Students interested in the medical field can fulfill their hearts’ desire and get hands-on experience with Heart Club. Heart Club is a new club on campus this year. Its mission is to help ensure the strong well-being of our community.
Heart Club was co-founded by juniors Nathalia Guevara and Lucas Campbell-Goolsby. The club advisor is Health Careers Teacher Maryssa Flentye.
Flentye was enthusiastic to be able to spread knowledge of health beyond her classroom. You might not notice it, but the medical world surrounds us, from dentist appointments and yearly check-ups to medicine and nutrition.
“I decided to take on Heart Club because I am passionate about health and couldn’t turn down the offer when two of my awesome former health students asked me to be the advisor,” said Flentye.
Guevara and Goolsby are running the club as acting co-presidents.
“I wanted to start a club mainly to help more with the hospital and nursing homes, especially after hearing the conditions some of the people are living currently, and I felt it would be a good way to make an impactful change,” said Guevara.
Golsby has a similar outlook.
“I wanted to start Heart Club because I wanted to give back to the community, but I also wanted to get a glimpse into the medical field.”
Indeed, Heart Club is an excellent way to dive into medical careers. Juniors and seniors do have a Health Careers class they can take, but many do not have room in their schedules for it since it takes two periods in every school day. This offers the ideal solution.
Guevara has set her sights on becoming an optometrist.
“Even though getting glasses or contacts isn’t something that people immediately think of when talking about medically improving someone’s life, it really does make a big difference just to be able to see clearly,” said Guevara. “I feel like it really just aligns with Heart Club and helping people out, even with things that seem insignificant to others, but can really change their lives.”
Accompanying Guevara and Goolsby on the officer board are Layla Goebel as vice president, Beverly Delarea as secretary, Maggie Pham as treasurer, and Sophia Valencia as public relations.
Pham is taking her role as treasurer very seriously and already has fundraising ideas lined up for the club.
“We plan to have people participate in helping us fundraise by bake sales, car washes, and community events,” said Pham. “Once we do raise that money, we plan to buy a bunch of supplies for the community in need.”
Heart Club is currently trying to find volunteer opportunities at the Ridgecrest Regional Hospital and nursing homes. They also intend to raise awareness for physical and mental wellness within Burroughs and the Ridgecrest community.
Heart Club meets every other Thursday in Room C-13. Their next meeting is Nov. 8.
