by Rain Gresham

Everyday life is filled with stress, whether that be school, work, or responsibilities. A place to be yourself is desirable, a place like say, Tea Club.  

Tea Club was founded in 2019 by dedicated student September Kaugchak when people were in most need of a relaxing social club — a place where people could come together, talk, and relax over their shared love of tea without the stress of the real world. 

Stepping inside students could feel the difference, the stress of bustling hallways during school hours melting away as they stepped into the surreal welcomeness of Tea Club. 

“Everybody talks to each other,” said German teacher and sponsor Lisa Stumler. She makes sure that everyone stays safe and has fun. 

From the Blackberry citrus to Darjeeling, Tea Club is full of all kinds of tea fitted for all types of different students to come together and enjoy the simplicity. 

“I realized being a part of something that can help students develop their social skills is one of the key elements to them being successful adults,” stated French teacher and sponsor Dana Schenk.

Everybody has their own ways of falling into the things they love, whether that be a friend, a student, or even just stumbling upon it. 

“Ms Schenk, the French teacher, she mentioned she was asked to be the teacher sponsor and she thought it’d be great if we could be teacher sponsors together, and I thought it’d be a great idea as well,” said Stumler.

“I fell into it because one of my students (current president and senior Toby Wilder) asked me if I can sponsor it and I assisted to some of those last year,” Schenk shared. 

“I saw them on eighth grade night;  they had tea bags and rainbow flags together. I thought it was cute and welcoming,” reminisced Wilder, the current co-president of Tea Club. She takes care of the fundings. 

“I joined the club because my friends invited me and I thought it was cool,” stated senior Marianna Bush, the other co-president. She plans events.

Tea Club is a social club and a successful one at that, as they rake in about 40-50 people at the beginning of each quarter.  “First weeks of the quarter always have a lot more,” emphasized Wilder

First time Tea Club goer Lilly Wright thought that it was “pretty chill. I liked the snacks and tea.”

Visitors walking into the Media Center after school on an average Friday would be met with the sight of Wilder and Bush setting up the tea and snacks. 

Making way to one of the tables, you could interact with any of the people in the club. 

Once everyone has gathered and they have finished setting up the tables, Bush and Wilder come around telling people they could now go up to grab  tea and snacks.

The selection of tea bags to choose from varies drastically, from sweet to savory to earthy. 

Wilder and Bush make sure of that. The two cherish the club and think of it as home, away from home a place where they can relax from the stress of the week. 

The club has been a big part of their life for the past four years and even after they graduate from high school, it will hold a place in their hearts. 

 “I want it to continue, as it was found as a safe space for people,” said Wilder.