Senior Club Presidents Say Goodbye [senior edition]

By Sydney Brammer

As the 21-22 school year comes to a close, Redwood’s clubs around campus are beginning to say their farewells to their senior presidents. Many of the seniors reflect on their years of involvement with the club and desire that their legacy will be carried on by the underclassmen. 

Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) President, Nahir Karmi, led a strong group this year. The team went to State Conference in Ontario and had the opportunity to meet new people. Karimi says, “[FBLA] allowed me to grow as a leader, as a person, and allowed me to make life-long friendships. I’m proud I left my mark on it and wish the future of Redwood FBLA the best.”

Future Farmers of America (FFA) President, Tessa Hemphill, has been a part of the program since her freshman year. According to her, FFA has given her a “safe space and opened up new opportunities” for the future. She adds, “I was so lucky to be a part of an organization where everyone’s skill is welcomed and embraced and to be a part of making that happen.”

Future Healthcare Professionals (FHP) President, Eric Chavez, founded the club this year. According to him, it started out as just an idea and sprouted from there. He says, “FHP has meant so much to me my last two years of high school connecting with students– the healthcare professionals of the future.” Chavez hopes that the underclassmen elected to carry on, will continue to grow the mission and inspire students.

Mock Trial Co-Presidents, Vismaad Randhawa and Kyla Seitz oversaw a powerful team this year. They swept the 2022 county competition. Randhawa says, “Mock Trail can be very stressful sometimes, and for that reason I am even more grateful for our newer members who stuck with us to the end.” Seitz loved showing up the finals competition– the team’s first competition in two years. She says, “It has been an amazing experience meeting new people, learning a new passion, and leading our [A and B teams] to the finals this year.” Redwood’s Mock Trial finished first and second in the county.

California Scholarship Federation (CSF) President, Brynlee Rassmussen, is full of pride in the members this year. She says, “I met so many amazing students, got to complete some wonderful service projects, worked alongside the best advisor, and grew as an individual and leader.” Some of her favorite memories from this year include chairing a service project, bringing donations for packages for breast cancer patients, going to the CSF lifetime member luncheon, and leading the team with the other officers and the advisor, Mrs. Cheatwood. Rassmussen closes her time saying, “Thank you to all the CSF club members for their support and participation.” She is excited to see how the organization will continue to flourish. 

Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) Co-Presidents, Sydney Brammer and Kiersten Moshier, shared a fun and inspiring year with their members. The club consistently met once every other week for the whole year. Moshier has been a member since her freshman year. She says, “Through FCA, I have met and grown closer with so many amazing people.” She has confidence in the leadership team for next year to continue the mission of providing a fun and safe place for students on campus to come together. Brammer’s favorite memory from this year was sharing her testimony at the “FCA Night of Faith” event. According to her, there was a big show-out and she was, “blessed with the opportunity to share [her] story,” she says. Like Moshier, Brammer has also been a member since her freshman year. She says, “It was so cool to get to meet with fellow Christians on campus and talk about sports, God, and just become friends.” She is excited to see how Caroline Cantelmi and Jalen Bullock will take her and Moshier’s roles for next year and continue to lead. 

Badminton club President, Vismaad Randhawa, founded the club this year with 80 sign-ups. According to Randhawa, the club’s meets were successful and a lot of fun. He would like to shout-out Christian Mugen and Alexis Xposed for winning their first meet. He says, “I hope next year the club can have more meets with a new officer team!”

Ski Club Co-Presidents, McKenna Cook and Cole Pritchett, express the impact the club has made on their time at Redwood. Cook says, “Being able to be the president has allowed me to make many good memories with fellow skiers at school who also love hitting the slopes. Her favorite memory from her involvement was a movie night her freshman year. She hopes that the club continues to meet for many years to follow. Pritchett would like to thank the members for making the club “so amazing”. His desire is for Alastair Batchman to carry on the legacy of the club. His favorite memory was when him and some members drove up to China Peak for their ski trip but couldn’t make it all the way because of a snow storm.

Choir President, Tessa Hemphill, is grateful that the club provided her with a lot of fun opportunities to get involved and grow her choral skills. Some of her favorite events include doing out-of-town festivals, Chamber retreat, and concerts. She says, “Despite choir being so difficult to navigate when we were away, I think we all appreciate now more than ever the power of music, teamwork, and trust.” She closes her time in involvement saying, “The Redwood Choir program is so unique and full of talent, and I’ll forever be grateful to say I was just a small part of it. You guys are amazing!”

Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) President, Kyla Seitz, enjoyed just having the pleasure to meet with other like-minded people. She says, “There was really cool and informative conversations and presentations, getting to hang out tie-dying pride flags, or drawing hand-turkeys and talking about our families.” She adds, “I loved seeing each and every member grow more into themselves, and I’m proud of the people they all have become.” She is excited to see their current vice president step up and lead the club next year.

Students for Climate Action (S4CA) Co-Presidents Jasmine Luna and Nizhoni Kears grew a team with strong voices and advocates for change. Luna’s favorite memories include the clean-up projects around Visalia and going on the summer retreat, Rio Limpio. She says, “I will never forget all the fun I had at all our clean-ups and feeling the satisfaction of doing my part as a human to clean up pollution in Visalia and Springville. Kears says, “I’m super proud to have helped establish the Students for Climate Action club and see all of the amazing environmental action Redwood youth takes.” Her favorite memory was hosting the clean-up at the Tule River. 

American Sign Language (ASL) President, Carly Duerre, is honored to have led a special group of people yearning to continue to learn a unique language. She says, “I hope the ASL club grows with the ASL program and that it gets taken over by students who want to use their knowledge for good in the community.”

Advanced Via Individual Determination (AVID) President, Daisy Montesinos-Rivera, says, “I learned about assisting my community and building friendships in where my memories will forever last.” She is proud to have left a club strong enough to continue carrying out an organizational and empowering group of people with bright futures. “That is something worth more than anything,” she says.

Athletes Giving Back (AGB) President, Nate Bettencourt, says, “Thank you to everybody working towards a more giving community, and I hope that the AGB spirit will never die.” His favorite memories from this year was the opening meeting. He says, “It was awesome seeing all the new faces, especially after a year of COVID meetings.”

Science Olympiad President, Nizhoni Kears, has competed every year since the seventh grade. She says, “Our team always works so hard and places in multiple events. I’ll be sad to let Science Olympiad go!” Her favorite memory from this year was their competition at Ridgeview Middle School.

Fashion Insitute of Design and Marketing (FIDM) Presidents, Katie Hornburg, Hailey Burrow, and Emma Phillips started the club this school year. According to Hornburg, over the 20-21 summer, she had a vision for the club and shared it with Burrow and Phillips. The club had over 100 members sign up at their first meeting. Hornburg says, “I hope the underclassmen with the same passion for fashion will continue the legacy of FIDM Fashion club!” Burrow expresses the honor she felt serving as president. She hopes the club continues to inspire expressive students. Her favorite memory was the club’s clothing drive. They donated clothing to the women’s domestic violence shelter. She says it was a very “educational and heartwarming experience.” Phillips adds, “I have enjoyed all of the new people I have met and all of the people I was able to share this experience with.” She closes her time with the club with, “Don’t forget, school is a fashion show!”

Interact Club President, Daisy Montesinos-Rivera, overcame difficulties formulated by COVID and persevered to still create a successful club. She says, “I was able to expand the club and truly advocate service above self in the school community and throughout, by continuing meetings or promoting activities.” She is satisfied knowing she is leaving the club in good hands. She says, “I left knowing the school will not remember me, but rather the things my club did for unity and joy in our community.” 

Key Club President, Sarah Plummer, expresses how much the club has allowed her to stay involved in the community. She says, “I met so many amazing people and was able to collaborate with phenomenal organizations, and I think that this club has positively influenced me as an individual and as a leader.”

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