For anyone who has a passion for history, the Sonoma State History Club is an opportunity to be educated, engaged and enlightened about history. 

This club, full of intelligent, diligent students, offers a great deal of intellectual, stimulating ways to learn about history. 

Anyone can join History Club, meaning undergraduate, graduate, extended education students and students of any major or minor as long as they have a love for history and want to help create a diverse atmosphere for anyone who loves learning about the past. 

The club explores the past by relating it to the present and future through social and intellectual exchanges in a stimulating environment. 

The History Club offers many outlets to promote the appreciation of history through lectures, seminars, workshops, activities, events, media and field trips.

Jocoya Fox-Jones became the president in fall 2012. She joined the club because of her passion and love for history. 

She believes that “if you like something, you want to be active in it,” which is why she joined the club. History Club integrates her favorite interests, so she jumped at the opportunity to join the club. 

Fox-Jones owes her presidency spot to Natalie Sampo, treasurer of History Club. 

“If [Sampo] did not appear, our club would be missing a vital and diligent young lady.” 

The club is full of many field trips and activities that make the club intriguing and active. 

Fox-Jones said that her favorite activity was going to Alcatraz for a night tour field trip. 

“About 20 members explored Alcatraz’s history, tourism and several vibrant characters,” said Fox-Jones. “I’m not going to lie, the scary factor at our night tour was pretty sweet-sauce! We are planning another Alcatraz field trip Saturday, April 5.” 

Last Saturday, the club celebrated National History Day with an event at Sonoma Academy. 

The theme of the event was Rights and Responsibilities in history. Several history majors volunteered as judges for National History Day. 

“This [was] our second time volunteering for this event. Last time, it was only five of us, now more than 25 History Club members volunteered,” said Fox-Jones. “National History Day is nationwide academic program sponsored by the History Channel for elementary and secondary school students to engage in historical research.” 

There was also an opportunity to show support for those who were not able to volunteer at the day time event. 

The National History Day’s Reward Ceremony followed the event at 4 p.m., where students from the History Club also got the chance to volunteer and support the hard working children. 

The senior division, 9-12 grade, was critiqued on their historical papers, exhibits, performance, documentaries, 2-D displays and websites. 

The students were observed on their research, analysis, interpretation, development and representation. 

National History Day aids in the development of attributes that are critical for the students’ future success. 

These attributes include critical thinking and problem solving skills, research and reading skills, oral and written communication, presentation skills, sense of responsibility and confidence. 

The History Club holds a large influence on its community and shows it with the many field trips, activities and volunteer opportunities that it offers. 

If interested in joining the History Club and its upcoming activities, it can be found on Facebook under Sonoma State History Club. 

The History Club holds meetings for hellos, updates and brainstorming in Alexander Valley on the second floor of the Student Center. Their next meetings will be March 25, March 27 and April 17 starting at noon.