Name/School: Abby Wilson, Albert Einstein High School

Organization: Happiness Club

What is the Happiness Club?

I just started the Happiness Club this year at my school. The mission is simple: we create opportunities for students spread happiness throughout our school and community.

How did the idea for this club come about?

This idea came about when one of my mom’s friend sent an email from Project Happiness saying that they are looking for people to bring Project Happiness at their school so I decided to try. I never got the grant from Project Happiness, but I still am continuing to do the club.

How did you get it started?

I got started by going to my 9th grade English teacher who agreed that it was a good idea. We meet every Wednesday during lunch and discuss upcoming projects.

What type of projects do you do?

Our first project was called 14 Days of Love in which every day leading up to Valentine’s Day, we suggested actions big and small related to self-love and giving love. On the first day, we encouraged students to treat themselves to a chocolate bar to make them happy. The next day, we walked around and passed out lollipops during lunch. On the final day (Feb. 14) we hosted a bake sale. Since most Happiness Club members are bakers, it was an easy thing to do. We allowed money donations but we gave some treats out for free.

What has been your favorite moment so far?

My favorite moment so far… that’s hard because Happiness Club is all fun and games, which is a lot of fun. I love it when we can all get together and just spread happiness because it makes us feel happy.

Where do you see the Happiness Club in five years?

In five years I will not be at AEHS because I would have just left Einstein, sadly, but hopefully I can find a new president to take over for me. I also hope that my teacher sponsor will also keep it going.

Can other schools start their own Happiness Club?

I definitely believe that other schools can make their own Happiness Clubs because it is very easy to run and there are so many ideas anyone can come up with for new projects.

Anything else you’d like to share?

Happiness Club was a lot of fun to do and it doesn’t just help others be happy… it helps yourself become happy. And also, I would just like to thank my mom, Project Happiness, Ms. Mauer, Kirsten, Lauren, Emma, Julie, Katelyn, and Amber for helping me start the Happiness Club and thanks for all the help/support and hopefully the Happiness Club will get bigger as we go!