New experiences.
That’s one of the Balloon Animal Club’s goals – to make sure that at every meeting, people have fun, even if they have little experience.
The Balloon Animal Club had its first meeting Dec. 3 in Room 1217. Junior Isabella Hoye leads the club as the president. There is normally a meeting every two weeks. Information about upcoming meetings can be found on the PHS Balloon Animal Club Instagram.
“At our first meeting, we had around 1o people show up, but the last one that we had, there was closer to 20.” Hoye said. “It was really cool to see those numbers double for sure.”
Although the Balloon Animal Club has only met twice so far, students have already said that they are excited to come to more meetings throughout the year.
“The first meetings were so fun,” junior Abigail McGregor said. “I’m really looking forward to more in the future.”
Every week, Hoye announces what the members of the club will create with the balloons. Information about the meeting times, and themes are posted on the Balloon Animal Club Instagram.
“The creation of the week is something that I choose about a week before the meeting,” Hoye said.”That way people know if they want to come or not.”
The balloon club’s average meeting usually starts with Hoye telling everyone the creation of the week and going around to everyone’s table to help people who may be struggling.
“It’s always fun to learn with other people,” McGregor said. “Isabella makes it really fun and easy for us to learn.”
Hoye made the Balloon Animal Club to try and teach people how they could make balloon animals themselves.
“I’ve always liked making balloon animals,” Hoye said. “People would always ask me how to make them, so I just thought it was a good idea to start a club to help people learn.”
A few members in the Balloon Animal Club are close friends with Hoye. That’s how they were originally informed about the formation of the club.
“I wanted to join the club because my best friend made it,” junior Lilly Westphal said. “It seemed like fun and I wanted to know how to make them myself.”
Hoye said she wants to keep the Balloon Animal Club going until she graduates and hopes to have someone take over for her once she leaves.
“I hope that the club can keep going for at least a few more years.” Westphal said. “It’s a really good opportunity to meet new people and to possibly make new friends.”
Hoye brought this club to life during the first semester of her junior year. She said her goal is for the club to keep going even after she graduates, and hopes that students who have a passion for creativity join the Animal Balloon Club.
“If you’ve ever had an interest in balloon animals, you should 100% come to at least one meeting.” Hoye said. “Even if it’s not for you then at least you know, but we always want more people to come have a fun time. “
