From Sept. 8 to Sept. 12, countless clubs at State High set up tables in the HUB during lunches for the annual Club Fair. The primary goal of the fair is to display the wide array of club options available, as well as encourage students to get involved and find a club to join.
Club tables were also present during Back-to-School Night on Sept. 9, presenting the surplus of opportunities to not only students, but parents too, who could further motivate their children to join a club.
As a participant in eight clubs at State High, senior Veer Patel has learned and developed a variety of skills from his experiences in club environments. “One main skill I have developed is confidence, but also public speaking…In 9th grade, I used to be a nervous wreck whenever I was doing presentations, but now I am coming into classrooms and presenting in front of 20 random people,” Patel said.
Students have numerous reasons and purposes as to why they first decided to join clubs, but a few seem to be common among the student body. Patel spoke to his rationale when he began to branch out and attend a few meetings.
“Originally, it was a resume-builder, because I knew that whenever I’m applying, I’m going to need [clubs], but honestly, over the years, it has just been a really fun time meeting new people, hanging out with them, and participating in many different activities,” Patel said.
Sophomore Dillon Lieb explained the tentativeness that he felt when joining clubs as a freshman.
“My experience was good, you know, initially, I was unsure of what I wanted to do or join, but I found people who I shared interests with, I was able to get involved, and I had a great time,” Lieb said.
Clubs at State High not only help you academically and socially, but they also provide fun, once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. Last year, DECA went to Orlando, Florida, FBLA went to Anaheim, California, and Art Club made the trip to New York City.
Patel noted that he made innumerable memories through his clubs, but his all-time favorite was the FBLA state competition. “I got to spend time with some of my closest friends, and I got to explore Hershey. I went to the park and the outlets, I learned a lot, and I got 4th place at the competition, so that gave me a huge confidence boost,” Patel said.
Patel noted the value of joining clubs for all students, and he strongly encourages everyone at State High to find a club they enjoy, or to reach out to someone if they need help.
Lieb echoed this sentiment when he said, “It’s important for students to find people that they may share interests with, you know, meet new people, branch out, and also gain experience…depending on what you want to do in the future.”
With the school year progressing and students getting back into the swing of things, clubs have started up again, allowing State High students to attend some of the many club kickoff meetings in the coming weeks.
