Pro Justice Union (PJU) is a club for hearing student voices and making changes for the betterment of the student body. Members actively engage with other students and staff members.
PJU was started because students wanted to share their opinions and make real change. The club was started by a group of students who had Mr. Leininger, the club advisor, in 2017. “Having PJU be a club gave it more power to reach more students.” Says Mr. Leininger.
PJU meets every Tuesday after school in Mr. Leininger’s classroom. During the meetings, students brainstorm ways to solve issues identified within Lindbergh High school (LHS). The meetings are a positive and inclusive space for all students of every demographic and there is a strong sense of community.
Members of PJU gain many leadership skills and get to practice them regularly. “We learn things like advocacy, Goal orientation, critical thinking skills, public speaking ability, forming connections with people, and how to be open to different perspectives.” Says Vivian Tran, PJU’s secretary, “It’s great practice for future jobs!”
PJU has two student summits every year. During the student summits, students of every grade and race come together to come up with ways to address problems at LHS. Many monumental ideas have come from previous summits, such as the peer support group, started last school year.
PJU is a unique club because it deals with real scenarios where students make decisions and learn to present their ideas in a professional manner. “I love getting to watch students share their ideas… especially at staff meetings. It’s really impactful for adults to hear directly from students.” Says Leininger.
PJU’s goal for this year is to generate new ideas, expand the club, and get even more diversity to hear new student voices. “It’s a journey,” says Tran, “the more we do, the more we discover!”
