Slavic Club of Aliso Niguel

  During their meetings, the Slavic Club centers around teaching and learning about the Slavic culture at Aliso Niguel High School.

  “I’m Russian-American, so I grew up in a very unique culture and realized pretty early on in high school how little people know about Slavic countries and lifestyles. I created the Slavic Culture Club to be that Eastern European representation I wanted to see on campus. I hope to encourage students and staff to learn about Eastern European cultures and engage in discussions surrounding it. Additionally, I want to create a community on campus for fellow Eastern European students, especially at such a difficult time,” said Sonya Tarnovsky (12), the President of the Slavic Club. 

  On the Aliso Niguel school campus, many students have moved here from different countries, many of whom came from European and Slavic countries. Sonya hopes to promote inclusivity to those who may feel alone in the school. 

  “We wanted to share all of the beautiful cultures we grew up around as well as negate some of the negative stigma surrounding Slavic countries,” said Al Kuznetsov (12), the vice president of the Slavic Club. 

  Due to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, there is negativity towards the Slavic nations; however, it is essential to recognize that innocent civilians do not partake in political conflict and that the culture is still beautiful. 

  “We mostly discuss lifestyle, history, and culture in club meetings. We do this by discussing topics related to the arts, literature, holidays, and many others. We often like to bring snacks and activities for club members so they can better understand what fellow officers and I grew up with. To me, this is vital when it comes to empathizing and learning about new cultures,” said Sonya. 

  Although simple, the club’s teaching of Slavic culture is accessible for all grade-level students to understand. The environment where the club meetings are held is comfortable and welcoming, as the club leaders greet members as they walk in. 

  “I joined the club because I knew nothing about Slavic culture and wanted to expand my knowledge. I aim to use this knowledge to promote inclusivity,” said Kat Tran (11), a club member. 

  There are no rules or requirements to join the club as it is open to all students who wish to learn about a new culture and connect with people alike. This club provides carefree learning to those interested in expanding their knowledge. 

  “Right now, all our club officers are seniors; I hope to connect with more underclassmen to keep this club running past our graduation. If the right people are passionate enough and willing to put in the effort needed, then this could be a perfect thing for our campus and community,” said Sonya.

  Those who want to become leaders or be involved in the club are encouraged to attend meetings and converse with the leaders.