Across Cypress Ranch High School, students are stepping up to make a positive impact on the world around them. From supporting younger learners to advocating for animals and empowering student voices, three clubs are proving that service does not require grand gestures—just passion, purpose and a little teamwork.

Connecting Students Across Borders

For junior Brianna Chu, helping others learn is more than a hobby—it’s a mission. As an officer for Connect Me Tutoring, she works with a national organization dedicated to providing free academic support to students both in the U.S. and around the world.

“The Connect Me Tutoring club [is a] national organization that helps tutor kids who are struggling academically online,” Chu said. “We tutor kids domestically and internationally where we help them with their reading, their writing and help them improve in school.”

The idea grew out of the early days of the pandemic, when many students struggled without stable access to teachers or classrooms.

“It started just after COVID,” Chu said. “The founder kind of recognized a lack of support system for kids who couldn’t go to school regularly, so he decided to offer tutoring at no cost.”

Since then, the impact has grown dramatically on campus.

“Last year we had a handful of students and then this year we’ve really expanded [to] maybe 30 kids,” Chu said. “Each of us has at least one student, [and] there’s a lot of tutoring hours that get put in every week.”

For those considering joining, she says the reasons are simple and meaningful: “It’s a great way to give back to the community, earn volunteer hours and build your leadership and teaching ability,” she said.

Giving Animals a Voice

Another club making a difference is Paws of Hope, an animal-focused volunteer and advocacy group that includes junior Anka Kong.

“Paws of Hope is dedicated to helping animals in need,” Kong said. “We usually do volunteer opportunities at shelters and donate food and resources for animals. We have meetings to spread awareness for animal cruelty, and] we also have socials to promote closer bonds with our community.”

While the club is new to many this year, the inspiration behind it has deep roots.

“There was a club a few years ago called Affinity for Animals,” Kong shared. “It eventually died off because the sponsor couldn’t do it anymore, [but] the president and vice president of that club still remember it. Then they started it this summer as Paws of Hope.”

Members not only make a tangible difference for local shelters, but they also get a chance to step into leadership roles.

“You get volunteering hours, help out animals, which is always cool, and there are officer elections soon as well if you are interested in leadership,” Kong said.

Empowering Voices, Inspiring Change

Sophomore Joseph Barsoum is helping build a different kind of community impact, one rooted in confidence, creativity and advocacy. His club, Voices of Change, encourages students to speak up through media and storytelling.

“So me, Elly and Jenny wanted to start a club,” Barsoum said. “We found out that we are really shy about using our voices. And then Elly came up with an idea: ‘Why don’t we make a club promoting using our voices?’”

The club uses art and media to promote awareness on topics members care about.

“At our first meeting, everybody picks what form of media they want to do,” Barsoum explained. “We do short films, videos [and] posters based on a topic members are passionate about. They advocate using their voice.”

Their work will soon reach a wider audience, both online and on campus.

“We post content on Instagram and TikTok,” Barsoum said. “And we are hoping to put some articles in the school newspaper. Elly will talk to the administration about putting posters around the school.”

Small Actions, Big Difference

Whether strengthening education, protecting animals or helping students find the courage to speak, these three clubs prove that change begins right here—in classrooms, club meetings and conversations led by students who care.

This month, Cypress Ranch celebrates them. And maybe, their work will inspire a few more people to join in and help build a kinder, stronger community for everyone.