A disease called negativity has been slowly making its way around the school, but with the help of Bingham’s kindness clubs, we could eradicate it completely.

The Golden Gate Club, HOPE Squad, and Equality Club are some of Bingham’s many kindness clubs that have contributed greatly to our fight against the disease.

You may have seen the positive posters with minions drawn on them hanging around the school. Those were put up by the HOPE Squad. The HOPE Squad is a club that is dedicated to “…looking out for people with depression and suicidal thoughts,” according to member Sarah Sanders, a Bingham senior. Sanders says she joined HOPE Squad because she loves helping people, enjoys being a part of a cause bigger than herself, and wants to be there for people who are struggling. Mr. Jensen, a Bingham math teacher, has had six students who have commited suicide, and believes that “six is too many.” After hearing this, Sanders began to be there for people, in the hopes that suicide won’t be an option. One way the HOPE Squad helps the school is by having activities like S’mores Night and HOPE Week. HOPE Week is a week filled with activities like writing kind notes and putting them around the school.

Another kindness club here at Bingham is the Golden Gate Club. They are a club focused mainly on kindness. Its mission, according to Bingham sophomore Ashton Van Der Veur, is to be there for people. The forty minute meetings consist of brainstorming projects that make students feel like they have a friend. “Being nice to everyone is a value that I share with my family,” Van Der Veur said. He says that the club gives him an opportunity to step out of his comfort zone and talk to people. The Golden Gate Club not only helps students make friends, but the people inside the group are also able to branch out.

The Equality Club also contributes to the fight against negativity.  The club’s mission for the school is to have “…pride and reassurance that people are accepted.” Yackelyn Canales, a Bingham senior, says it’s “…nice to meet people who have the same standpoint.” Canales’ favorite part about Equality Club is the social acceptance within the club. The reason she joined is because she believes strongly in equal rights and everyone in the club has a say about what activities are planned. Their meetings occur twice a month and last for about an hour. There are also service projects planned for the school year. Equality Club creates lasting memories for the members, and it benefits the school greatly by creating a socially acceptable environment for all students.

Every kindness club here at Bingham works hard to make this school a better place. They each have different goals, but they all work toward helping students feel welcomed and accepted.