by Areli Hernandez Romero

Anchor Club is a dedicated and supportive organization that allows the young women of JHS who are sophomores, juniors, and seniors to express their ideas and themselves while also engaging in community service. This year, with the help of sponsors and the supporting team, Anchor Club is excited to announce its upcoming season. 

Club sponsor Michell Densford said at the beginning of each season, each member is welcomed by an “initiation,” which acts as the formal induction to Anchor Club that each member must attend.  

“We always do an initiation. This is where you come and get a certificate, flower, and light a candle,” she said.

Members who participate for two years, including their senior year, are eligible to receive a chord that represents their dedication to the community.

Francesca Hernandez, who is also a club sponsor, refers to the “executive board” as members who are an influential foundation of Anchor club. 

“Before we go over anything, the executive board goes over projects we want to do and are doing. They’re the head of the projects and make sure the girls are acting right,” said Hernandez. 

Club president and Senior Cassidy Tomlin finds leadership a priority to help support members and ensure that their ideas are heard.

“So, I really try to make sure that I see all sides from all of the levels of the executive board, making sure all their opinions are being considered and making sure that they have a well-respected leader,” she said. 

Her previous experiences in clubs encouraged her to join Anchor Club to seek new experiences.

“I’ve been in Anchor Club since sophomore year, and I joined because. I wanted to give back to my community. I’m a Girl Scout; I’ve been a Girl Scout since kindergarten, so I wanted to find another outlet,” said Tomlin.

I think Anchor Club is a really good way to give back to your community by serving people in Jeff, the school, also a lot of people all around the community.”

Anchor Club President Cassidy Tomlin

Junior Executive Board member Maddie Chandler nods as she mentions her experience as a member. 

“I’ve been part of Anchor Club since my sophomore year. I find all the different projects we get to do for the community interesting.”

Chandler shared the impact Anchor Club has established, as well as sharing one of her favorite projects from her previous year. 

“It’s fun being part of this club. It feels like you have a lot of girls that are your friends, and you get to do new things you wouldn’t normally do. We went to Midwest Village, a nursing home. We made tide blankets for the residents. It was fun doing that.” 

Sophomore Executive Board Member Haliun Otgonbayar is in her first year as a member. She anticipates contributing to the community with her friend, sophomore Samantha Dues. 

“As an Anchor Club executive board member, I’m looking forward to being more involved in the community and helping people. I joined Anchor Club because not only is it a great community, but I’m hoping to plan new events and fundraisers and anything related.”

Dues, who is also in her first year as an executive board member, also anticipates organizing plans in contribution to Anchor Club along with people she cares about. 

“To go off that, I’m also excited to plan events for the community, while doing it with the people I love.  I joined because I wanted to help support, to make the environment even better,” she said.

Densford is satisfied with the efforts of each member and their contributions to make the club great. She proudly mentions the support of the girls and how they are representing themselves in JHS. 

“I like the sisterhood, the girls coming together as a group, supporting each other, holding each other accountable, and holding themselves to a higher standard than what the school does; it’s wonderful. They represent our school well and represent themselves as wonderful young women.”

She recalled her own experience as a past “Anchor” and the influence that stood out to her. 

 “I was an Anchor too when I was in high school. We have some projects that have literally stood the test of time for over 20 years. We have ‘ringing of the bells’, Salvation Army, Steamboat nights — we all have a fun time,” said Densford. 

Hernandez proudly mentions Anchor Club being a very supportive space, giving the impression of a sisterhood sorority to many, while also encouraging them to become remarkable leaders. 

“It’s a wonderful community with great ideas. In a way, they’re future leaders. It’s a very responsible club, and all the girls are doing great things, just being great people. We are making very good future leaders.” She added, “Everybody has their own creative freedom with Anchor Club.”

Tomlin described the Anchor Club community as an organization worth joining for those who want to serve their community. 

“I think Anchor Club is a really good way to give back to your community by serving people in Jeff, the school, also a lot of people all around the community. I think it’s a really good idea to join if you want to give back and be a part of a sisterhood, and just experience some fun new things.”

Anchor Club has stood out with its unique sense of sisterhood and teamwork, leaving fellow sponsors and members with great memories they will cherish in the future.  

“If they want to be a part of a really supportive club, then this is a club for them. We do anything we can for the students of JHS and for the community, and I think that’s what makes it beautiful, a fun place to be. If you know a successful woman, they were probably an anchor,” said Densford.

Additional reporting by Parker Vibbert.