High school is full of life’s most influential and permanent experiences. Everything from school dances to sporting events, lunch break hangouts to homework and late night cram sessions. But it’s the students that shape those experiences for the rest of the class that truly benefit from what these deceptively quick four years have to offer. We talked with Del Norte High School’s ASB Director Allison Basehore and ASB President Barry Yang, and provide an insight into the 33 officially sanctioned active clubs available to students at the school. Whether it brings back memories of a simpler time, or motivation for current or future students, one thing is sure: the effort the students put into these programs is just a fraction of the benefits that they will ultimately leave with upon their departure from Del Norte.
Q&A
with Del Norte ASB Director Allison Basehore
What is your role as ASB director?
I look at myself as a teacher who helps guide leadership students towards creating events on campus to benefit and support Del Norte. I act as a liaison between the administration and the students to maximize the ideas & desires of the kids, while maintaining a safe environment. From my perspective, ASB is the organization that helps to form the events that as adults we look back on and remember. Some of these events include pep rallies, dances like Homecoming and Prom, and Senior Activities/Graduation.
Are you an active mentor of any particular clubs on campus?
I did help spearhead the Nighthawk Nation/ spirit club. However, Nick Nevares, and most importantly the students, have really helped the club to soar. While advisors often act as the mentors to clubs, I am again more of a facilitator. If clubs want to do a fundraiser, have questions about procedures, need help mitigating conflicts, or want to do something off campus it’s my job to help to guide them in the right direction.
What are the five or six most popular clubs?
In my book, popularity is in the eye of the beholder. There are some clubs that boast many members, and some with only a few. So you might ask someone in the Robotics Club what the most “popular” club is on campus and get a very different answer than a student involved in the Red Cross Club. I think what is important about these organizations at Del Norte is that we want everyone to feel like they have a place on campus. There are large, nationally recognized service clubs who run in conjunction with the Kiwanis Club clubs, like Key Club, that focus on community service and philanthropy. There are small interest-based clubs like Badminton, Radical Readers, Strategic Games, or the Computer Programming Clubs that may not have as many members but are equally passionate about their interest. There are also faith-based clubs like the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and political clubs like the Young Republicans that meet to discuss and share their common beliefs and ideas.
How does one go about forming a club on campus?
Students need to print an application online, and fill it out. It has questions like what the purpose of the club is, who and what their advisor and policies are going to be, as well as a section to find at least 10 members. From there the club is approved by ASB and we help them to organize their publicity and events. It is important to note that clubs are part of every campus in Poway Unified, and this year all the ASB directors are working together in conjunction with our district to align procedures and policies at each of our high schools.
What is the most rewarding part about being ASB director? The most challenging?
By far, the most rewarding part of being ASB director at Del Norte is to have watched the spirit and pride in our school grow. Our first year in varsity athletics, we found ourselves being the brunt of some jokes; that mentality doesn’t exist anymore. Just last week I had students coming in and begging for more room in the student section at football games because it is so packed with spirited bodies one can hardly move! It is no longer a struggle to get students and teachers to wear navy and green on Friday, it’s practically status quo. It’s hard to build traditions when there are none, and even harder when there is no example of what was done in the past. I’m proud ASB has helped to change the mentality on campus.
The most challenging part for me is helping students to work through “failures.” Sometimes, despite our best and most wholehearted efforts, stuff happens. In the case of last year, our prom venue we booked 10 months in advance flooded the week before our event and we were faced with solving a very big problem, very quickly. Many times in ASB these failures are rather public for students, and they have their work or decisions criticized without everyone understanding the scope of the situation, and efforts that have taken place. It would be easy for kids to give up and simply walk away, passing the buck for what happened. However, taking ownership and working through these unpleasant situations is where I truly believe the most “real-life” learning takes place.
What do you see as the most impressive thing about DNHS students?
We have amazing kids. I find our students to be warm, humble, philanthropic and polite young men and women. On a grand scale I think they are highly driven and accomplish some pretty amazing things.
If you could give one piece of advice to DNHS students in regards to being involved on campus in any capacity, what would that be?
There is a place for you at Del Norte! Between athletics, academics, music, art, not to mention clubs, there is a way for you to find like-minded people who are looking to connect with you. Come to float building. Go to a drama try-out. Get involved with the music department. Participate in a food drive to help the needy. Just showing up to school ties you to the flock. How much you choose to participate really shapes your whole high school experience and whether it is a positive or negative one.
Please tell us something about you that people may not know.
After five years in Poway Unified, including two years as ASB director at Poway High School, I up and moved to Chicago to teach in Chicago Public Schools. Going from teaching in the highly sought after suburban school district of Poway Unified to inner-city Chicago Public Schools has afforded me some pretty amazing perspective on not only my career, but my life. It was with mixed feelings that I returned to Del Norte as ASB director. Initially I wanted to just be in the classroom, but the challenge of helping to build traditions at a new school really called to me. It turns out that all of the hard work paid off professionally as well as personally; I met my husband, Marc, here at Del Norte.
Q&A
with Del Norte ASB President Barry Yang
What is your role as ASB president?
My role as ASB president is to oversee all ASB events, and insure that things are being completed by a deadline and also help the various commissioners in any way I can. I also work very closely with the ASB Executive Council and we discuss any and all ASB decisions as a team before proceeding.
What is the most rewarding part about being ASB president? The most challenging?
The most rewarding part of being ASB president is the opportunity to work with an amazing group of people every single day. This year’s ASB, also dubbed the “Dream Team,” has been absolutely amazing to work with. Everyone is very engaged and has various ideas they all want to see accomplished. The atmosphere in ASB is very positive and it feels as we’re all one big family. It just an absolutely awesome thing to be able to share such a great experience with some of the greatest people. The most challenging part with being ASB president is probably making sure that everyone’s suggestions and ideas are heard. In a class of 45 leaders, it’s sometimes hard for every person to get his or her point across, but at the end of the day we still manage to hear everyone out and take ideas in consideration.
What is your responsibility to the clubs on campus?
I personally do not directly deal with clubs on campus. Club presidents will approach me with questions, but the majority of the club related things are handled by our 4 amazing club commissioners: Ammar “The Great” Alsaied, Catherine “Katniss” Wintersteen, William Juan, and Hanien Samara. These guys handle everything club related, from approving clubs, to calling interclub council meetings, to collecting club paperwork. They are the rock for all the clubs on campus, and make sure that clubs are organized and running with accordance to school and district policy.
What clubs are you actively involved with?
I am the producer of Del Norte Network, a link leader in Link Crew, and a member of PLUS (peer leaders uniting students).
What are some of the activities clubs put on throughout the year that students look forward to?
The biggest event that clubs put together is Club Carnival which occurs about twice a year. This is when all the different clubs on campus sign up to sell food, drinks, etc. to students during lunch on certain set dates. It’s a huge turn out every year we’ve done it, and the student body loves it because it gives them a chance to buy off campus food. The clubs also love it, as this is one of the biggest events that clubs get the majority of their funds from. Another event that we’ve had annually is the Food Packaging Event put on by KIN club. This event is also one of the biggest events of the year, as lots of Nighthawks flock together to package food for countries in need and also local families in need.
What are your goals this year as ASB president and how do the clubs assist in allowing you to meet those goals?
One of my goals this is to increase student participation and increase school spirit. Clubs play a pivotal part in this goal as they are the main avenues in which the student body can get involved on campus.
Is there a club that is not yet on campus that you would like to see established?
There used to be a fine dining club on campus where club members would just coordinate together and go eat, but after the class of 2013 left that club has died down. I would love to see it get started again.
Does ASB interact with other schools’ ASB clubs?
ASB interacts with other schools’ ASB clubs in a variety of ways. Every month there is a district meeting and the different ASB presidents from the PUSD district high schools talk about the latest things that are happening at their school. We also hosted an ASB convention this year where all the different ASBs from the district met at Del Norte and we shared ideas and what each of our schools does differently. We also keep in contact with other ASBs and will contact each other if we have questions about how another ASB did something.
What are the major events ASB is hosting this school year?
Two of the biggest events that ASB is putting on this year are Homecoming and Prom. In addition to these two events we’re hoping to do something big for Halloween like a haunted house or a zombie run, and various other activities throughout the year for the students. We’re also planning to amp up teacher’s appreciation week this year, and show the teachers and staff the most amount of love they’ve seen yet.
Please tell us something about yourself that people may not know.
I would love to be on a Food Network episode and cook along side with Rachel Ray.
THE CLUBS At Del Norte High School
THE CLUBS
At Del Norte High School
Academic League
Our mission is to give students a creative and engaging way to apply their knowledge outside of the classroom in fun competition settings against other schools in San Diego.
Members: 60-70
Anime Club
Our club’s goal is to create a friendly community that can provide opportunities for members to mingle and make friends with other anime/manga lovers.
Members: 60
BBC
We are a club that meets twice a week to watch and talk about BBC related shows and foster appreciation for foreign television.
Members: 30
Facebook: DNHS BBC Club
Business Club
Our mission is to help members learn the basics of business and entrepreneurship. The club has career planning and preparation with college. We organize workshops with councilors and presentations from small business owners.
Members: 21
Website: www.dnhsbusinessclub.wordpress.com
Cartoon Club
Our mission is to create a forum where fans of animation can come together to watch and discuss various shows and movies from all periods and genres of the medium.
Members: 20
Chess & Strategy Games Club
Our mission is to teach students how to learning problem solving skills while having fun playing strategic games.
Members: 15
Crafts for a Cause
Our mission is to impact our community through the arts. Our club members provide free weekly craft programs for school age children at the 4S Ranch Branch Public Library after school. Through our program, we hope to provide opportunities for the children to unleash their creativity.
Members: 20
Del Norte High School Robotics
Our mission is to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders, by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs that build science, engineering and technology skills, that inspire innovation, and that foster well-rounded life capabilities including self-confidence, communication, and leadership.
Members: 74
Facebook: Del Norte FIRST Robotics Team 3749
Del Norte Key Club
Key Club is an international student-led organization which provides its members with opportunities to provide service, build character and develop leadership.
Members: 150
Website: www.dnhskeyclub.wix.com/site
Del Norte Math Club
Our mission is to expand knowledge and interest about mathematics beyond the scope of a traditional high school environment.
Members: 18
Del Norte Network
Our mission is to capture the spirit and culture of Del Norte on video. We are the standard in Del Norte communications.
Members: 43
Twitter: www.twitter.com/delnortenetwork
Do Something Del Norte: KIN (Kids in Need)
Do Something Del Norte/KIN Club’s mission is to engage DNHS students and the local youth in volunteerism. Our focus is to help “Kids In Need,” both locally and globally.
Members: 180
Drama Club
Our mission is to highlight and foster the talents each person has to offer (both for the stage and off the stage) through the means of a theatrical production.
Members: 45
Ecofuture
Helping to save the planet with little things we do every day.
Members: 32
Website: www.ecofutureinfo.wix.com/delnorteecofuture
Education in Action (EIA)
Education in Action’s purpose since 2009 has been to provide educational help to local children. We provide a free one-on-one tutoring service at the 4S Ranch Branch Public Library on a weekly basis throughout the year.
Members: 75
Future Doctors of America
An organization on campus with the sole purpose of enriching the knowledge of high school students who are either serious or curious about entering the medical field. Our goal is to serve our club members by assisting them in creating their long and short term goals that will ultimately give them a distinct advantage in the future over other aspiring medical students.
Members: 20
Website: www.dnhsfuturedoctors.webs.com
Gay Straight Alliance
Our goal as a club is to promote LGBT awareness on campus as well as provide a safe place for those bullied because of their sexuality or opinion on LGBT issues.
Members: 15
Facebook: Del Norte High School GSA
Give a Little, Give a Lot
Our mission is to assist non-profit organizations and charitable institutions by donating time and/or basic necessities to individuals in need.
Members: 26
Facebook: Give a Little ~ Give a Lot
Liberty in North Korea
Redefining North Korea by focusing on the people while rescuing and providing resettlement support to North Korean refugees and pursuing an end to the North Korean crisis. We promote the revolution by declaring the existence of the crisis and collecting every cent to make the hopeful aspiration a concrete reality.
Members: 28
Link Crew
The purpose of Link Crew is to ensure that all new nighthawks, including freshmen and transfers, feel welcome at Del Norte and to help them be successful in high school.
Members: 110
Model United Nations
Our mission is to promote interest in international relations and related subjects, increases the capacity for students to engage in problem solving, teaches aspects of conflict resolution, research skills, and communication skills, and creates the opportunity to meet new people and make new friends.
Members: 15
Monarch Club
Our mission is to help homeless children attending the Monarch School. Our goal is to create multiple fundraisers to gather supplies the school needs. We will be collecting gift cards, school supplies, and clothes to provide the children at this school the best possible experience.
Members: 20
Facebook: Del Norte Monarch Club
Muslim Student Association
Bringing the Community together. Unionizing Muslims and Non-Muslims.
Members: 32
Facebook: MSA Del Norte
National Honor Society
“To create enthusiasm for scholarship, to stimulate a desire to render service, to promote leadership, and to develop character in the students of secondary schools. National Honor Society also serves to honor exemplary students for their achievements and desires to drive members to achieve more.” – National Honor Society Constitution
Members: 100
Website: www.dnhshonorsociety.blogspot.com
Plot Twist: Improv Comedy
Our mission is to give all of Del Norte’s tired students a mid-week pick-me-up and to train those interested in the art of improv. We want to spread laughter, smiles and quick wit.
Members: 40
PLUS (Peer Leaders Uniting Students)
The PLUS Program (Peer Leaders Uniting Students) was founded out of this necessary fundamental need to feel a sense of belonging to a group identity. The PLUS model seeks to protect, connect and educate kids in an effort to create a culture on campuses and in communities where inclusion is a reality for young people.
Members: 75
Twitter: www.twitter.com/DelNortePLUS
Red Cross Club
Our mission is to spread awareness by volunteering and inspiring others to help the community.
Members: 20
Facebook: Del Norte Red Cross Club
Rugby
To spread the sport of rugby to the students on campus and beyond.
Members: 45-50 members and players
Facebook: Del Norte Rugby Club
Science Alliance
Our mission is to provide student tutors to assist other students with their science class studies, and to provide preparation for Biology, Chemistry, and
Physics Olympiads.
Members: 40+ tutors, 10+ Olympiad members
Smiles For Change
Smiles For Change (SFC) revolves around giving smiles, laughter, gifts and receiving satisfaction, accomplishment, and the fact that you did something good. We give smiles to those who need a little love and laughter in their hectic lives.
Members: 110
Facebook: Smiles For Change (SFC)
Speech and Debate
Our mission is to encourage excellence in expression and oration, sharpen the critical mind, boost confidence, and represent Del Norte at Speech and Debate tournaments across the United States.
Members: 30
The Talon
To inform and entertain the Del Norte community with the latest news on school events, sports, students, and many other topics.
Members: 51
Facebook: The Talon 2013-2014
Writing Help and Tutoring
Our mission is to give Del Norte students not only the help they need to be successful in their writing classes, but also the support they deserve to become better writers and thinkers.
Members: 50