Important Dates
Scoop Meeting
Our next meeting will be on December 22, 2009 in Mrs. Gautier's room (209) until 3:15. If you have any questions, please see Mrs. Gautier or Justin Kiefer.
Merry Christmas!
We would like to wish all of you a happy and safe holiday. May all of your days be merry and bright!
Belvidere's New Clubs
by Rebecca CarneySaturday, November 28 2009
Alexis
Mattei, along with Melissa Williams, got the idea for the Diversity
Club when
Alexis visited another school and saw their program. She became very
interested
in this and thought it was a perfect fit for Belvidere’s predominately
white
school. Most
students do not know of the
numerous cultures around the world, and even of their own ethnic
backgrounds. Therefore,
it is this club’s goal to educate students in a fun yet informative way
of the
world around them.
Both
chairpersons of the club, Alexis and Melissa, already have many
projects in
mind. For example,
they want to have a
picnic in the spring and have everyone bring food from their own
culture to
share. Also, the idea of a cultural fashion show has been talked about.
Throughout
the year, they plan to visit inner-city schools and see what life is
like
outside of our small town. They then want to share this knowledge and
open-mindedness
with the student body. This kind of club is long overdue in Belvidere.
The
other new club is called STAND (Students Taking Action Now Darfur!) and
is
recognized nationally and internationally; its “motto” is to STAND up
against
genocide. STAND is a student-led division of the Genocide Intervention
Network. It was
started by college
students in 2003 when the genocide in
STAND does
three things; it educates, advocates and fundraises. Fundraising
benefits the
Civilian Protection Program in Darfur which helps protect the people,
and gives
them food and shelter. We also want to educate schools and communities
of what
is going on in Darfur, as well as Burma (Myanmar) and the Democratic
Republic
of the Congo where genocides are occurring too. Advocacy comes from
students
reaching out to elected officials and demanding them to take
responsibility and
action. I started this club to help fulfill these three causes at
Belvidere. I
heard about it when I went to the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Program
in the
summer of my sophomore year. I believe that something like STAND is
essential
to any school. While educating others about what is going on in the
world, it
also takes action by fundraising and talking to officials.
I have
so many plans for this year, and students in STAND contribute ideas
immensely. For
example, STAND will be hosting an Open Mic Night where anyone can enjoy
live
music and poetry readings in a low-key setting. Admission is $3.00,
which
benefits Darfur, and there will be an opportunity to “Pledge2Protect”
against
genocide. I
strongly encourage everyone
to come. For this year, I also want to hold a benefit concert, possibly
with a
local band, and would really like Congressman Donald Payne to share his
experiences in Darfur with the whole school.
Alexis
and I have worked very hard to place these clubs in Belvidere. We have so many ideas, and
the members of the
clubs do as well. However, we still need more people to get things
done. STAND
and Diversity always welcome and encourage new members to attend. They
both
meet on the second and fourth Tuesdays of every month in the library.
So come,
educate yourself, and help two very good causes. If not for the sake of
those
you are helping, then for yourself; to learn in an ever changing,
culturally
diverse, world.