By: Aidan Joly
There’s a new club at Saratoga Springs High School, and it’s one that’s getting people talking.
The Saratoga Springs High School Teenage Republicans club, led by co-founder and president Meg Messitt and vice president Paul Sheehan have attracted several students so far to their meetings, have established the new club for the 2017-2018 school year.
According to the club Constitution, the reason for it’s existence is “to bring people into the Republican Party and to provide an opportunity for them to find political expression and recognition,”
Messitt, a freshman at the school, echoed that statement; “To have a like-minded group of friends to discuss politics and do community service projects (and) also to uphold Republican values,” she said.
The newly-formed club also plans to hold community service projects including adopting a soldier, hosting coffee and doughnut meet-and-greets with local law enforcement and laying wreaths at the tombs of veterans.
They also plan to discuss the policies of Republicans in the world of politics.
The club’s advisor, Brian Rhodes, is also a forensics teacher Saratoga Springs High School. “(Messitt) has kind of spearheaded to get the word out, and get the kids here. She’s really been the point person, she’s the one who came to be and said ‘Hey, would you be the club advisor?’” Rhodes said.
The club elections held Monday afternoon attracted about 25 students across multiple grades, but Messitt expects the numbers to increase as time goes on.
“We have had a huge turnout of kids interested in our club,” Messitt said. “We haven’t had time to advertise properly, but we still had a good turnout. Once we advertise I would expect our club member numbers to really increase.”
The newly elected club president hopes to help the club grow into something that serves as a benefit for the school and the Saratoga community as a whole. “Our membership will grow,” Messitt said, “we will take on more projects, and have a positive impact on both the school and the community.”
The club holds their meetings every other Monday after school in room H103 at Saratoga Springs High School.