Wwhhaaa? Leadership For Me? Never! (For UT)

For most of my years at West High School, I was content to have a very passive role in school activities. I was in Marching Band, I joined Mu Alpha Thaeda (which I became President of this year), and I participated in National Honors Society. But for the most part, I came home everyday after school and moped at home, aimless, for hours. Even though the lack of obligations was nice, it became quite boring, quite fast. I wanted something more. I wanted some after-school activity that I could look forward to every week. I wanted something fun.

The task proved quite daunting. Like all high schools, West has numerous clubs. However, none seemed to really fit me. The Student Council seemed to have as much to do with leadership as politics has to do with morality. Singing songs and organizing dances I’d never go to wouldn’t do. The Academic Team seemed my sort of “sport’, but it sounded too much like a trivia contest with emphasis on reflexes, entirely too stressful and arduous than what I wanted. There were many others, such as FCA and DECA, but none suited my objectives. So I took matters into my own hands and decided to start my own club after a favorite pastime of mine: Board and Card gaming.

My dream was a laidback, stress-free club where the main motivation would certainly not be a college resume (the irony of me writing this paper on the experience is duly noted). The sole purpose would be enjoyment. A revolutionary concept, I know, but it was exactly what I wanted. My friends responded quite favorably, so I next set my sights on a sponsor. I talked to one of my favorite teachers, Mr. Petko, and he was quite enthusiastic about the idea. His words were something like, “I think one of the best things about West is that is has something for everyone.” Even those of "slightly unconventional tastes" like me.

Now all I needed was a witty advertising campaign to get out the good word! All products need a name, so I spent a surprising amount of time trying to find something that fit. I sought many opinions with results ranging from the “Gaming Club” to “Bored Gaming”, but as we neither shot pheasants nor slept through the entire thing, neither were apt. Then, one of my friends had an epiphany: The Cardboard Club. It was genius! And, like all genius, I soon corrupted it into a horrible pun, as evidenced by my first poster idea: Red title reading “Communism got you down?” Insert Picture of sad stick figure and Communist flag. “Try Laissez Faire!” Insert that staple of American ideology and leisure, The Uncle Pennybags Monopoly Logo. Then, at the bottom, “Are you Cardboard material?” Painful, and iconoclastic, I know, but that was the sort of odd, witty, entertaining thing I wanted to create.

The club went, and has gone, remarkably well. There isn’t a large member base, but the people who do come are quite dedicated. We have a great time working on our social skills, learning to function as a team, and facing disappointment. But mostly we just have fun. Founding and leading the Cardboard Club is definitely my best experience at West. It’s practically my legacy, and I hope it will remain at West for years to come.