An update on a

A QUICK CLUB UPDATE

Animal Allies

ABIGAIL JANSEN staff writer

RHEA PATNEY news editor

The Animal Allies club was founded last year by then-junior Cecilie Horwitz. It combines students’ compassion for animals with helping those in need.

“People forget that we’re not the only ones suffering,” Horwitz said. “I had just volunteered at the humane society, and I saw that they had an increase of animals that needed support. They needed a lot of resources, so I wanted to have a pet supply drive. Later, I thought, ‘Why don’t I just start a club where we can just do stuff like this all the time?’”

The club is currently focused on raising money for animals in need. They are creating crafts like bracelets to sell, and all proceeds gathered will go towards the World Wildlife Foundation’s efforts to help animals affected by the Australian bushfires, where an estimated one billion animals have been killed.

“Right now, our focus is on Australia, and [we’re] trying to raise some funds to send over there, even if it’s a small amount,” club sponsor and social studies teacher Riley Keltner said. “Anything helps them.”

Later this semester, the club plans to begin its second spring shelter drive for the Animal Protective Association, a St. Louis-based animal rescue and adoption center. They also hope to organize a field trip to visit the APA center and spend time with animals waiting for adoption. “I think it’s pretty easy to get involved,” senior club member Lizzy Feinberg said. “It’s not something that’s going to take a lot of time, but it’s also really rewarding because you’re doing something for the better.”

Club Neuro Club Neuro members will be competing in the Brain Bee Feb. 29 at Washington University in St. Louis. The competition is focused on neuroscience and based out of the Brain Facts Book, published by the Society for Neuroscience. The competition consists of a written exam and a triple elimination oral exam to determine the winner.

DECA After competing in the district competition Feb. 4, qualifying Distributive Education Clubs of America competitors will compete at state March 22–24 and internationals April 29–May 2. Students will compete in events such as Hospitality and Tourism Research and Sports and Entertainment Marketing Series.

Spanish Honor Society Spanish Honor Society will have teenagers from the World Pediatric Project, a program that offers medical aid to children in developing countries, come to Ladue to shadow students. They aim to show these patients what an American education is like.

Speech and Debate The Ladue Talking Rams will be competing at the Marquette Invitational Feb. 14 and 15. Then, the team will move on to Missouri State High Sch00l Activities Association and National Speech and Debate Association district competitions. Qualifiers from NSDA will move on to the national tournament June 14–19.