The Founding Fathers of Politics Club

With the 2020 election right around the corner, newly legal highschool voters are becoming more politically involved so they can make the best choice possible when the time comes. Teenagers, specifically 18 year olds,  have been intrigued by the numerous political debates and campaigns going on and have found themselves discussing these topics in the new club at MC, Politics Club.  

 Politics Club originated as a group of teenagers interested in the ongoing debates between presidential candidates and the constant problems dividing the country. As the current Politics Club officers followed the political stories, they wondered if other high school students may be doing the same thing and would like to discuss it. 

With that, seniors, Redford Hudson, Gaurav Chintamneedi, and Peter Nguyen formed their club and combined it with senior Sarah Kadous’s already existing “more liberal version of politics club,” Social Justice Club to create one of the most popular clubs at MC.

Every Wednesday at lunch, students wanting to become well-informed in U.S. politics convene in Ms. Ellsworth’s room, K6, to discuss the political ongoings around the country and on campus. 

A new topic is provided each week by the club officers to keep the conversation fresh and interesting. 

“Every week, we decide the topic that will be discussed at the next club meeting by a majority vote from the club members. We [the officers] narrow it down to a couple options based on the current political problems and events,  then our media manager, Gaurav Chintamneedi posts a poll on the club’s instagram account [@mchspoliticsclub] and we let the club followers decide from there,” co-president Redford Hudson said.

The discussion topic is usually decided a few days prior to the next club meeting so the club members who would like to participate in the discussion have time to read up on and understand the topic to form their argument or choose their side.

“Sometimes members look up statistics or percentages before the club meeting to prove their point. Many people will read news stories about the given topic or watch debates going on that relate to what we will be talking about,” Politics Club officer, Peter Nguyen said. 

The Politics Club combines an opportunity to learn and talk about local and national politics of the time with a chance to meet new people who may have interests or opinions similar to yours.

“We try to make Politics Club as inclusive as possible and make it clear that it is a safe space to voice your opinion. Each week we see new people joining the discussion and not being afraid to have their point argued against. We [the officers] and club members learn more about our chosen topic each week and where the majority stands,” club officer Gaurav Chintamneedi said.

If you aren’t interested in political debates or the possibility of meeting America’s future president right here on MC’s campus, maybe the idea of free food will convince you to spend your lunch break learning about what is going on around the country.

“At every meeting we have some sort of snack or treat available to anyone who comes to the club. Sometimes we have cookies, other times we bring donuts […] we always try to have something [to eat] for the people who take the time to come to our club,” Hudson said.

For all the students out there hoping to become a U.S. senator one day or the sophomores looking for a current event to turn in next period, Politics Club is the place to be for some free food, a political update and a great experience. Go check out room K6 at lunch on Wednesday!