West Holmes History Club opens the door to learning outside the classroom

The West Holmes History Club isn’t a required class at school, but for those who invest their time and energy into teacher Nick Gerber’s club, it is an outstanding educational tool that has taught them a great deal about many of Ohio’s historical sites.

The history club is a student-driven, self-funded group dedicated to learning and sharing history. Since 2021 the members have toured some of Ohio’s greatest government institutions, historical sites and museums and met important leaders.

Over the past years, the group has attended the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland; been on the submarine USS Cod in Lake Erie; visited the state capitol, statehouse and Supreme Court in Columbus; visited the MAPS Air Museum in Massillon and Newark Earth Works; ventured to the Mansfield Reformatory, home of the movie “The Shawshank Redemption;” and explored other venues and buildings.

“All I’m trying to do is to give kids an opportunity to experience Ohio’s history in a fun and educational way,” Gerber said.

He said it’s not a class but an extracurricular kids can attend with no pressure to get a grade and no expectations other than to connect and build an appreciation for history.

In addition, the club members host an annual Veterans Day celebration for area veterans, something that has been important to many of the students.

Club members Raven Strocke, Aubrey Young, Jarah Gurley, Lizbeth Rodriguez, Jonny Shedron, Katherine Kaster, Jadyn Easterday, Jevin Zheng, Patrick Weaver and Emily Mangus are all seniors who have been around to enjoy the club offerings over the majority of their time in high school, and they had some great things to say about the experience, encouraging younger students to get involved.

"I’ve always liked history, so when I found out we had a history club, I thought it would be neat to connect with a whole club filled with people who shared that same passion,” Strocke said.

Young said when she realized how many awesome trips the club makes every year, she was fascinated with the idea of joining.

“There was such a great opportunity to learn about our history,” Young said.

Rodriguez was hoping to find a niche in which she could connect with fellow students in an extracurricular activity, and she said she hasn’t regretted it.

Gurley, who is majoring in history to become a teacher, said she wanted a more in-depth experience than what the classroom offered, and this was ideal.

The World War II USS Cod was particularly intriguing to the students because it was where real people put their lives on the line serving their country.

“We were walking where people actually fought 60 years ago,” Strocke said.

Many of the students loved the Rock Hall of Fame because it contains many of the musicians they enjoy from today as well as history’s most talented and famous individuals and groups.

Zheng has been a member all four years and said she was hooked the moment they took the first trip.

Kaster said she joined for a very specific reason.

“I wanted to be part of the annual Veterans Day breakfast,” she said. “That was important to me to honor our veterans and to hear their experiences as people in the military.”

Shedron said he enjoys history and agreed setting up the breakfast and honoring veterans has been a highlight.

Zheng said every year brings new and exciting field trips that create anticipation, and Kaster agreed.

“It’s been such a unique variety of random things we’ve visited, which makes it fun,” Kaster said.

“It’s been a lot of fun getting to get outside the classroom to experience history,” Easterday said.

If students join the club as freshman and stick with it, they will have the opportunity to participate in eight trips throughout their high school lives.

“This club creates a connection,” Strocke said, “a connection with our ancestors and with history in a way.”

One other aspect of the club is it provides a relaxing atmosphere during what can be a trying and hectic school life. The seniors agreed attending the club is a real stress reliever.

“It’s important to know where we’re from and understand our history,” Shedron said. “Mr. Gerber has made this such a fun experience.”

Zheng said this club encourages learning without facing the pressure of grades, which makes the educational part of the club more enjoyable.

“I think that tends to stay with us more because it’s fun,” Zheng said.

One other job of the club is students get to maintain the West Holmes High School Historical Museum, which is full of national events and memorabilia.

Gerber said former WHHS history teachers Brooks Harris and Bob Porter started the museum, and over the years community members have donated items to develop the museum.

There is no fee to join the WHHC. The only obligation is fundraisers that help pay for the various field trips each year.