AMEN, TO THAT!

Igot the opportunity to sit down with Connie Fields, a senior at Garfield, to discuss her new and established club, Bulldog Faith. She expressed her deep passion for not only having a positive relationship with God but also maintaining a positive relationship with her friends and loved ones. The club is overseen by Fields, accompanied by Junior Kate Fiso, who she hopes to pass the Bulldog Faith baton to after she graduates. The two bonded over the idea of not only strengthening their relationship with God, but also with themselves. The idea of starting the club began with a conversation surrounding a specific day in school celebrating Christianity. This developed their mutual ambition of “spreading God’s word to the youth and sharing [their] testimonies”, Fields said. Fields and Fiso strive to make their club discussion oriented and are continuously diligent about making sure everyone who attends club meetings has a space to be heard. Creating this space wasn’t only to talk about God, but to also create community and a space for students to speak freely. This club allows students to also be able to relate to each other about different issues and topics. Some students have difficulty talking to adults, so this space makes it possible for those in the meeting to relate to each other. “We don’t know everything so having people ask questions creates community” Fields said when asked about the community within her club. Fields wanted to make it known that her club was not just for Christians but also for students who identify with other religions. Fields also touches on the way the duo sets up the club conversations, “We used to bounce back and forth between PowerPoints but we thought it gave ‘teacher vibes’. We do this circle now where everyone is more included. We freely talk and usually it’s about a topic that Katie and I come up with. We read from the Bible and stories.”

The way that Fields stays connected with God and maintains her positivity is by going to church and reflecting on how she can implement what she’s learned into her life. When asked about extending Bulldog Faith outside of Garfield and into her own community, Fields considered the idea, “I never thought about bringing it outside of the school, but I am planning a project in the south end of Seattle”. Fields urges members to not only discuss topics with other club members, but to share what they’ve learned in discussions with family and friends. “Take what we say and run with know how the your life,” Fields dog Faith and meet in Room Wednesdays during lunch. Even though Bulldog Faith is fairly new to Garfield, Connie Fields hopes to make a mark on Garfield and the community as well.