Harpreya Chumbar joined because it seemed like an interesting concept. Caitlyn Pruitt signed on because of her mother, and Jo Cerna got involved as a way to serve the community.

These girls are members of the Liberty and Heritage High schools' S Clubs - a junior arm of Soroptimist International - a growing group that is more than making up for its diminutive size, with an abundance of energy, enthusiasm and grace.

"This is a great, motivated group," said Harpreya, treasurer of the Liberty chapter. "We just want to do as many projects and contribute as much as we can. It's a very close-knit group."

Not quite two years old, the Heritage and Liberty S clubs are independent entities, but they are working to develop more projects that they can work on as a group.

"I know that the girls would love to do more things with the Liberty group," said Kathryn Hardt, advisor of the Heritage S Club. "We could certainly get more done together."

Founded in l921, the Soroptimist organization was designed as a way for business and professional women to provide volunteer service to their communities.

The S Club is the teenage branch of the Soroptimist. Membership in the club is granted to service-oriented students who show continued interest and initiative in working for and with the community. Membership in the club also fulfills the service hours required for high school graduation.

It's also a great way to make friends.

"My mom was a Soroptimist and that's how I got involved," said Caitlyn, a freshman at Heritage and this year's president of the campus chapter. "But for me, it's really a sisterhood and a way to connect with the community."

So far, the S Club groups have participated in a variety of projects, including raising money for Shepherd's Gate - a battered women's shelter - providing holiday gifts and items for needy families, and visiting a senior center.

"I've really enjoyed being in the club," said Jo. "It's a nice way to help."

The two groups hope that through active recruitment and continued support from the community, the S Club chapters will extend to other campuses such as Freedom High School.

"I know the girls would love to see a chapter at Freedom," said Helen Grimes, president of the Soroptimist of Contra Costa County. "It's such a wonderful organization and it just needs more people to know about it. To hear these kids talk about helping other people is just wonderful. It really gives them the opportunity to become involved in the community."

For further information on the S Club and Soroptimist, call 638-8798.

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