All the information you ever wanted to know about BHS clubs.

The cloudy, drizzly weather failed to deter students from the annual Club Fair held on Cypress Field on Oct. 3 during X-block. Over 30 clubs reserved tables and set up displays, hoping to recruit members and share their missions.

Read below for the various clubs.

The Chess Club, which meets in room 145 every X-block, is a fun and skill-gaining experience. All skill levels, from beginners to experts, are welcome.

“It’s fun. It’s a great way to relieve stress,” said club president junior Joseph Schiarizzi. “It’s very chill. We kind of just hang out and play games. We have $250 from Student Council this year, so we’re going to be playing a lot of tournaments, so if you want to get involved in that it’s a great place to start.”

The Anime Club meets every Thursday in room 214 during X-block to watch Japanese anime and discuss the latest developments in the genre. They also go out to anime festivals during the year.

“I joined because I loved anime and also because I have been interested in Japan since I was little,” said junior Tabitha Russo, the club president.

The Ping-Pong Club meets every Thursday during X-block in the Tapan Mezzanine to play, let loose, and have a good time.

“It’s a great way to unwind and to just have some fun. I’m putting in a plug for girls—I want girls to come play ping pong. It is fun!” said English teacher and faculty adviser Rebecca Hayden.

The Book Club meets monthly in room 277, but the exact day has yet to be determined. Members read books individually and then meet to discuss them as a group.

“We read our own books,” said senior Thomasa Hagney, “and we talk about them and discuss. We always have food. If you like to read, it’s really fun.”

The Starfish Project meets every X-block in room 336 with a goal of raising money and awareness to help women and girls in Ethiopia who suffer from obstetric fistula. Club members buy beads made by women in Cambodia and make them into bracelets, which are sold for $20 each. Funds from these sales are sent to sponsor surgery repairing fistulas.

“There is a hospital that specializes in repairing these fistulas,” said club president and freshman Sarah Gladstone. “Over 90 percent of the time when the surgeries are performed, they are successful and the girls are able to go back to their villages and have children again. So far I have raised $8,000, which is enough to help 18 girls.”

The UNICEF Club meets every X-block in room 351 to help raise money and awareness to support underprivileged children across the globe. At the end of the year, every member receives a certificate from the UN, gets various rewards and community service credit.

“We really believe in the idea of believing in zero. We don’t want anyone to die because of a preventable cause,” said senior Tulip Hosenn, the club president. “We want zero people to die. That’s the reason we are all in this club.”

The Environmental Action Club meets every X-block in room 361 to promote work that will help save the delicate, out-of-balance environment we live in today. Last year, the club went to the state house and successfully persuaded the town of Brookline to support a decision that requires manufacturers to pay for the take back of their products. This encourages manufacturers to decrease the wasteful packaging that they use, which helps conserve resources.

“This year is going to be the third time we have a styrofoam recycling event. It’s kind of scary because it’s only a small fraction of all the things that hurt the environment,” said club president and junior Bianca Hutner. “But in the end, you do feel good about yourself because you can physically see the result of what you did. I really enjoy that.”

The Rugby Club meets every day after school in the spring at Skyline Field to have fun and play the sport they love, rugby. People who play on the team are very enthusiastic about it.

“Everyone hangs out and does everything together. It’s really a family,” said senior Andres Marin.

The Asian Pacific American Club (APAC) meets every other X-block in room 200 to talk as a community about relevant issues to them, play games, bond and even host a few karaoke nights.

“When I first came to BHS, there was a strong African-American community, and I thought there should be more for us. It makes us feel like there is somewhere to belong,” junior Lilian Pan said.

SAHT is a student-run club that focuses on doing what it can to end sex slavery all over the world. There are two sub-groups within the club. The first develops curriculums to teach in social studies classes. The second raises money to support an organization called Friends of Maiti Nepal. This organization also works to eliminate sex trafficking around the world. They are part of social studies teacher Roger Grande’s Social Justice Program and meet every X-block in room 300.

“We have had speakers come from around the world who have been through all of this,” senior Gabby St. Pierre said. “Getting their story firsthand makes us want to work harder.”

The Samba Drumming Club meets every Wednesday after school in room 120. It requires no prior musical experience and all the equipment is provided by the school. Members learn various Brazilian drum rhythms and play them.

“With all the stress of academic life at BHS, it’s a great way to just let loose and have fun and get better at drumming,” said senior Ben Fletcher. “It’s a lot of fun. That’s why I do it.”

The Ocean Science Team meets every Monday at 3 p.m. in room 361 to study various types of ocean sciences. They spend time preparing for a statewide competition at Massachusetts Institute of Technology in February and a chance to win a trip to a national competition.

“My favorite memory was when we came in seventh out of 27 or 26 teams and we won a prize,” said senior Mike Jabour.

The Outdoor Club of America gives students the unique experience of being outside by taking trips to hike, ski and climb. The club meets every X-block in room 358 with science teacher Steve Lantos.

“Last year we did snowshoeing in Sanatoga, New Hampshire, and it was awesome,” said sophomore Ethan Goroff.

The Drama Society is a unique part of the school community where anyone can join a play, help direct one or work on the technical aspects of plays. The Drama Society can be found on Facebook or at their website, bhsds.weebly.com.

“Drama Society is an amazing group of people. It’s a lot of really friendly, like-minded people who just have the purpose of wanting to do good shows. That’s why I joined,” said junior Jan Meese.

The Northeastern-Brookline High School Robotics club is a team of high school students led by Northeastern University students taking engineering. The mentors help students build machines to complete tasks. The club meets from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Northeastern University most days of the week.

“We build machines to complete tasks for competitions, which are very complex,” said junior Charles Baptista. “We fabricate all the parts ourselves, and we design everything ourselves in 3D, so it’s basically high school students building real industrial machines.”

Replay is a new club that donates used sports equipment to children in need in the Greater Boston area. By participating in this club, students can earn a community service credit. The club meets during X-blocks in a room to be determined soon.

“It’s a great way to meet people and help your area and community,” said club co-president and junior Alejandro Brown. “We have so much used sports equipment and we wanted to help those in need.”

Magic Club meets in room 142 every X-block. The club plays different card and board games, including both magic ones and ones such as Yugi-Oh and Pokemon. Members gather to play these games, along with more current ones, and meet others who have a shared interest in card games.

For the members of Word Play, every X-Block is a new chance to battle over words. Meeting in room 262, Word Play is headed by co-presidents sophomores Nicky Rhodes and Nathaniel Sandalow-Ash. Members play games such as Scrabble, Snatch and Bananagrams every Thursday, going word to word in competition.

“It’s a lot of fun. It’s very informal,” Rhodes said. “We just have a good time and play word games.”

The Volunteer Club is new this year. Through a feeder organization called Boston Cares, the club will volunteer at a variety of places. The most famous organization that Boston Cares is involved with is called Rosie’s Place, a center for poor and homeless women. Club co-president and senior Eliana von Krusenstiern said that volunteers often help cook food and interact with the people who spend time there. The club meets during X-block and the room is yet to be determined. If interested, look for posters that the club will put up shortly.

Von Krusenstiern and co-president Mary DiJohnson, a junior, spent time volunteering at food shelters over the summer.

“We meet families that don’t have everything, but they’re so positive and helping just feels really great, and it’s a lot of fun,” von Krusenstiern said.

The Red Cross Club meets every X-block in room 304. They are dedicated to helping others by holding fundraisers and volunteering at food pantries.

“This club is for anybody who enjoys giving back to their community or wants some community service credit, and it’s really fun,” junior Yasmin Siraj said. “We bond over experiences.”

The Movie Club is a fun way to meet people through watching movies. The club meets on Wednesdays from 3:15 p.m. to around 6 p.m. in the BATV screening room. After viewing a movie, club members have the opportunity to discuss the movie with each other. The first movie being screened this year is Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.

“I really enjoy being in Movie Club because with my busy schedule I get a chance to just watch movies for fun,” said senior Siena Fried. “Especially classics, I don’t get to see them every day.”

The Model United Nations Club provides the chance to simulate the United Nations itself and debate world issues. Although the club meets on Thursdays during X-block, members also attend conferences outside of school to further exercise their skills. Model UN meets in room 384.

“I would say the most enjoyable thing are conferences. That’s a lot of fun. You get to meet new people and discuss really relevant topics,” said sophomore Josh Lepson. “Last year, I discussed atomic energy, and that’s very, very relevant, and that’s awesome. The meetings are also really fun. Sometimes we’ll do actual topics from the world, or we’ll create different ones.”

The Curling Club meets Monday through Thursday after school from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Brookline Country Club. It’s a great way to curl without having to commit to a team.

SHOP is a program that is all about students helping older people. Members are paired with an older person and do weekly grocery shopping for them. You will receive community service hours after doing your weekly duties.

“It’s really fun and you get really, really close with the person, and you can do it with a friend,” said junior Mimi Sax.

If you are curious about the SHOP program, you can email Sax at [email protected].

The Brookline Literacy Partnership is a student-led social justice group that works to improve literacy rates in underprivileged parts of Boston. Each Tuesday after school, members of the BLP go to the Mather School in Dorchester to tutor elementary age students, many of whom speak English as their second language. The club also meets on Thursday afternoons in room 300. You can come either Tuesday or Thursday.

At last year’s IntelliJam, an annual musical fundraiser that the club runs, sophomore Melanie Grad-Freilich had an opportunity to meet the family of the girl she had been tutoring all year.

“She was just so happy to see me there and I saw her mother and I introduced myself,” said Grad-Freilich. “I really felt the after-effects of what I had been doing all year so that was a great moment.

You can check out the BLP’s website at brooklineliteracypartnership.com.

The Double Dutch Club has two purposes: to teach double-dutch to students and to participate in competitions. They meet every X-block in the quadrangle or the Tappan Gymnasium’s mezzanine level, depending on the weather. For those who are serious about competing, they hold practices Wednesday Z-block in the Schluntz Gymnasium and Sunday in a parking lot near the school or in the Lawrence School’s basketball court. Non-competing members are welcome to attend these practices as well.

“I joined it because I was in other clubs that just felt too serious, and it didn’t feel like a break from, classes throughout the schedule day, so I just thought it looked fun to just hang out with my friends, and I ended up really liking it; I wasn’t even able to jump rope before I started, and I learned how and it was really fun and I decided to stick with it,” junior Tess Jewell said.

The BHS Student Democrats Club meets every X-block in room 388. Being a part of the club is a way for students to get involved in the re-election of President Obama, as well as campaign for Democratic candidates such as Elizabeth Warren and Joe Kennedy.

“I wanted to both learn more about politics and get some experience around campaigning,” said junior Nina Goodheart. “Student democrats offers ways for high school students to make a difference even though most of us aren’t old enough to vote.”

Clubs Not Pictured

S.A.D.D

The Students Against Destructive Decisions meets once a month from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in room 385A and is a substance abuse education program. The SADD’s first meeting is Oct. 17.

“I am not much for doing stuff with the high school kids because I think it’s hard to prevent alcohol and drug abuse,” said junior Dana Lucas. “But talking to the middle schoolers is actually the greatest thing.”

French Club

The French Club meets during X-block in room 209 to experience French culture. They not only speak in French during their meetings, but also eat French food, watch French movies and celebrate French holidays.

“This club is student-run, and even if you don’t speak French, it’s a great way to learn about everything you’d want to know about France,” senior Francesca Bass said.

Christian Club

The Christian club is a great way to connect with other people with similar religious beliefs within the school community. The club meets every Tuesday during both lunches in room 344.

“There are specific days that we have to do, like passage Tuesdays, but there are also days that we can talk about whatever we want to or whatever’s on our minds,” sophomore Manny Lorenzo said.

The Cambodia Club, run by Dan Green, is an organization that helps raise money for the Brookline Samlanh School. The Samlanh School was built in rural Preah Vihear province by the help of the Brookline community. Now, the Cambodia Club is working on raising money for supplies, teachers and other needs. The club also educates others on the history and culture of Cambodia. The club meets in room 392 every X-block.

“The genocide in Cambodia is something that a huge amount of people don’t know about, and it was such a significant event in history,” junior Alia Buckner said. “Our club is very active and involved. The club made me more aware of how much stuff happens in our world that I just don’t know about, and it taught me about how much I can do to help. I don’t have to just watch it happen.”

Students Engaged in Pro-Israel Advocacy (SEPIA)

Students Engaged in Pro-Israel Advocacy (SEPIA) meets every Thursday during X- block in room 383. People who would like to be active or are interested but cannot make it to X-block meetings may contact the president, junior Ben Gladstone. SEPIA works on educating students and the community of Brookline about Israel. This year, SEPIA will be working on several projects.

“There was a village that was bombed by Gaza rockets, and we’re sending supplies for the children,” said junior Levi Goldfarb.

Dreamfar High School Marathon Club

The Dreamfar High School Marathon Club’s goal is to train students to run a marathon. They meet Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays after school in room 280. Additionally, they will also meet on Saturdays starting December.

“I really wanted to try something new and challenge myself,” said junior Zehui Zhou, who participated in the club last year. “Before, I’d always stay at home and play games.”

Students of Color

Students of Color is a group that discusses the issues and tensions between people of different ethnicities. They meet during X-block once a month and during second lunch every Thursday.

“I thought that it was really interesting talking about race, especially within Brookline High School,” said senior Abby Raisz. “Because we find ourselves in a fairly integrated community, but after talking to a lot of different students of color, they expressed a lot of concerns they were having, a lot of uncomfortable situations regarding race that I wasn’t even aware of.”

Popcorn Dance Club

The Popcorn Dance Club meets every Tuesday and Thursday at 3 p.m. in Dance Studio II where they dance to pop songs. They especially like to dance K-Pop and J-Pop dances. Sophomore Esther Oh said that the club is great because anybody can join even if they don’t have any experience and that everybody there is really enthusiastic to learn how to dance.

Rotary Interact Club

The Rotary Interact Club is a new program this year. The club is one of many around the world that give participants the chance to develop leadership skills, connect with other youth around the world as well as in the community and carry out community service programs, both locally and internationally, including some to enforce international understanding and goodwill. The club will meet once a week after school at a location to be announced.

Senior Justine Fournier is grateful to be in the Rotary and Interact Organization because it is the reason she is able to be here in the U.S. as an exchange student from Quebec. Fournier said she loves the organization and believes that “there are not people who don’t want to help others.”

People for Animal Welfare (PAW)

The People for Animal Welfare Club meets every X-block in room 308. The club does volunteer work for the MSPCA, an organization that works to protect animal rights and spread knowledge about animal cruelty.

“I know that I’m making a difference so that others can understand what’s happening in the world and so more will realize that animals are being mistreated, and they will try to do something,” sophomore Daria Rassoulian said.

Legislature and Student Council

Legislature and Student Council are two separate bodies that help run the high school. Legislature is made up of 16 elected students and one student representative of the school council, along with 17 faculty members. They write bills that, if passed and signed by the headmaster, go into The Handbook.

The Student Council is made up of 17 students in legislature along with six other students. The council cannot vote, but it can write bills that go before legislature. They also work on important issues like getting more textbooks in the library.

Senior Natanya Levine, who has been on the Legislature since her sophomore year, said Legislature and Student Council are very important, and that she likes having the ability to make an impact.

“I think the school’s really big, so it is a place that’s kind of a smaller community where you can work to actually change things that you care about,” Levine said.

Science Team

The Science Team meets every X-block in room 380. Throughout the year, they prepare for the Science Bowl, a track meet for science clubs. In addition, they replicate experiments seen on the television.

Senior Ben Doughty said that overall, the Science Club is pretty relaxed, but fun, with a lot of good debate.

“We don’t generally do what we are supposed to do. We just make cool explosions,” Doughty said.

The Testostatones

Testostatones, also known as the T-tones, is the male acapella group of Brookline High School. They perform at multiple events throughout the year and meet every X-block in room 324. They sing all genres ranging from Billy Joel to Taio Cruz. Members arrange music together and figure out how to take a song with instruments and turn it into a song with only vocals.

“We are entertaining, and we make people happy, which makes me happy,” junior Alex Gerszten said.

Ukelele Club

The Ukelele Club meets every Thursday in room 120. The club focuses on teaching the art of ukelele playing to new members. The Ukelele Club is headed by junior Katherine Silva and sophomore Emma Gallion, both co-presidents and experienced players. Gallion always encourages people to join the club, even if they have no prior knowledge of playing.

“We really want to meet and start learning the ukelele together,” Gallion said.

Gay Straight Alliance (GSA)

On Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in room 307, the Gay Straight Alliance meets as a safe environment for LGBT students. The GSA also works to advocate for equality. Along with advocating for the legality of gay marriage, they discuss general current events and organize events such as the Transgender Day of Remembrance and the Day of Silence.

Writing Center

The Writing Center in room 279 is guided by seniors and teachers who offer assistance to students in writing. If a student is struggling with a paper or even a lab report they can help. The Writing Center is open Monday through Thursday before and after school, first lunches and during X-block.

BHS Intramurals

The Intramurals are a great way for all athletes and non-athletes to learn to play a new sport or play a sport they already love. They provide a competitive environment for all students to come and have fun. Last year’s sports included indoor soccer, frisbee, basketball, badminton and much more. There are intramural sports Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays in either Tappan One, the fitness center or the Pavilion right after school.

“We want everyone in the school to know that this is an opportunity that’s available to all students at BHS,” said physical education teacher Ralph Parent. “It’s a great way to stay physically in shape and to meet other friends or to meet other people.”

Brookline KDSAP

The Brookline Kidney Disease Screening and Awareness Program (KDSAP) is a student-run organization that organizes and provides free monthly renal health screenings for the public, primarily in Greater Boston area. Most screenings are held in chronically under-served communities, targeting those who have limited or no access to health services. The program is run in partnership with Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School. The club is currently full, but applications will open again in 2013.

“KDSAP gives students the opportunity to gain medical experience by working side by side with real physicians. At the same time, club members are making a huge difference by helping to prevent kidney disease,” said senior Jake Cohen, the club president.