Last year, the medical club started with 30 members and ended the year with 70. Now that number has nearly doubled, with 130 students joining this year.

“When we started it, we just needed a group of, we just had a group of kids that really wanted to get into different parts of the medical field. So it was just a small group of them and we didn’t know how big it would get, but, it definitely got big this year,” club sponsor Casey Rector said.

“I’d say it’s pretty cool. I’m really glad we have this much people because it really just shows that we have a lot of students that are really determined into like, pursuing their passions and that passion being the medical field,” club founder Alex Nguyen (12) said.

However, there are a few challenges that come with having a club this big.

“We have a lot of members that just don’t contribute as much because we already have like, a lot of people doing everything we need, so a lot of members are just sitting there. And really just organizing everything is becoming quite a challenge, but I think we’ll get through it,” Nguyen said.

Even with the large number of students already in the club, there’s a reason why even more students are wanting to join.

“I think a lot of students wanted to join the club this year because I feel like there’s a wide, like range of opportunities in the medical club for students who want to be in the medical field,” club officer Mary Tran (12) said.

“We always hear about the different shortages,” Rector said. “So, more of Southeast kids that get out there and get into different professions, anything from CNA, phlebotomist, getting into medical school, nursing school, PT, we have some interest in dentistry. So we need, we need everyone out there.”