Freshmen Erin Hunter and Riley Rose help set up for the annual Sweetheart dance. Photo provided: Jordan Kelly
By Isabelle Miller
Since 1901, Sunshine Society has been inspiring young women to be creative and giving them the freedom to express themselves in many different ways.
The core values of Sunshine Society are “sisterhood and philanthropy–seeking to build sisterhood between the girls in our school and ladies in the community as well as to serve our student body and community,” said facilitator of Sunshine Society Ms. Kristin Dorland. Sunshine Society is an all girls club that gives girls skills they can use later in life. Junior Kizzy Schuler said, “I have gained leadership and commitment skills from Sunshine Society.”
Activities Sunshine Society does for the school and the community are the Sweetheart dance, February Matchmaker, Ideal Lady, and participation in Riley Dance Marathon. This year they are adopting a family and making a donation to Student Council’s annual Christmas breakfast. Sweetheart dance is the annual dance in mid-November hosted by Sunshine Society. In January students fill out a questionnaire and receive matches that are based on the answers the week of Valentine’s Day. Ideal Lady is an event for senior girls to honor a woman who has inspired them. Co-President senior Emmelyn Brandt said, “I like that we get to do Ideal Lady our senior year and get to tell somebody in our life that they had played such an important role in the person that we have become.” This year they are participating in the Riley Dance Marathon, the annual fundraiser for Riley’s Children’s Hospital.
Sunshine Society Co- President Sidney Listenberger was in charge of the refreshments at the annual Sweetheart dance. Photo provided: Jordan Kelly
Creativity is an important part of Sunshine Society. When they organize such events as the annual Sweetheart dance, everybody gets to participate in the planning. After the official theme is picked, they start the planning for the decorations and the refreshments. “I liked the freedom you had to kind of add your own touch and be creative. All ideas were accepted and [tried] to put into the dance,” said sophomore Audrey Pratt. Planning and decorating for the dance is a good time of making friends and fun for all who participate. It is also a good opportunity to get to know the new members. Upperclassmen like senior Sommer McClellan said, “I like getting to know some underclassmen who I barely know.”
Many of the girls, including the officers, agree this club has changed their high school experience. For freshman Riley Rose, Sunshine Society is a place she can go if she needs help. “Sunshine Society has changed my high school experience because I know if I am going through a hard time, or something terrible happened I can go to a wonderful group of girls,” said Rose. Sunshine Society is a tight knit group of girls who support each other and make new friends. Co-President senior Sidney Listenberger said her favorite part of Sunshine is the fun things they get to do together.
Sunshine Society has been inspiring young women for over a century and continues this tradition at Plymouth High School