Through debate, conversation and community involvement, the Political Activism Club aims to provide a safe space for politically minded students to express their interests.
According to club president Patrick Kemp, “Political Activism Club is a space for people of all viewpoints to come and discuss politics, debate politics, play games and get active in politics.”
For other members, they hope to expand students pre-determined opinions.
“Hearing other people’s thoughts and opinions on things can really help your own mindset grow,” junior Katie Shapella said.
Creating a safe space for students to express their opinions is one of the main goals of the club.
“It’s very important to be able to share your opinions in school,” Shapella said, “and learn about other people’s opinions.”
Shapella looks forward to meeting new people with different opinions.
“I feel like everyone who comes here will be respectful and excited to be here,” Shapella said, “even if it’s different from the person saying right next to them,”
It can be difficult for some students to find places to express their political opinions and engage in political conversations.
“It’s great for students to have an outlet,” Political Activism Club advisor Amanda Gale said, “about really anything, but especially politics, because so many kids at this age are engaged.”
“There wasn’t a space for politics in school,” Kemp said, “there are kids who are passionate about this, like me, and they deserve a space.”
Kemp hopes to get out into the community and let people know that there are kids in Souderton who care about politics.
According to Gale, there is a “minority of students” who want to be active in politics.
“Younger people have the lowest voter turnout, the lowest level of engagement,” Gale said. “I love any group, any club that wants to try to change that.”
“There are kids who, even though they can’t vote, are interested in politics, and they want to get in the system,” Kemp said.
In the club, students plan to do a variety of politically driven activities.
The club will be doing passion projects, debates, mock Congress, voter drives and many other activities.
“I think stuff like this is great just for your civic involvement,” Gale said. “A lot of this is public speaking and being able to communicate effectively.”
Educating students is also one of the club’s main goals.
“I think some kids just are kind of tapped out of the political cycle because it’s so negative,” Kemp said. “I think it’s so crucial to stay educated.”
“I think that the best thing you can do as a student is to be kind of open to learning other things, open to understanding things that you don’t,” Gale said.
According to Gale, after the Senator for a Day program, students “wished” they could continue to engage in political activities.
“It started when [AP Government teacher Jessica] Muller and I took a group of students to the Senator for a Day program,” Gale said.