By Brandon Hoang

Inspired to promote positive change and make an impact on their communities, Seattle Waldorf School students have begun to make a mark on their school. This all stems from the lunch clubs students are voluntarily attending during their school week. Most lunch clubs within the Seattle Waldorf School are entirely student run and operated, with guidance from faculty and staff.

On Mondays at the high school, the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Club meets to organize events, spread awareness around diversity and inclusion, open up spaces for conversation, and find ways to progress the Seattle Waldorf High School Campus in the direction of DEI and belonging. The club has been promoting Black Excellence within the high school especially during Black History Month, and collecting student feedback to organize inclusive events such as DEI assemblies and a Culture Festival in May.

On Tuesdays at the grade school, the Middle School DEI Club hosts a space of conversation with open minds and acceptance. Students share their experiences with guided questions, led by Ms. Nimisha and Mr. B, during their lunch time. The Middle School DEI Club is a new club introduced to the grade school, and has piqued the interest of many students with new members joining every week.

On Thursdays at the high school, the Queer Community Organization (QCO) assembles to formulate visibility and create a safe space for participants to express their ambitions for the LGBTQ+ community. This is a welcoming space for growing and learning for the members of the LGBTQ+ community and their allies. The QCO has created and displayed posters around the high school campus to provide the community with beneficial resources and information.

On Fridays at the high school, the Asian Student Union (ASU) Affinity Group gathers to share stories and experiences. Inspired by their involvement at the Student Diversity Leadership Retreat in February, a few student attendees from Seattle Waldorf School wanted to bring this opportunity to the community. The ASU Affinity Group has rapidly grown to one of the biggest clubs on the high school campus. ASU members use their time to celebrate their Asian heritage, as well as create a space where individuals can feel a sense of connection to their cultural community. Before Spring Break, ASU members officially solidified themselves as a club through a cultural potluck. ASU members brought in a favorite cultural dish and talked about the importance that dish has in their life.

Clubs around the Seattle Waldorf School community are a great resource for students to connect on a deeper level outside of the classroom. By having a space for students to exercise their visions, practices, and beliefs, it fosters the idea of agency, growth, and understanding in the Seattle Waldorf School community.