Public Policy club held their first meeting with over 15 members on Feb. 4 at the Meyerland Teahouse to gain interest, present a club overview and discuss future plans and major events occurring soon, such as a “Sick-out” on Feb. 12. 

The Bellaire chapter of Public Policy club, founded by junior Mallika Mohan and Community Voices for Public Education employee Kylie Mavris, aims to help students voice their concerns on local issues including expressing personal concerns over issues within their own education.

“In high school, I was looking for an avenue to get involved in politics, but high school doesn’t prepare you for anything,” Mavris said. “I wanted politics to become more of a conversation in these schools and for students to know what’s going on in their school or what’s going on in their school district.”

While students like Mavris were unable to find a way into activism when they were in high school, Public Policy club hopes to solve that problem by creating a space where students can discuss and act on their beliefs. 

“[Our goal is] to make sure students are more engaged with public policy and for students to be able to understand politics at a deeper level,” Mavris said. “I want to figure out what these students are passionate about and show them the way to get there and how to advocate for that.”

One of Mavris’s biggest hopes for the club is for students to take away lifelong skills from their experiences at the club, providing them a foundation within public policy for future endeavours.

“I think one of the biggest draws to this club is the ability to go to board meetings, speak to reporters and to feel all the tangible experience this club could give you,” Mavris said.

Such positive outreach encouraged students like sophomore Jahnavi Raman to attend the meeting. Raman learned about possible actions she could take, including upcoming forms of protest against the Texas Education Agency.

“I learned a lot about what I could be doing,” Raman said. “For example, the ‘Sick-out’ that’s happening. I don’t know if I’ll participate in it, but these things that they are organizing are very interesting.”

After learning about the plans the club has, junior Rajan Vyas stated his optimism for the future of the club and what they stand for. 

“This club represents something I’m really passionate about,” Vyas said. “It directly impacts my future. I want to have a voice.