Clubs
Hammond Central Chess Team gearing up for the new tournament season
published November 2023
by Julie Ortiz
The Hammond Central chess club had its first meeting at the end of August in preparation for the upcoming tournament season this winter and spring.
Economics teacher and chess coach Aaron McWaters decided to coach the chess club because of his love for the game.
“I started playing chess during the pandemic and it became my main hobby, and I wanted to share it with my students,” McWaters said.
McWaters hopes that his students will learn problem-solving skills, reasoning, and perseverance by playing chess.
“One of the things I love about chess is that it's almost 100% skills based, and you only grow if you put work in. The greatest female chess player of all time, Judit Polgar, has a quote that says, ‘Without work, talent is lost.’ It takes dedication to improve at chess,” McWaters said.
Chess is a game for everyone. It serves as a way to challenge yourself, but it can also just be a fun game to play with others.
Sophomore Jori Lawson originally joined the chess club to learn a new skill, but found that playing chess provided other benefits as well.
“Chess club has allowed me to meet new people, and learning how to play chess has helped me think strategically,” Lawson said.
Other aspects of the club that Lawson enjoys is the competitive nature as well as the mindset to improve which is present in almost every member.
Aside from being a fun hobby to take part in, chess presents various health benefits. Among those is the development of better planning skills. Chess includes long periods of silent contemplation in which players carefully consider each move. Players spend time anticipating their opponents move and attempting to predict them.
According to healthline.com, chess provides important health benefits for children as well. Chess enhances the development of problem solving skills, thinking skills, and social and relationship building skills.
Chess regionals usually happen in January, with state finals in February. There is also a team championship taking place in March.
The chess club meets every Tuesday and Thursday after school. Students are free to join and participate in the chess club at any time throughout the year.
Hammond Central GSA Club
published November 2023
by Adalynn Garza
Hammond Central High School has many clubs for students to join or support. One of those clubs used to be the GSA club, which stands for “Genders and Sexualities Alliance.”
The GSA club sponsor was social studies teacher and LGBTQ+ advocate Anita Cox.
“GSA club celebrated and educated people about the accomplishments and issues facing the LGBTQ community and how we can all support equitable rights,” Cox said.
Cox started this club to try and make a difference and help students that may have a difficult time.
“Students who express desire for the club and want to join the club made me start the club. I have a transgender son and I feel strong empathy for the challenges and discrimination queer kids face,” Cox said.
The main purpose of the GSA club is for it to be a safe space, even a support system for the LGBTQ community. This year the GSA club has not held many meetings due to the lack of student interest and support.
“I am willing to sponsor the club if students want to make it happen,” Cox said.
If you are a student at Hammond Central and want a safe space or support from the LGBTQ community, go and join the GSA Club and start it back up again.
Japanese Culture & Anime Club
published November 2023
by Seferino Valdez
While Hammond Central has many interesting clubs of a wide variety some students still do not know where they will fit in. Luckily the Japanese Culture and Anime Club would fully take these students in even if they know little about Japanese culture and just know about anime.
Many students would believe that the JCC club might not be for them because they do not understand what they do. Well as the name implies they watch anime and love understanding and being a part of Japanese culture.
Science teacher and club sponsor Kathryn Healey wants to spread some of her love of Japanese culture with existing students and the new members who are soon to come. The club has plans to make some events school wide so they could be more well known.
An example of what the club does that relates to Japanese culture is participating in their traditions such as sports day. They also partake in trying the food and watching the shows that are originally from Japan.
Many club members like sophomore Aivila Redmond say the club is nothing but fun and recommend it to all students that are interested in the club.
The meetings are on Mondays and Fridays from 2:45-4:15 after school in room B306 and are open for everyone to come.