Civinettes is more than just a volunteer club—it’s a tight-knit sisterhood where community outreach and friendship are intertwined.
Sponsored by three teachers–Ellen Kitzmiller, Jessica Robinson, and Julie Bittinger–and lead by co-presidents, seniors Zoe Coble and Aubrey Tester, Civinettes offers students a path to helping their local community by volunteering in events such as the Johnia Berry Toy Drive, which provides under-privilaged children in the school district with Christmas presents, and the Trunk or Treat.
Kitzmiller, along with the co-presidents, hopes to further “branch out and do more for the outside community.”
Some of these future plans include volunteering at dog shelters, raising money for those affected by Hurricane Helene, and working at the Virginia Duff Fine Arts festival.
Members also feel that due to the club being all-girls, it serves as a safe space for female students.
“Being a girl in high school can be very scary at times,” said Tester. “Being in Civinettes has created a safe space, not just for myself, but for other girls as well.”
Kitzmiller emphasizes this “sisterly bond” by letting the students run the club almost entirely themselves, further strengthening a platform for members to pitch ideas for events and fundraisers.
Students that are interested in joining Civinettes should go see Kitzmiller, Coble, or Tester to get added to the TeamReach so they can be informed when the next meeting occurs.
In Coble’s own words: “it’s all about doing more for the community.”