Edina High School is filled with clubs that aim to address different issues, both globally and communitywide. Two of the largest are Hornet Connections and United for UNICEF. Hornet Connections works with special education students at EHS, with overall inclusion the goal. “We have teaching assistant, Special Olympics and adaptive-sports volunteer opportunities,” says Drew Otterlei, student leader of Hornet Connections. “Our purpose is to learn more about students with special needs and help them get involved with the student body.”
This club requires a large time commitment to ensure bonding among participants. They host many events, like the Special Olympics Polar Plunge, a dance marathon and unified sporting events.
United for UNICEF “works with UNICEF International to raise money and awareness to ensure children everywhere have basic needs met and help provide them with greater opportunities,” says Casey Robinson, one of the club’s student leaders. “Our goal is to reach a world with zero child deaths due to a preventable cause and also to provide children globally with access to education and opportunity.” Participants discuss possible solutions during weekly meetings and perform related service projects or fundraisers.
“I think [the club] makes EHS a better place because it brings awareness to real issues affecting the world and provides students a way to help solve these issues,” says Robinson.
