As a new year begins, many opportunities to get involved in clubs, teams, and other organizations present themselves. One of the many clubs would be the California Scholarship Federation (CSF).

This club motivates students to get involved in the community, sponsors services and fundraisers such as Star Tree and the Cinco de Mayo lunch. CSF also teaches students about different colleges. Students who wish to become eligible must meet certain academic requirements.

“”It feels good to help others and make them happy like when we gave Christmas gifts to needy children through the Salvation Army,”” Hillary Kell, ’05, said.

CSF was proposed at a convention held in Oakland in 1916 for high school principals. Charles F. Seymour, vice-principal of the National High School in San Diego County, pictured a statewide organization to honor outstanding students.

Over the years, schools nationwide have adopted CSF and turned it into a highly esteemed and prestigious club. CSF also has a branch for middle schools called California Junior Scholarship Federation (CJSF), responsible for strengthening the participation of upcoming CSF members.

CSF also offers many rewards and privileges: getting off campus for lunch, wearing a special pin and gold cord to signify club membership at the graduation ceremony, and college scholarships nationwide. If the student is a lifetime member of CSF, he/she receives a special seal on their high school diploma.

“I am in CSF for scholarships and other perks,” Elise Aydellote,’05, said. “My friends also do CSF so I enjoy spending time with them. It looks good on transcripts and applications too.”

For the past seven years, Molly Sargent has been the CSF adviser, but this year Ellen King, bible class teacher, will be taking over adviser duties.

“I volunteered,” King said. “I was the helper last year. Thought it would be fun to do.” King does not plan to change anything about the club this year.

To learn more information on CSF, CJSF, or the history of CSF, log onto www.CSF-CJSFstateboard.org. For any other information on the club, King can be reached at [email protected] or at (559) 299-1695, ext. 167.

For students who would like to become CSF members, applications are due by Sept. 12. The first CSF meetings will be Sept. 19 in Room 606. For the students who wish to attend the college trip to southern California on Nov.15-17, money is due by Sept. 26.