Rise and Connect Club

It is natural for human beings to yearn for a community. In 2025, Rise and Connect was created. Its advisor, Ms. Robinson, a very caring educator, thought of a club that would create a safe space for students who feel that they don’t belong or simply for a place to make new friends. 

Rise and Connect is a club that creates a place where students can rise from their fears and connect with others that have those similar feelings. 

Some of the events the members have done are: Positive Chalk and Pizza, handed out Breast Cancer Awareness Month bracelets, participated in the Trunk or Treat event at JMS, organized the Buddy Photobooth for Valentines Day, done a scavenger hunt field trip in Downtown Riverside, and prepared numerous games to destress during exam season. 

The Positive Chalk and Pizza event was an activity to draw and write positive messages to put around the whole PHS campus. Students got the chance to “feel like they belonged by helping others feel like they belong too”. According to many of the club members, these are some of their favorite events so far. One of my personal favorites was the organized scrap and yap event that gave students time to be creative and make things that showed their creativity while connecting with the community. 

As humans, we yearn for community. True community is a relationship to entertainment, a space to talk and support one another. At Rise and Connect, there is someone to welcome you when you step in the room. The club has also begun The Patriot Pantry, a place where students in need can gather school and personal supplies, snacks, and boxes of food items to take to their families.

“Everyone wants a village, but no one wants to be a villager.”

In our interview, Mrs. Robinson and I were able to talk about our own experiences. For both of us, Patriot HS is not only our school but it’s also our “village”. But a “village” requires work and putting in the work. Often we want a community but it requires showing up. Many families of students fall in need from time to time and the pantry is there to provide assistance. It is okay to ask for help.

Kindness is free and when it is done, big or small. It can change the trajectory of somebody’s life. 

Another teacher, Mrs. Dochnahl always says “You are the future”. This really stays with me because it is me and my generation that will shape and provide hope for our future. 

Rise and Connect meets every Tuesday at lunch in T3.