PPAC and social studies club joins forces

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Anusha Jayaprakash

Palatine High School’s PPAC and social studies club have started working together

Anusha Jayaprakash, Reporter

In the midst of the 2016 election, a club named Palatine Political Action Club, or PPAC, was formed to provide students with an outlet to deal with and act on the chaos. They spread information through the school and members took steps in the community to support their beliefs. But when the election was over, it left behind a void to be filled by new objectives and motivating factors.

PPAC has merged with Social Studies Club and changed its name to Pirate and Politics to cope with the change in the political atmosphere.

“We’ve expanded to include the things that social studies club traditionally did last year, including a special presentation for Veterans Day,” Pirates and Politics sponsor Leslie Schock said.

In order to make up for the decrease in political activity, the two clubs have become one. The diversification allows students to try aspects of politics and social studies that they may have not been previously exposed to.

“We have looked into outreach and getting students more involved in their local, state, and federal government.” Schock said. “A presidential year is always the most exciting, but every year is an election year at some level.”

Despite not being a presidential year, Pirates and Politics is still very involved politically. The clubs rather than decreasing activity, has shifted its focus while maintaining engagement.

“I had students ask me to give them a political quiz because they’re very interested in where they sit on the political spectrum.” Schock said. “Students are very engaged in politics in a way where they didn’t know how it would affect them in the past, but now they are seeing how what is being decided now can affect their lives in the near future.”

Many students are curious about politics and do not need any prior knowledge in order to join because the club works to educate.

“It’s more organized and we’re doing more things politically rather than just blundering around and trying to figure out what’s happening,” Pirates and politics member Philip Korus said. “I like how it’s actually political and people are really passionate about what they’re talking about.”

The members of the club, along with the sponsors, are extremely passionate and discussions are lively.

“Every other Thursday morning; listen for it in the announcements,” Schock said. “It takes place in room 279, and all students welcome. We would love to have 50 kids show up. The more kids that are politically active, the better it is for the future of our country.”