Annual Club Fair packed this school year

Posted Oct. 18 2023

Emilia Gutu

News Editor

David Douglas High School’s annual club fair, held in the breezeway on Sept. 28 during lunch, showcased 34 clubs actively seeking interested members.

Packs of students flooded the breezeway as they rushed to be first to explore this year’s show of clubs. From the cafeteria side of the breezeway to past the tennis courts, clubs offered sign up sheets, candy, raffles, and more entertaining ways to grasp students’ attention to join. The Club Fair is an opportunity every year to advertise and gain more student interest. Extracurriculars, such as clubs and sports are beneficial for students to participate in. They can find a community and a support group. They can learn the importance of teamwork, responsibility, culture, diversity, and perseverance.

The 34 clubs include Black Student Union, Key club, Red Cross club, STEM club (new this year), Asl Honors Society, Pacific Islander club, Asian Student Union, Cooking club, Muslim Student Association, Indigenous Student Union, Book club, Latino Student Union, Game club, Garde Leadership club, AYCO, Math club, Rocket team, Student Health Advisory Committee, Thespian club, Video Crew, Weights and Conditioning, Young Life, HOSA, Mock Trial, Latino Network, All Peers United, Reap, College Possible, Upward Bound, French club, Clay club, Disc Golf club, Dungeons and Dragons, and Film club. 

It is highly encouraged by staff and involved students to join a club. Extracurriculars also benefit students applying to college. Colleges not only examine students’ GPA, they are more interested in how students spend their time out of school.

 “Colleges and scholarship committees love to see that students have been involved in extracurricular activities like clubs because it shows that you are able to pursue your interests while also meeting the demands of school and of life.” said Math club advisor Andrew Matheny.

It’s also encouraged to choose quality over quantity. Joining a ton of clubs can be seen as a good thing but can often feel overwhelming. Picking and choosing the most interesting clubs according to students’  interests at the beginning of the year will eventually benefit them further along the way. Joining a club could also benefit students’ time management skills. Having numerous things to get done along the day will force students to create a schedule, whether it’s mental notes or a physical schedule, and will aid students’ time spent doing productive things. Students have also taken initiative and started their own clubs, such as STEM club. The STEM club was initiated by senior Jezreel Gaad, along with her supportive peers. They welcome all students interested in science, technology, engineering, and math.

“I saw a hole within our community and I wanted to create a club that provides opportunities for STEM interested youth to affect future generations,” said Gaad.

If students haven’t had the chance to sign up for any clubs at the club fair and are interested in finding a club according to their interests, they can still join any time if they just reach out to the advisor of the specific club. The 5-Star app provides a list of the clubs, a description of them, and their advisor’s email.