The newly registered club Coloring and Conversations, run by sophomore Gabriella Estrada, aims to provide a safe space for all students to relax and color while discussing their days.
Coloring and Conversations is a newly established club that was created this past year. At meetings, Estrada will provide materials such as coloring sheets and markers for students to decompress and speak about their everyday lives.
Estrada recognized that each student endures stress–whether it is through school, sports and/or home life. Her goal is to give students an outlet to help manage the pressure of being a student. “I have always wanted a safe place where me and my friends could decompress and not think about the stress of everyday life,” Estrada said. “This then got me thinking that maybe I could help others who are in need of this same safe place.”
Estrada has high expectations for Coloring and Conversations. She hopes that every student feels recognized and welcome in her club. She also hopes that all students will know her club and see it as a resource for students going through a stressful period.
Club member and sophomore Eldawit Abebe plans to participate in the club in the future. She sees this club as an opportunity to relax and connect with her friends while attending regular meetings and creating a welcoming environment for others. “I’ve always thought it was important to have a space where we can just talk about our day, color and enjoy lunch without any pressure. It’s a great break from the academic side of school,” Abebe said.
Abebe is looking forward to seeing how the club develops and forms a community of its own. She believes it can become a popular spot for her classmates to de-stress and develop friendships. “I’d love to see more people join and feel the same benefits of just taking a break, coloring and chatting with friends,” Abebe said.
Yoga and health teacher Victoria McCarthy is the current sponsor of Coloring and Conversations. She is required to supervise and attend all club meetings which take place in room 43. According to McCarthy, her students’ mental and emotional health is important to her. She believes there are a multitude of ways this club can boost the mental health of her students by participating in a relaxing activity like coloring. “This club has a great concept in allowing students a safe place to hang out, talk with peers, and engage in mindfulness coloring,” McCarthy said.
The club held its first meeting on Monday, Oct. 7 in which Estrada, McCarthy and Abebe were all in attendance. Estrada said that before this meeting, she had not finished her preparations, but is excited to kick off the start of her club’s monthly meetings and celebrate her hard work. “Preparing for the first club meeting is definitely a work in progress. However, I think I am managing the preparations nicely,” Estrada said.
