Every year on Club Night, prospective students scour the rows of tables and walls of poster board in the crowded cafeteria to find clubs that suit their interests. The sheer number of clubs and members vying for students’ attention may be overwhelming, so here are some of the most well-known, productive and unique clubs at CHS.
The Popular
1. Consumption Junction
Baking cookies, cooking cakes…no wonder Consumption Junction attracts so many salivating students. But here’s the twist: the food isn’t for its members. Consisting of more than 30 members a year, Consumption Junction is a cooking club that allows people who like to cook to give back to the community and earn SSL hours while they’re at it. Every month, the members donate food as well as prepare and serve dinner at the Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless.
According to Consumption Junction president senior Melissa Vailikit, club members often break off into groups of friends and bake the foods at home, and the club is open to any foodie wishing to join.
2. Model United Nations (Model UN)
Real issues, fake identities.
Boasting more than 200 members from all grade levels, Model UN has become so popular at CHS that it was offered as a class last year. At Model UN meetings, members research issues of countries that they represent to prepare for a national conference where they negotiate solutions with other delegates. Most members compete with a partner, which helps students develop their communication, listening and negotiation skills.
According to Model UN member senior Hope Kean, being a good public speaker is the most important part.
Model UN, an interactive club, is recommended for students interested in debate, foreign relations or even just making friends.
The Productive
1. Key Club
Key Club is one of the oldest international service organizations for high school students, and its CHS chapter shows no sign of slowing down. The club aims to give back to the local and international communities with activities every other weekend, such as Miracle League, a baseball league for children with disabilities, bake sales for Project Eliminate, a UNICEF-sponsored project to eliminate maternal neonatal tetanus in third-world countries, and NIH children’s dinners.
“We try to split the activities that we organize so that the majority of the activities are community-oriented and only a few of them are direct fundraising,” Key Club president senior Andrew Reitzes said.
Highly recommended for those with enthusiasm for community service, the Key Club does not lack opportunities for goodwill.
2. Midnight Writers
Aimed at giving students a place to publish their art, photography and writing, Midnight Writers is a club that has its creative juices flowing. Their monthly namesake literary magazine publishes everything from poetry to digital art while fitting into a monthly theme and bonus themes, such as Harry Potter. Most writers submit their work under pseudonyms that pertain to Greek gods and goddesses.
“Using pseudonyms tends to attract shyer students, and I feel like we’re better artists and writers for it because there’s less fear of judgment,” Midnight Writers president junior Kim Rooney said. “We can be as weird and passionate and artistic and creative as we want.”
Midnight Writers may just be the perfect club for aspiring writers and artists who crave anonymity. To check out their work, visit the Midnight Writers’ website: www.midnightwriters.webs.com.
The Unique
1. Amazing Crocheting Enclave (ACE)
ACE is a club dedicated to spreading the joy of crocheting while bonding with others over a fun and relaxing skill. At the bimonthly meetings, members create everything from scarves to stuffed animals. One of the club’s most impressive projects is a sweater currently worn by the bulldog outside of the main office to support the anti-bullying campaign.
According to ACE president senior Tina Zudock, this year, the club plans to get involved with a crocheting charity that makes blankets with the crocheted squares that members send in, which are then distributed to those in need.
The club holds meetings twice a month. ACE may be the ideal club for anyone seeking a peaceful hobby as a break from the chaos of school.
2. Go Club:
Originating in China more than 2,500 years ago, Go is a board game consisting of black and white “stones” and a 19×19 grid played between two players who aim to surround each other and occupy a larger total area of the board in order to win.
Members of the Go Club meet once every quarter to learn rules and strategies and play against each other in tournaments. Occasionally, members visit a nursing home and teach senior citizens how to play the game.
“Anyone with interest can join the club,” Go Club president senior Andrew Tsao said. “Since all different levels of players are welcome, the club accommodates for the different skill levels.”
Albeit unusual, the Go Club is worth checking out for those interested in ancient, yet highly strategic board games.
