To better educate students on how to advocate for themselves politically such as in the upcoming mid-term elections in fall, junior Cordi Leung, plans to establish the Correspondence Club at the start of the next school year.
“In the really long October break of this year I went to New England and saw the one building in Connecticut where they have all their representatives,” Leung said. “Then I became really interested in the process of people having their voice in politics.”
However, Leung isn’t just interested in the voices of government representatives, he also wants to help students find and exercise their own voice in politics through his Correspondence Club.
“A lot of Americans feel like they don’t have their interests represented in politics, but they don’t know how to properly tell them what they want,” Leung said. “I think it should be easier for people to express themselves in politics.
The club, while having a focus on the humanities aspect of politics, could be useful to all students because of the global impact politics has.
“Anyone who is interested in learning something new and is passionate or willing to explore the realm of communicating with representatives and public leaders is welcome to the club,” junior Serena Jiwa, a potential officer in the club, said.
Correspondence Club will give interested students the information and tools on how to get into contact with their representatives and express their concerns or beliefs.
“The average meeting will be both teaching people how to write letters, emails or call their representatives and what to figure out or know before contacting them.” Leung said.
It isn’t just speaking remotely, though. Another goal of Correspondence Club is also to update members on local politics and to actively engage in person.
“[One] way to learn more about the city’s action is by attending City Council Meetings,” Jiwa said. “We will probably be attending, and will be actively encouraging club members to do so as well if they are interested.”
Right now though, the biggest roadblock for the Correspondence Club isn’t finding potential members, it’s the search for a sponsor that can help run the club.
“Many humanities teachers already have [a club] so I don’t know if we will be able to find one, but as long as they are interested, no matter the subject, we’d be happy to have them,” Leung said.
So, while Correspondence Club is still a work in progress, the club has potential in providing a unique and educational experience to those interested in politics or activism.
“I believe that the idea of empowering the youth to speak up about their ideas and communicating with people in power can create a large impact on not just people in the club, but also our city as a whole,” Jiwa said. “These impacts can be carried on throughout and be useful to our future members for the rest of their lives.”
