By Ashlynne Myrick
Classics Club:
Who wants to study some myths and history while playing fun quizzes on Fridays during high school lunch in room 404? Both Dr. Riesbeck and Mr. Hansen started the new Latin and Greek club called the Classics Club. A room filled with informal rounds of Certamen, quizzes about Latin, Roman history, and classical mythology which students do not normally get around to in TPA classes.
Both Dr. Riesbeck and Mr. Hansen agree on welcoming any students in the high school community that would want to know ancient Greek and Roman worlds. Mr. Hansen explains that even though they allow the students to choose what they do every Friday, they try to make the club “effective and purposeful.” Dr. Riesbeck says in excitement, “We wing it when Friday comes, and the students help us wing it.”
Both teachers agree that Grace Diehl and Rochelle Lilly will create special events to earn money for an upcoming trip to Greece. Overall, Classics Club has a fun environment in which no one judges you.
Investment Club:
Want some useful tips about investment? Investment Club just started by Senior Aimee Cheng and with the help of Dr. Evans every Wednesday during high school lunch. Aimee explains that she was encouraged to start a club “over the summer. At the Bank of America Program, I had helpful financial literacy sessions.” She plans to incorporate what she learned to younger classmen. She also discusses how basic literacy is important and how she encourages students to join. Why? Do you know how the stock market works or how to buy stocks? If your answer is no, then the Investment Club is perfect for you.
Digital Media Club:
Who likes photography or broadcast stations? Lucky for you the partnership between Tempe Preparatory Academy and Rio Salado College has digital media for you. Spot127 has high tech equipment which TPA high school students can use. At any point of a semester TPA students get a guaranteed entry to join either a beginners course or an advanced course.
At Spot127, located directly across Southern Avenue from the TPA gym, students learn the basics of videos, sound editing, creating shot lists, conducting interviews, and writing articles. If you start out as a beginner on Mondays and Wednesdays from 4-6 p.m. you will have fun at the Spot127. In advanced classes Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4-6 p.m. you will do more high-tech camera work. A great place for students who wish to go into a career in digital media, making a college degree easier to achieve.
Sophomore Hope Weng takes on the beginners course. Her favorite thing to do is to take good pictures and videos. Hope likes when a person wants for you to take a picture and you can “show off your camera skills.”
Sophomore Samuel Bradley takes the advanced course at Spot127. He says that his favorite thing is working with the equipment given to him, especially working with something above the equipment he has at home.”
Samuel strongly encourages beginners not to “overestimate. Don’t buy the most expensive camera equipment first. Start with something small and learn from that.” Samuel encourages students to explore and try new things, and his tips are really helpful if students want to go into photography.
Percussion Club:
Who likes to make a rhythm with your hands in a classroom? If you want to know about rhythm go into Room 205 on Wednesdays at 7 in the morning where you will find the Percussion Club. Students from any grade can join and drum on a five-gallon bucket with drumsticks. While drumming on buckets, students focus on rhythmically interesting music and apply musical concepts on an ordinary object as an instrument.
Percussion Club is all about teamwork, and all the drills help the team. If one person fails at playing their part the whole team suffers. Mr. Gipper, the teacher of this club, quotes Vince Lombardi, NFL football coach. “Individual commitment to a group effort: That is what makes a team work, a company work, a society, a civilization work.” Percussion Club allows everyone to be part of a team. Everyone has a place in the Percussion Club while learning musical rhythms.