Adults always tell high school students “it looks good to be involved,” and most people would agree. It’s great to have a variety of clubs and activities cleanly lined up on a résumé. However, that’s not the sole reason students, especially freshmen and sophomores, should be active within high school. Joining these clubs and activities allows students to meet more people, establish more relationships, and hopefully make new friends. For freshman and new students, it can be a bit difficult knowing where to start when trying to make new friends. Luckily, joining fun and interactive clubs is the perfect way to start.
Like many high schools in Lincoln, LNE is home to this type of club— Kaleidoscope Club. The first question people usually ask when they hear about it is, “What’s Kaleidoscope Club?” The purpose of this club is very simple; according to Ashley Howard, one of LNE’s Kaleidoscope Club leaders, “It’s a place for students to have fun, share their stories, and learn principles to help them live life to the fullest.” It was formed as a way to develop a connection between local high schools by caring and investing more into each school’s students.
After hearing about, and later joining, this group, I wondered why it was named “Kaleidoscope Club”. It seems very random and often causes people to question its purpose. Ashley mentioned, “The name came from the idea that although we are all diverse and have very different stories, when we all come together, it can make something beautiful and unique.”
Kaleidoscope Club meets at 2:05 on Tuesdays in room 138. Joining a club that meets on Tuesdays can be a lot more convenient for busy students. Because the club starts at about 2 pm, it ends around 3 pm. This means students are able to do what they need to do after school as if it was a regular school day. At the beginning of club, snacks are provided and students are able to spend time talking to each other for a while. Eventually, the group gets together to play whatever game the leaders have planned. Some of the common icebreaker games include “Mafia”, “Where the Big Wind Blows”, and “Catch Phrase”; they often last around 20-30 minutes. The last 5-10 minutes are usually reserved for discussions about cultural issues, hot topics, TED talks, character development, and more.
The three current leaders at Northeast—Ashley Howard, Aaron Cornwell, and Kristian Cornwell—make it their job to create a lively atmosphere. Throughout the duration of the club, laughter and smiles are continuously exchanged. The leaders act as great role models to students by encouraging others to have fun and be nice at the same time, instead of making others laugh at the expense of someone else. They are also sure to include everyone whether that be in a discussion, a game, or a conversation about someone’s day. When asked what their favorite part of Kaleidoscope Club is, Aaron responded, “The best part of Kaleidoscope is seeing everyone’s individuality and unique personalities. People are really cool, and it’s nice to see students be themselves in a safe and fun environment.” Ashley also included her favorite part about the club. “The camaraderie we can all share despite different backgrounds, talents, and passions. We may all have very different ways we view life, but we can still bridge our differences by finding common ground with anyone.”
