Yolani Baron (284)

Central has a proud tradition of offering challenging classes and achieving high scores on standardized tests. Going beyond the classroom, students are applying their knowledge and career goals as a way to connect with peers in an educational and rewarding environment. In the past few months, four science-related clubs formed to achieve the common goal of interest, understanding, and initiative. 

One of these new clubs is Future Nurses at Central (FNAC), organized by Amalia Wijaya (284) and Georgia Morris (284). The students created the club based on the same ideals taught at a Jefferson healthcare program this past summer, saying, “There weren’t any healthcare clubs, and we realized students should get the same experience we had.” FNAC plans to host a CPR certification training with the University of Pennsylvania, a college workshop on pathways into medical school, and potential hospital shadowing. The club’s sponsor, Mr. Sheikh, brings constant support, and even offered to lend his old textbooks for members to use. Amalia shares, “Our end goal is for people to figure out what they want in a career. It’s intimidating, especially in the vast fields of healthcare alone. We encourage people to join to have fun gaining exposure into a field they hopefully fall in love with.” 

Another healthcare group is the Red Cross club, led by co-presidents Lola Senesombath (284) and Hannah Oh (284). Their club was founded on the mission of the American Red Cross–to prevent and alleviate human suffering by mobilizing the power of volunteers and donors. At Central, the cabinet works on ​CPR training, blood, food, and clothing drives, card making, and more. Lola promises that the club “is going to decide events to host, as the Red Cross requires all Red Cross Clubs to carry out at least three service projects pertaining to their mission.” Near the end of the last school year, Hannah came to Lola with the idea of the club, one dedicated to fundraising for and volunteering with the American Red Cross. They both loved the idea as it encompassed what they wanted in a biomedical club that could also impact our society alongside the American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania Region. As the club collaborates with the Red Cross, all meetings and events count as community service. Their main goal is for members to practice humanitarianism and altruism to carry throughout their community.

General science research club FuSSO, Future Science Scholar Organization, is also a branch of a non-profit organization. FuSSO launched to help students conduct research, work on graphic designing, and perform in STEM competitions, all based in Shanghai, China. The President, Zhaoru Wu (284), gained approval from FuSSO’s founder, Feier Xu, to create a partnered club at Central. Instead of developing a rigorous research club, Zhaoru states, “I want a club where students can have fun with a subject they’re passionate about.” FuSSO recently hosted a successful Q&A session with the new math teacher, Mr. Zhang. They delved into his life at Drexel, studying as a STEM major, and how his degree brought him to Central. Additionally, Zhaoru shares how “the cabinet is working on a bimonthly magazine to educate our community on science accomplishments and current events from an international scale to connect with students, members or not” to keep the community engaged and well-informed. 

Kathleen Shovlin (284) and Bianca Bellacosa (284), President and Vice President of Girls STEM Coalition, formed their club after inspiration from various STEM alliances, “specifically, the Penn Society of Women Engineers, a student group that empowers women to achieve their full potential as engineering leaders.” Their cabinet plans to host an advice session where gender-minority students from local universities connect with Central students to teach them about the available pathways to their desired field. In addition to working with university students, they plan to visit elementary and middle schools and provide tutoring in hopes of encouraging younger generations to pursue an education in STEM. Their meetings aim to create a collaborative community where Central students can counteract the historical exclusion of non-men from the STEM field. 

These clubs plan to collaborate on future science-related events, volunteer work, and community service opportunities. Make sure to check out the clubs and their Google Classrooms throughout the year!