At Segerstrom High School, the Associated Student Body (ASB) is an integral part of the student community. They build connections across the different grades by engaging students in activities constructed to raise morale and school spirit. Yet, COVID-19 has thrown an unexpected curveball — with distance learning, how can ASB expect to overcome the digital divide? What will become of much beloved events like Club Rush, dances, and dress-up days? 

Despite these challenges, Segerstrom’s Co-President Katrina Nguyen seems confident in this year’s ASB team and has put forth plans to make this year like any other. 

“Our overall vision for this year is to interact with the students as much as possible and to let them know that we are always there for them. We are committed to making this a fun year even if the events are virtual. We still want to have competitions and maybe even mail students awards. ASB is one of the only ways to keep the students connected through these hard times,” Nguyen says. 

ASB’s Club Rush event is a successful example of Nguyen’s words. Entirely virtual, ASB spent much time coordinating social media accounts, designing and posting flyers, and even creating a video that featured all clubs with their respective presidents. “It was very easy to navigate through the different clubs, and I could easily join any of them at the click of a button,” Bella Do, a Segerstrom junior, recalls. 

But it’s not just Club Rush that students will be able to enjoy. As the holiday season approaches, ASB has events planned for the whole month of October. From October 12th to 16th was Hispanic Heritage Week with fun dress up days like wearing one’s culture’s colors. Lasting from October 19th to 23rd is Pink Ribbon Week.

 “Some of my favorite days for Pink Ribbon Week include Tuesday, which is to post who your favorite superhero is, and Wednesday, which is to wear pink,” Nguyen says. “For October 31st, which is Halloween, we are encouraging all students to dress up as they normally would and post pictures of their costumes.” 

Many of the events that ASB has planned involve active student participation on social media, specifically Instagram. With the popularity of such apps, this seems like the perfect way to raise school spirit and keep students engaged. 

But even with technology, dances will not be made available until after a return to in-person learning. “I was considering advocating for a digital dance, but, after I attended one for Godinez High School students, I knew that it could never work. Students yelled [profanities] as soon as the dance, which was over Zoom, started. Some never turned on their cameras, and people started leaving after only five minutes,” Nguyen laughs, shaking her head. 

Although Segerstrom is making plans to convert to hybrid learning after the new year, it is unlikely that events like dances that involve large gatherings of people will be planned. Students, however, should still look forward to the variety of digital activities and events that ASB has to offer.