Each year, clubs have to decide how to replace their senior leaders, and with the class of 2025 being especially large, it’s a bigger burden. While some clubs have one or two leaders to replace, others have to reorganize an entire board of members. Every club has a unique way to navigate this process, whether it’s a quick conversation or a multi-step application process, and along the way, they’ll have to figure out how to continue their seniors’ legacy.
Junior Girls United member Dalia Falck said the senior leaders of Girls United have built up the club to be a fun and safe space.
“They’ve done such an amazing job,” Falck said. “I remember my first meeting, and they were so welcoming and kind, and they’ve done an amazing job just building up the club and making everyone feel super included, and all the programming has been really great.”
Environmental Club advisor Emily Rennhak said she’s talked to the club’s founder, Abigail Oppegaard, about what the future of the club might look like once Oppegaard graduates.
“A big portion of this year has been Abi working to recruit and talk to rising students,” Rennhak said. “There aren’t a ton of juniors in the club, but we do have a ton of sophomores, so we’re going to have some sophomores kind of take the lead on the club for next year. It was definitely a conversation that she and I had in our very first meeting of the year, like ‘how do we keep the legacy of this going?’”
Junior Echowan member Ivy Hoeschen said Echowan goes through a specific process to replace editors, including an application and interview.
“You build a cover letter and then you sign up for an interview with the senior major staffers who are graduating and (with) our advisor. You do an interview and answer questions and then based on what positions you’re going for, they decide your position off your interview and stuff,” Hoeschen said. “(I like the process) because I think some people are better at writing aspects, so their cover letter shows stronger skills in that, then some people are better at communication and talking, and that shows in their interview. You are getting the best of both worlds of writing and communicating, which are two really essential aspects of Echowan.”
Falck will be Girls United’s treasurer next year, and according to her, Girls United has a similar application process to Echowan to decide positions like this.
“I just filled out an application. The application asked a couple of questions about, like, ‘What position do you want?’ ‘What are your strengths?’ and how you can contribute positively to the club next year,” Falck said. “I do (like the application process) because I think it’s a good way to assess people’s strengths and weaknesses and (it’s) a good way to show the leaders you’re interested.”
Rennhak said the Environmental Club doesn’t do an application process, but rather assesses members’ participation in the club to decide who will lead it next year.
“(We’ve been) really just looking at who have been our most consistent students in attendance, like what students have been volunteering for additional leadership roles or showing up to additional activities that aren’t required as a part of the club but show a big passion for it,” Rennhak said. “Historically, we’ve really just had two co-leaders. I’m hesitant to even call them presidents. Technically, they’re presidents, but one or two co-leaders at a time. I think we’ll just continue with that model because it’s worked really well with us so far.”
Hoeschen said she believes this year’s graduates will be missed, but leave Echowan in a good position to start strong next year.
“I don’t really have any concerns with seniors leaving,” Hoeschen said. “The only thing is, we have a really strong group of seniors who know what they’re doing in Echowan, so that’s going to kind of be a hard transition, but I’m excited to see all the new faces that are going to be in Echowan next year, and I’m excited just to create another great yearbook.”
