Behind the scenes of S.O.A.P.

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The Student Organization of Anatomy and Physiology makes a clean sweep on medical education

ON WEDNESDAYS, WE WEAR PINK: S.O.A.P. club members proudly wear their pink shirts on ‘Pink Out” day on Oct. 25. Through the “Pink Out” the organization promoted breast cancer awareness by selling pink shirts to fundraise for the Miami Metabolic Research Group . Photo courtesy of Ana Bula

By: Isabella Mejia and Sabrina Duran

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Student Organization of Anatomy and Physiology (S.O.A.P) was amongst the most popular clubs on campus. However, once former Anatomy and Physiology teacher Maria Muniz departed, S.O.A.P. quickly lost interest and dissolved. However, during the 2022-2023 school year, current Anatomy and Physiology and Marine Science teacher Nicole Figuerola and junior S.O.A.P. president Sania Khurana decided to revive the club.

S.O.A.P. collaborates with the Miami Metabolic Research Group to educate high school students on different types of medical illnesses and provide a space for students interested in pursuing careers in healthcare and business to learn more about the fields. They aim to not only bring awareness to different ongoing metabolic research projects, but also to fundraise for the group to further their research to improve disease management methods.

“I joined the SOAP club so that I can help my community create awareness and a friendly environment. This is so we can talk about ongoing illnesses that many of our family members have to go through and find a way for the fundraising to go to a higher level, ” said junior historian Ana Bula. “We are always trying to put an effort into all of these types of causes. Our students worked very hard to try to make this event possible, and I am very glad that it was such a big success.”

**PRETTY IN PINK:** Faculty and Guidance members participate in SOAP’s pink out day for breast cancer awareness. Students and staff wore pink attire to support those with breast cancer. Photo courtesy of Ana Bula

The club seeks to promote consciousness of human anatomy through directing fun, creative events to educate students on the origins and treatments of diseases. S.O.A.P provides opportunities for their club members to get insight on different ongoing research projects to broaden their interests and knowledge of medical issues. Boasting an inaugural membership of fifty students, the club hopes to increase their members’ participation in events and school-wide interest in the club’s activities from their unique events.

“I also want them to be interested about the topic in general, get the kind of following with a group and have students excited about what we have to offer with the club,” said Figuerola.

On Oct. 25, S.O.A.P. hosted a “Pink Out’’ day, encouraging students and staff to dress in pink to honor breast cancer awareness and fund its research. The club sold pink t-shirts throughout the month of October and donated all of the proceeds to the Miami Metabolic Research Group. The campus appeared decorated in pink, with a wide majority of students and staff dressed in a variety of shades of pink.

“It was inspiring and motivating to see so many people with the shirts we created. Aside from the normal academic routines that we do, people tried to wear pink and bring light to that cause. It was genuinely nice to see.” Figuerola said.

Additionally, from Nov. 2-9, the club sold “Gobble Grams” for a dollar each in the cafeteria during lunch. The grams, themed as turkeys to honor Thanksgiving, were created by club members to receive a maximum of three service hours from donating supplies like construction paper, ribbon, googly eyes or candy. Throughout Dec 12-18, S.O.A.P also collected donations of supplies to make hot chocolate for their fundraiser through Jan. 16-18, where they sold hot chocolate to students and staff arriving at school through the single-point entry.

“Through our events, I wanted to show attention toward research labs that actually aid the community and our approach to help them,” said Khurana.

As of their hot chocolate sales, S.O.A.P reached $500 in funds raised for the Miami Metabolic Research group. The club plans to raise $10,000 from their upcoming events. On Mar. 15 S.O.A.P. is hosting their DIA-BEAT this event, pitting underclassmen, upperclassmen, and staff against each other in a basketball tournament. Prior to COVID-19, the event was amongst the most popular club events. The tournament will include performances from the Baby Blues dance team, the baby Bobcats and cheer.

“We are always trying to put an effort into all of these types of causes. Our students worked very hard to try to make this event possible, and I am very glad that it was such a big success,” said science teacher Nicole Figuerola.

The club hopes to inspire other schools to begin S.O.A.P clubs to further the funding of the research group and health education across high schools. Their events and meetings serve as an opportunity for youth to talk and learn more about anatomy and physiology, a subject the organization feels is vital for teenagers’ wellbeing and safety.