Several identity-based clubs at U-High are working to expand their membership by encouraging students outside of their represented communities to join.
Sophomore Anthony Kozlov, treasurer of the Jewish Students’ Association, said that while the club remains centered around Jewish culture and traditions, its events are designed to be open to all students, a message JSA promotes mostly through posters.
“We still have a focus on Jewish topics and culture, but those ideas are accessible to everyone, so anyone can come and learn,” Anthony said.
Similarly, the Black Students’ Association is emphasizing inclusivity while maintaining its focus on Black conversations and experiences. BSA co-president Zoe Cobb, a junior, emphasized the importance of having the club be open to all students.
“Yes, we talk about topics focused on the Black community,” Zoe said, “but also that means that we’re OK with sharing that with people outside of our community. I think that’s part of the beauty of it.”
In the 2024-25 school year, U-High had a record-breaking 97 student clubs, which raised concern that so many options could spread participation thin, making inclusivity even more important for identity-based groups.
Muslim Students’ Association co-president Adnan Wedyani, a senior, noted the club’s efforts to make events more inclusive.
“Last year, we incorporated a thing in MSA where I told MSA members to bring their non-Muslim friends to get a feel for MSA,” Adnan said. “This year, we are going to start doing informational lessons.”
These informational sessions will help inform non-Muslims about some of Islam’s practices.
“Every Friday, we go to the mosque and we have prayer, but right before prayer, we have discussion,” Adnan said. “I was thinking we can have these discussions with non-Muslim friends to get more awareness about what we do and practice and aspects of our religion.”
For many U-High affinity groups like these three, the goal this year is to create a space for open discussion and unity.
Anthony said, “We are working on building a space where everyone can just come, have a good time and learn.”
