“I think it’s easy as a high schooler to be wrapped up with everything that’s going on in your life and to sometimes not really realize that the things going on around you can affect your life,” French teacher Madame Lumetta said.

   Every Tuesday during Liberty Hour B, Current Events Club meets to discuss that week’s worldly events. Madame Lumetta believes that high schoolers need to be informed about what is not directly affecting them, but is affecting those around the world. This persuaded her and some of her students to begin the Current Events Club.

   “The things that are happening today affect the choices they will have, not only today but also in the future. It is better to be well informed than unaware,” Lumetta said.

   High schoolers are able to join together and become informed and help inform others in the club about what has happened recently.

   “I’ve always been interested in debate and current events,” sophomore Alison Potter said. “Madame Lumetta is my French teacher, so I thought it’d be the perfect thing to do.”

   Current Events Club welcomes anyone who is interested in things other than what directly impact their lives. Students may join at any time, as long as they are willing to share their opinions and respect those of others. Students who are considering coming to the club’s meetings are recommended, but not required, to spend time looking at the news to have a view on the events of the week.

   Students have had chances to discuss events that have caused major uproar around the world such as Ferguson, Paris and gun rights.

   “When we talk about guns, that is one of the things that really sparks a lot of debate, there is definitely a lot of opinions about that, especially around here,” junior Sadie Jess said.

   Although many of the topics debated in Current Events Club are intensely controversial, they have yet to come to a topic that is off limits.

   “If someone is uncomfortable we avoid it, but there isn’t anything that’s said off limits in current events club,” Jess said. “We are just very careful to respect other people’s opinions. There’s a lot of respect in the club.”

   The tragic events that have occurred in the past months are not unfamiliar news to many, including the Current Events Club. The topics discussed in the club can be very humbling. The students involved in the club recognize the impact and importance each event has on the world.

   “[After a meeting] I reflect on what is happening beyond my own world and things that people are going through that I wouldn’t necessarily experience,” Potter said.

   Ferguson, gun rights, gay marriage and the attacks on Paris have been major points of discussion that have provoked many debates. With topics as controversial as those, there are many opinions and different views. However, Madame Lumetta makes sure the club is centered around respect.

   “Madame really puts a focus on don’t disrespect someone else’s opinion because it is an opinion and it changes, just present your side and argue it properly,” sophomore Rafae Pasha said.

   “[The main atmosphere in the club is] not calm, but it’s not up there and highly energetic. It’s civilized and sophisticated,” Pasha said.