The Ross High School History Club is an inclusive group that students can join simply by showing up and attending meetings, which are held on rotating days to accommodate different schedules. The club has several officers who work collaboratively. Officers work as a team, splitting duties and having additional meetings to plan field trips and make big decisions. Meetings include updates, reminders, historical trivia, and games like History Pictionary. Leadership opportunities are available for students looking to build their resume or improve their leadership skills.
When asking Lauren Eckstein, teacher and club adviser of the history club when meetings take place and how to join, she stated, “So it’s very easy to join, you just show up and you’re in. Anyone can join. For our meetings this year, we’re trying something different. Previously we’ve done them on Mondays after school, but this year we’re rotating between every other Monday after school and every other Thursday during extended Rambell.”
The rotating of the schedule aims to accommodate students who can’t attend after-school meetings so everyone can be included. The club is available to all students interested in history and wanting to be a part of a community without intense commitment like other extracurricular activities. Everything in the meetings is optional, and the atmosphere is welcoming and flexible. If the club doesn’t fit an individual’s interests or schedule, they can leave whenever.
When Eckstein was asked about the main highlights of being a part of the history club, she believed, “The biggest highlight is going on field trips. Usually, we do two in the fall semester and two in the spring semester. Our trips typically take place during school so we’re able to get students out of school to go on an adventure. It’s great for students who aren’t really involved in anything and who want to be a part of a community of like-minded people.”
These field trips often cover local history, which is not usually covered in depth in regular classes. Learning about local history gives students a chance to understand how their local community has developed.
The most recent field trip the History Club went on was to see the play “Ruka”, at Cincinnati Playhouse in the park. The play was a student matinee, attended by middle and high school students and their chaperones. “Ruka” is about Rutger Lysiak, a Jewish girl who lived in Poland during the Holocaust. Rutger Lysiak kept a diary where she wrote about her friends, family, and personal life.
Students who may not have been familiar with the ghettos or Rutger Lysiak’s story learned a lot from the experience. The field trip involved watching the play, having lunch, and discussing everything afterward.
History club values the opportunity to share its experiences and engage with the school’s community.
