After seeing the growing popularity of collectible figurines like Smkiskis and Sonny Angels, senior Julea Holfilena is starting a new club to express her love of the collectibles to more people. As club president she aims to bring collectors together for trading events and community service projects that promote positivity on campus. Their first meeting will be held on November 1.

The slogan of the Sonny Angel is, ‘He may bring you happiness,’” Hofilena said. “Since this club would consist of Sonny Angel and Smiski collectors, I figured our slogan would be, ‘We may bring you happiness.’”

Hofilena plans to host trading events for students to participate in.

“I thought to myself that if I could create a club at school, I could possibly host trading events and bring Sonny Angel and Smiski collectors together not just within my school community, but also in the Vegas community,” Hofilena said. “[Our goal is] to organize fall and spring trading events where Sonny Angel and Smiski collectors can connect and trade [the figures], and also to collaborate with collectors and companies selling Sonnys and Smiskis, such as Kuma CO and Cutie Design Studio.”

The club hopes to add to campus culture and make an impact on the students. 

“Our first action as a club on campus would be handing out candy and stickers with positive affirmations on them,” Hofilena said. “We would hand these out during the 10-minute break we receive between semester exams. It would simply be a little treat for getting through their exams regardless of what grade they receive.”   

The love for the figurines and the joy they bring extends to club adviser Laura Penrod who also has a collection of Sonny Angels. 

“[Sonny Angels] remind me of a little doll called a Kewpie that my grandmother used to have,” Penrod said. “When I saw them, I ended up getting a few—think about nine in total. [Hofilena] knew how much I love them, and I don’t know that there’s a ton of teachers who love or know about them, so she felt like I would be interested in advising it.” 

Students are voicing their interest in the club and looking forward to what the club entails.

“​I was excited to hear that there was gonna be a club for Smiski and Sonny Angel collectors,” sophomore Jarred Garcia said. “​It’s cool that there are so many people that go here that collect them. It will probably be a really popular club because it will be a new way to meet other people who collect.”