PHlight Club: The Why from a Student’s Perspective

By: Caitlin Aspery

As a 16-year-old high school student, I believe PHlight Club is an event that everyone should experience at least once in their life. The first time I attended PHlight Club was the spring of 2018 at Klawock School. It was a three-day, two-night "lock-in" event, and I had no idea what I was walking into when I applied to attend.

“Flying” activity at Klawock PHlight Club

Entering the gym was overwhelming; there were so many people talking, hugging, laughing, and playing games. It was a lot to take in. I felt really out of place in the beginning, but within five minutes, someone befriended me. The following hours were a blur of people, trust falls, and lots of activities.

Speaking of trust falls, I was soon standing with my back to a group of strangers, about to fall into their arms with the hope that they would catch me. As I stood there questioning every choice I'd ever made leading up to that moment, a calming voice spoke to me. He was a student I had never spoken to before, assuring me that I wouldn't hit the ground and that I was safe. At that moment, a lot of my distrust in people melted away, and I allowed myself to fall backward. As I fell back, I felt a fear-induced pit in my stomach, but it disappeared the second I landed in the arms of the people who were there to catch me.

Before the end of the first night, the founder of PHlight Club, Derek Peterson, told a story. He described a girl with adults in her life who saw and treated her as though she was "broken." The girl spoke up and said that she wasn't broken. She explained that she needed support from caring adults in her life, called Anchors, who would encourage and guide her to reach her potential. The story made me cry, because I needed the same thing. For the first time in forever, I felt like I wasn't crazy for feelings I had been experiencing. It was a powerful night for me. It was one of the most influential nights of my entire life.

The rest of that weekend was amazing. I mean, it wasn't perfect by any means - I was exhausted, and I had lost my voice - but I was happy. Happier than I'd been in a very long time. Since that first PHlight Club in 2018, I've attended every PHlight Club since, a total of five. PHlight Club is a life-changing experience filled with inclusiveness, support, and joy. The youth who attend do not leave the same; they leave transformed.

It doesn't matter who you are or from where you come. At PHlight Club, everybody is loved and valued. As a PHlight Club veteran, I can honestly say that it is so much more than a bunch of teenagers doing activities in a gym. When you attend PHlight Club, you become a part of something bigger than yourself. You become a member of a family who will catch you during your hardest fall. You form lasting connections and friendships. You help unite students and adults to create happy and thriving environments and relationships. You empower other youth and your community. PHlight Club helped transform me from an insecure teenager into the confident, authentic leader I am today.

Caitlin is a junior at Hollis School in Hollis, Alaska