From Surf Club to Lionshare, and Red Cloud Club to Laughter for Healing, Convent of the Sacred Heart’s student-run clubs enrich members with both charitable and active experiences.
Juniors Katrina Rodriguez and Claire Squire, co-heads of the Surf Club, hope to bring together fellow surf-enthusiasts and discuss the culture and competition of the sport.
“We were inspired to start this club because not many people are aware that there are places to surf on the East Coast, especially in our area of New York,” Katrina said.
Once the weather is warmer, Claire and Katrina plan to organize a June surfing trip to Rockaway Beach, New York.
“Over the summer, Claire and I both went surfing in Rockaway Beach, which is located just outside of Manhattan,” Katrina said. “We then realized there was so much more to the sport than how it seems on social media and we wanted to share it with the community.” 
The Surf Club also supports the conservation of local coastal environments.
“We want to make the community aware of environmental problems in our oceans and work firsthand to clean up the beaches,” Claire said. 
Another unique club on this year’s roster is Lionshare. The club is affiliated with the Lionshare Educational Organization (LEO) Zoological Conservation Center, which strives to conserve rare and endangered species.
Sophomore co-heads Tatiana Lieberman and Juliette Guice modeled the club’s goals after those of the Center, which include “inspiring others to save the animals of today for the people of tomorrow,” according to leozoo.org.  
“I ride at Lionshare farm in Greenwich, owned by Peter Leone. Everyday when I go to ride my horse, I always hear the animals from the conservation center,” Tatiana said. “Juliette has been with me to my barn where I ride and we both became very interested in the zoological center.”
Tatiana and Juliette plan to take Lionshare members on tours of the Center and raise money for the zoo.
“We are both very passionate about animals and saving the endangered populations from going extinct. Our goals are to create awareness about the endangered animals and to also have people get involved and do something about it,” Tatiana said.
Another meaningful community service trip to Pine Ridge Indian Reservation inspired seniors Grace McKenney and Alexa Granser to create the Red Cloud Club.
“Grace and I went to Pine Ridge the summer before our junior year and absolutely fell in love with the kids at Red Cloud School and the Lakota culture.  We volunteered during the day and helped the children with subjects such as math and science. In the evenings we talked with some of the tribe members and participated in Lakota traditions,” Alexa said.