by Eimaan Virani January 18, 2022
In continuation of the CHS Club Spotlights series, this week we are interviewing the fun-loving and diverse Skate Club!
The Kingpins’ Skate Club is yet another new addition to the CHS club roster. Founded earlier this year by co-presidents A’Layna Phillips and Lauren Oliver, Skate Club was established in hopes that it would inspire other elks to join the skating community. Recently discovering the different methods of skating themselves, the two girls found the activity to be the perfect way to blow off steam. They wished everyone could come together, learn, have fun, and skate! In the age of COVID-19 and the rise of numerous social movements, The Kingpins were driven by a need for increased diversity and unity here on CHS. The two friends wanted the club to be a safe space in which skaters could communicate, confide, and work together. Each and every day, they strive to be inclusive no matter a person’s age, race, orientation, religion, etc. Phillips and Oliver fully run and organize all events and club meetings that take place (the club is fully student-operated!). For them and many of our fellow elks, skating is more than just a hobby, it’s a lifestyle.
You may be thinking: “What's the point of joining if I don't know how to skateboard?” Skate Club isn’t just for skateboarders. You can join Skate Club if you rollerblade, rollerskate, ice skate, bike, even scooter! If you are like me, and you have incredibly poor balance, you don’t even have to skate at all. The Skate Club members, while they organize club bonding events at skate parks and roller rinks, also established the club to teach the history of skating. At every club meeting, A’Layna and Lauren conduct icebreakers, present a well-curated powerpoint about a key figure in the skating community, provide snacks, and do fun activities and games.
In this new year, Skate Club will continue working to recruit new members, establish community relations, teach the history of skating and skaters, and (obviously) skate. One project that Skate Club plans to continue throughout this year is their Food Drive. The drive is currently ongoing and will continue accepting kind donations of any non-perishable food items to C160. All donations and proceeds will be directed to food shelters across the Dayton area. A’Layna and Lauren also hope that in 2022, Skate Club orders their club t-shirts and is able to improve outreach on their Instagram, @kingpinskateclub.