The Political Science Club was recently added to the LT club directory to encourage young minds to explore various aspects of government outside of classrooms year-around. Meeting every other Thursday as of Sept. 12 in NC room 239, high aspirations are set for the club.

“It’s crucial for us to work on civil discourse in this time of political discord in the U.S.,” club sponsor Christina George said. “The Political Science Club is a non-partisan politics based club that will serve as an arena for students to explore our political system and civil liberties, civic opportunities, ideas for how to create change; and to discuss current political issues.” 

Activities, as of now, are catered around the upcoming election. Educating others and learning are roles that everyone takes on while looking into candidate policies, exploring the democratic system, watching election debates, and playing political games. Club leader Alissandra Alvarez ’25, Co-leader Miley McCullum ‘25, and George plan to provide more in class activities for the future. As for community opportunities, Thurs. Oct. 22 members took a field trip to Indian Prairie Public Library to meet Senator John Curran. Members competed in groups pitching a legislation proposal, where the winners partook in a mock committee hearing. The club expects to continue getting students even more involved with guest speakers, workshops, volunteering, petitioning, and mock elections. 

“The future depends on invested individuals to support American values of democracy,” George said. “The club [is designed] to inspire interest, action, experience, and enthusiasm for bipartisan political issues and healthy political discourse.”

The club invites students aware and unaware of the political sphere to their safe space to comfortably talk about politics without being ridiculed. McCullum has been advocating for the club’s invention as of last year alongside Alvarez, who initially prompted the club. Both have led the club thus far and aspire to encourage more to join. The club is an opportunity to discuss or build personal beliefs, partake in political activism, and maybe find a new passion. Additionally, the club is a different atmosphere than classrooms, where all young minds are permitted to clash and connect on ideals. 

“It’s really important that [we all] get more involved as a lot of the policies being put in place are going to affect us as the younger generation,” McCullum said. “Young people [should] know how to use their vote and use their voice for activism or other social justice.”
Alvarez wants to bring life into the topic of politics and believes the club can even help career wise by encouraging critical thinking and respectful dialogue. Whether of voting age or not, this club can help build strong leaders in political activism. One takeaway from attending the club would be that every vote counts, and by attending, students are establishing a strong baseline for what they believe about government.

“Politics are important because it surrounds and impacts people’s lives every day, everywhere,” Alvarez said. “The depth and understanding we have available at the Political Science Club, classes can’t give students.”