More than 10 clubs have been added at U-High in the last two years including Threads of Kindness, Climbing Club, and Chem Club. Students now have over 50 clubs to choose from, leaving many students excited about the array of choices.
One of the most recently established U-High clubs is its crochet and knitting club, Threads of Kindness. Club president Hannah Thatcher (11) invites students of all levels of experience to join the fun. “Threads of Kindness is a club for everyone. You don’t have to have a skill in crocheting or knitting to do it. It’s…for beginners and experienced people,” Thatcher said. The group looks forward to teaching newcomers crocheting and knitting skills while building an in-person community that helps others. “Our goal is to create crochet or knitted items for people in need like people in hospitals, veterans, nursing homes, and homeless shelters, and send them [the crochet/knitted items] to them.”
Climbing Club president Aiden Stroyan (11) established the club in March of last year, so participants can learn different rock climbing techniques and train to improve their abilities. “I think it’s different from other clubs because it requires a little more commitment from the community and members from it. It’s a good group of people,” Stroyan said. “Our goals are to grow the club a bit more. We’d like 30 consistent members.” Members currently meet once every 3 weeks at the Proving Ground Bouldering Gym although Stroyan hopes to meet bi-weekly in the future.
It is important to note that these clubs would not be possible without dedicated sponsors like Chemistry teacher Lauren Denofrio-Corrales. She sponsors ACES (Academic Challenge for Engineering and Science), Girls in STEM, and Chem Club. As a new club this year, Chem Club gives students who enjoy chemistry and want to learn more about it an opportunity to come together. “I think also to connect people to ways to perform chemistry as a professional, so finding out more about careers that use chemistry, finding out more about degree programs, [as well as] avenues to continue learning about it,” Corrales said.
Despite the clubs offering many avenues for students to explore their interests, some feel that an overlap in days and times makes it difficult to participate. “I like a lot of the U-High clubs that are offered,” Thatcher said. “It’s hard to balance going to each one, and it can be hard sometimes, especially for freshmen that don’t know what the clubs are or if you can join [late].”
Some students find themselves committing to one club rather than multiple because of a lack of representation of their interests. “I think they [the clubs] are good; I don’t go to too many… [because] only Climbing Club really reflects my hobbies,” Stroyan said.
On the contrary, Corrales praised the diverse options that U-High offers. Sponsors are trying to encourage collaboration among club leadership to align club visions and missions with U-High’s values. “[I hope] students continue to see the value of participating in them [the clubs] and to be able to try and find the time to participate,” Corrales said. “Ultimately, [clubs are for] more than just adding a line to your resume. These clubs can get you inspired to do the next big thing in your life.”
