition to helping the school in tangible ways, Girl Up hopes students gain a broader understanding of equality. Gender equity is about more than access to resources; it includes opportunity, representation, and respect.

“ Students can get involved by attending meetings, participating in events, following our social media, or simply showing up to support initiatives,” Cabbagestalk concluded.

In a school with many issues competing for attention, Girl Up makes sure gender equality is not overlooked. Their activities show that building a helpful community starts with noticing needs and taking action.

Humanitarian Awareness Club

The Humanitarian Awareness Club meets to talk about global issues and ways to help. The club focuses on raising awareness and taking part in projects like donations and fundraising. It gives students a chance to support causes they care about.

“What inspired me and my partners to create the Humanitarian Awareness Club was initially the Palestinian and Israeli conflict, which had been going on for many years but was only brought into the public in October 2023,” senior Sarah Khan said.

Each year, the club picks new issues to focus on. They look at what is happening in the world and decide which problems they can help with. The club has worked with local groups like shelters and food banks, and has also helped people affected by natural disasters.

“Even after that, there were multiple cases in countries such as Lebanon, Sudan, and Syria where there was a need to educate people, especially students, about what is happening,” Khan added.

The club also takes time to learn about why problems exist. During meetings, discussions focus on inequalities, resource availability, and challenges that communities face. Students explore how policies and systems affect people’s lives and how individuals can contribute to solutions.

It is not always easy to get people involved. Some may not have much free time, while others may not think that what they contribute will make a difference. The club encourages everyone to help in whatever way they can.

“Students within the club advocated for change in the school by educating and raising awareness among peers who may not have understood the struggles people around the world face just because of their geographical location,” Khan said.

The club does a lot of behind-the-scenes work to plan and organize almost all the activities. Without this work, projects wouldn’t take place even if students want to contribute.

The club helps members see that helping others doesn’t have to be perfect. It’s not always possible to solve all problems, but there is always something that can be done, and the process offers learning opportunities. The club helps students understand issues better and shows that small efforts can add up.

Anybody is allowed to be a part of the Humanitarian Awareness Club. No experience or special skills are required. The only thing needed is a willingness to help and participate in the projects.

“We also hoped to remind students that everyone who is struggling is human, and one’s life shouldn’t be dictated by where they were born,” Khan explained.

Despite hectic schedules, the club provides students an opportunity to make a difference. It teaches that caring is important, but taking action is what truly matters. Members leave with a better understanding of the world and how they can help others.