Piano keys fill the air as students try to match their notes. Grace LaBelle, one of the leaders, sits at the piano reading the music and instructing club members how to sing each note.
Their other club leader, Eleanor Koss, stands in front of the group and directs them through the different parts of “Birds of a Feather” by Billie Eilish and counts them off. They laugh together as they make mistakes but they get through the song and their voices blend together not only to sing but also form a community.
This club is the A Cappella Club, one of more than the two dozen new clubs created by students this year to share hobbies, build communities and share their voices.
As the number of clubs increases, it reflects a bigger trend of students taking initiative to mold U-High to their needs and interests.
However, due to the large number of new and returning clubs this year, finding advisers and available rooms has been challenging.
Dean of Students Ana Campos said, “Because we have so many clubs, students are having a hard time finding sponsors, and that has not happened before.”
Many students have created clubs to form communities and spaces for people to feel welcomed. This is the case with Anaya Douglas and Frankie Bishop, who created the new club Multicultural Students Association.
Anaya and Frankie founded MCSA as a place for students from multiple racial backgrounds to share their experiences.
Anaya said, “We both have been in other affinity spaces before, and we were talking to one of our other friends about the idea of wanting to go to certain clubs but feeling like you’re maybe not enough of that specific identifier to actually go.”
Clubs are also spaces for students to share hobbies and interests. The card game euchre started out as a game Devyn Moubayed would play with her family and friends, but after realizing a growing interest in the club she and her friend Carin Henger started the club.
Devyn said, “They just didn’t have a space where they could come weekly to have fun, hang out and play.”
Many teachers also adore the new clubs and the fact that there have been so many.
Ryan Hudec, adviser for the new A Cappella Club, said, “It’s good because you all are kind of taking charge in what you want to see, and you’re making it happen.”
This year’s new clubs highlight students’ increasing efforts to create spaces where they can connect and express themselves. From singing “Birds of a Feather” to gathering around and playing card games, these clubs provide opportunities for students to explore their interests, build community and foster inclusivity, making the school’s environment more welcoming for everyone.
