OC HIGH: STUDENT NEWS AND VIEWS : OC High asks: What’s your favorite club or organized group on campus?

“Economics Club. It informs me about important issues regarding the poor and needy and then helps me get involved with new friends in helping to solve these problems.”

Kristin Deatherage, 14, freshman, Fountain Valley

“Ambassador Club--we help people in community service. I think that is really fun.”

Thuong Nguyen, 18, senior, Santiago

“BIONIC, which stands for Believe-It

-Or-Not-I-Care. They care about what’s happening with the different groups on campus.”

Eric Solheim, 17, senior, Cypress

“The Surf Club. Guys, guys and more guys.”

Laurel Linder, 16, junior, Loara

“Thespian Club, because I love acting.”

Nicole Hlista, 17, junior, Newport Harbor

“Junior State of America is probably the most effective and important club on campus because it teaches political awareness and student involvement in local politics.”

Erin Hooks, 16, junior, Troy

“Safe Rides because it helps people stay safe.”

Kelly Posey, 14, freshman, Los Alamitos

“Kiwanis Bowl because of the intellectual competition.”

Amit Bhaumik, 16, junior, Brea Olinda

“Definitely peer counseling. I like the idea of being able to help people my age who need somebody to talk to or who are going through a tough time.”

Sarah Wilson, 15, sophomore, Irvine

“The Speech Team. I get to hang out with all the cool people, meet new ones and have a lot of fun.”

Lisa Malley, junior, Saddleback

“Soccer rules. We are a team, and each player works as hard as can be to improve and make everyone better. It’s a rush.”

Jeremiah Nelson, 17, senior, Orange Lutheran

“The Red Cross Club--it helps the community a great deal. In the Laguna fire our YiES team--Youth in Emergency Services--provided lots of help. Our club also opened up a shelter at our school when the Villa Park fire happened.”

Shang-Hun Chuang, 16, sophomore, Villa Park

“The newspaper, because it allows you to express your thoughts and feelings to everybody.”

Bindu Kota, 15, sophomore, Huntington Beach

“ ‘Peace Pilots: A Racial Harmony Project.’ It is affiliated with the Green Circle, and we teach second-graders about prejudice and open-mindedness.”

Dixie Patel, 17, senior, Cornelia Connelly

“The French club. We learn about the culture and style of the country. I really enjoy the activities--like going to French plays and ballets.”

Rennie Soga, 17, senior, Western

“Key Club. It is a great way to meet new people and help out with our community.”

Jennifer Rizzo, 16, junior, Fountain Valley

“The Physics Club. It’s fun and challenging.”

Jeff Henry, 17, senior, Cypress

“The Key Club. Even though I’m not in it, I like to see how they’re helping the community.”

Iristina Allen, 16, junior, Loara

“Flotsam and Jetsam, because I love to write.”

Lori Mitchell, 15, sophomore, Newport Harbor

“Key Club and Interact Club because they are dedicated to the betterment of their environment. These two organizations help students get directly involved with their communities and allow them to meet other students from other parts of the state and country.”

Purnima Raghunathan, 16, junior, Troy

“Interact Club because they do things out of the kindness of their heart to help others in need.”

Sam Yudin, 17, senior, Los Alamitos

“I like American Field Service because it’s really interesting to learn about all the different cultures and see how other people live.”

Alan Jones, 17, junior, Irvine

“Student Council is the most active organization on campus. Through its leadership many activities are accomplished throughout the student body.”

Cam Tran, senior, Saddleback

“Unlimited Warranty. The people in the group respect each other. We get along well and have fun during our practices. We’re like a family. Also, we get to tour and play our music every spring break and see other parts of the country.”

Chad Griswold, 16, junior, Orange Lutheran

“Friday Night Live, or FNL. This is my favorite because I believe in the anti-drug message the club stands for.”

Zach Webb, 16, sophomore, Villa Park

“Baseball, because I like to play it.”

Raphael Susskind, 14, freshman, Huntington Beach

“Interact Club because we have funding outside of school and therefore we are able to do many service activities.”

April Feary, 17, senior, Cornelia Connelly

* Responses gathered by Leeza Dunog, Santiago; Roxeanne McGraw, Cypress; Eve Winnick, Loara; Katrina Tangen, Newport Harbor; Corey Griffin, Troy; Amber Pierce, Los Alamitos; Amy Chen, Brea Olinda; Tricia Michels, Fountain Valley; Robert Wenzel, Irvine; Priscilla Leite, Saddleback; Lauren Dunn, Orange Lutheran; Jennifer Tobkin, Villa Park; Amy Woo, Huntington Beach; Gina Tercero, Cornelia Connelly; Lisa Lobo, Western.