It's all about choice at El Capitan High School in Merced

Getting students involved in campus organizations is a key objective at Merced’s El Capitan High School, where 655 of the 765 freshmen and sophomores belong to a group, Principal Anthony Johnson said.

In addition to their classes, El Capitan students have more than 40 clubs they can join, plus leadership and sports activities.

“When they’re involved in something they are passionate about they are automatically engaged,” Johnson said. “The goal is to involve 100 percent of the students. Being a new school, we are starting with a blank slate.”

Scott Scambray, Merced Union High School District superintendent, said research shows that students who are involved in school activities have better attendance, higher grades and fewer problems at school.

“We are continually looking for additional activities for our students,” Scambray said.

El Capitan students can join an Adventure Club that promotes outdoor activities. There also are clubs for those who like cyberwarfare, hunting, fantasy sports, photography, pingpong, sign language and travel, among many others.

Johnson said students with a specific interest are encouraged to recruit their classmates, and then a faculty adviser is identified. Students run most of the activities and the teacher-adviser provides a classroom, encouragement and supervision.

Freshman Hunter Kahn is president of the Hunting Club and takes part in water polo competitions. He also is involved in student leadership.

“It’s a great experience,” Kahn said. “It’s a lot of fun and will help me throughout high school.”

Keaton Bender, also a freshman, is involved in leadership, serves as sentinel for the FFA group and is founder and vice president of the Hunting Club, which has 15 members.

“It grows my character,” Bender said. “ It’s really hectic, but at the end of the day, it’s worth it.”

Kim Conley is the school’s activities director. She said many colleges are looking for well-rounded students who will be better workers later in life. “It’s really good for kids to be involved,” Conley said.

Johnson said clubs essentially provide social accountability.

“When students are connected in some way, other than just academics, they tend to do better,” Johnson said. “We hound them and give them options to match up kids with similar interests.”

The excitement of starting a new school has helped, Johnson said. The school’s discipline cases are lower than other high school district campuses, he said.

Carrie Wee, a freshman, is involved with leadership, serves as vice president of the Anime Club and plays tennis. Anime Club members plan to watch shows together and hope to go to conventions where people dress up as costumed film characters.

“You are able to learn how to balance your time” when involved in multiple groups, Wee said.

Taylor Schisnewski, also a freshman, is president of the Skiing and Snowboarding Club. Group members are planning to go at least three times to Dodge Ridge this winter.

“It makes my day more enjoyable,” Schisnewski said. “You have to have good grades to participate. I believe it makes me a better student.”

Johnson said he is impressed with the culture on campus and the degree of involvement from students and staff members. Any school employee can be an adviser for a student club.

Sophomore Kyra Corpuz is treasurer of the Kiwin’s group and plans to join the swimming team in the spring. She values the experience of giving back to the community and said El Capitan students will be role models for future students.

Courtney Alvares, 15, is a sophomore, FFA president and Hunting Club secretary. She compiles statistics for the football and volleyball teams, and also is sophomore class secretary.

“Some need to get involved,” Alvares said. “Otherwise they will get lost and bored with school. We want to show other kids that getting involved is fun.”

Gabby Montiel, also a sophomore, belongs to the Newspaper Club, which will be publishing the Gaucho Gazette online newspaper. She is sophomore class treasurer and just finished volleyball competition.

“We have been given an awesome opportunity as the first graduating class and want to leave a legacy,” Montiel said.

Growing up, Johnson said, the influences of coaches and club advisers helped him, and extracurricular activities were the hook that got him involved in school.

“That’s part of our mission: to create student leaders in academics, technology and life,” Johnson said.

At most high schools, about 30 students are involved in leadership activities, but El Capitan has more than 100 students in leadership, he said. Most schools have an Associated Student Body organization; at El Capitan, it’s called the United Student Body and leadership development is stressed.

“We don’t turn away any kid who wants to be involved in leadership,” Johnson said. “Typically, a school three times our size would have 20 to 30 students. As long as they are willing to go through the training and represent our core values, interact with students and the community, they can be part of leadership here.”