The pioneer group of student-led exploratory sessions just ended recently and gave insight on what our exploratories will be like next year. Topics ranged from vegetarian cooking to ultimate frisbee to beat-boxing and even Chinese mahjong.
Previously, non-faculty staff members led exploratory sessions. In late February, vice principal Ms. Kate McKenna emailed out an online application for SAS students interested in leading exploratories. She explained in the email, “When establishing the Exploratory Program, our eventual goal was to create an opportunity for students to share their talents and passions with other students.” How did we not see it coming earlier? They planned this all along.
I took on the opportunity a few weeks ago when a friend and I led our own exploratory. As officers of Footprints Club, we had fellow students in our exploratory session paint shoes to personalize donations to underprivileged students in rural Yun Nan. The whole “leadership” experience was actually not as intimidating as it sounded. Participants were all very receptive and interested in the activity. Most of their shoes turned out much prettier than mine. The main effort was put in before the exploratory session began. We had to order the shoes and paint, get our reimbursement on supplies, and arrange getting the materials to school. I personally felt a sense of achievement later, feeling that the effort paid off during the three exploratory sessions.
Responses to student-led exploratories in Echo Lite’s opinion poll were largely positive. The sessions allow students to gain leadership experience and improve their activity-planning ability. Furthermore, club officers can now lead exploratories to more effectively raise awareness of or generate interest in their activity. Student-led exploratories open doors to a very wide range of possibilities that students can take advantage of.
This exploratory set started off small, but in the future, student-led exploratories will steadily expand. Not only is the space allotted for each activity expected to grow, there will also be more weeks of student-led exploratory sessions next year. When applications come around next year for student leaders, consider giving it a shot! I look forward to seeing even more creative activities available next session.
Emma Li
Previously, non-faculty staff members led exploratory sessions. In late February, vice principal Ms. Kate McKenna emailed out an online application for SAS students interested in leading exploratories. She explained in the email, “When establishing the Exploratory Program, our eventual goal was to create an opportunity for students to share their talents and passions with other students.” How did we not see it coming earlier? They planned this all along.
I took on the opportunity a few weeks ago when a friend and I led our own exploratory. As officers of Footprints Club, we had fellow students in our exploratory session paint shoes to personalize donations to underprivileged students in rural Yun Nan. The whole “leadership” experience was actually not as intimidating as it sounded. Participants were all very receptive and interested in the activity. Most of their shoes turned out much prettier than mine. The main effort was put in before the exploratory session began. We had to order the shoes and paint, get our reimbursement on supplies, and arrange getting the materials to school. I personally felt a sense of achievement later, feeling that the effort paid off during the three exploratory sessions.
Responses to student-led exploratories in Echo Lite’s opinion poll were largely positive. The sessions allow students to gain leadership experience and improve their activity-planning ability. Furthermore, club officers can now lead exploratories to more effectively raise awareness of or generate interest in their activity. Student-led exploratories open doors to a very wide range of possibilities that students can take advantage of.
This exploratory set started off small, but in the future, student-led exploratories will steadily expand. Not only is the space allotted for each activity expected to grow, there will also be more weeks of student-led exploratory sessions next year. When applications come around next year for student leaders, consider giving it a shot! I look forward to seeing even more creative activities available next session.
Emma Li