Amidst the chaos of the beginning of the school year, the club fair provided a chance for students to unite within clubs and explore diverse interests. Spilling out of the quad and onto Greenough St. during X-block on Wednesday, Sept. 10, the crowd was filled with ideas and there were opportunities at every table.
President of the Latinx and Allies Club, senior Adriana Oviedo set her table at the fair with floral decorations and signs. She said that, with arrangements of Mexican candy, music and a game of limbo, her club’s involvement at the fair encouraged them and other students to connect.
“Being able to share experiences, even hidden talents for limbo, will help with building our club and our community,” Oviedo said. “[It’s about] finding more people to help them figure out that they have a safe space with us.”
Audrey Birkett, an English teacher, advises the Make-a-Wish Club. Together, they support the Make-a-Wish Foundation, which works to grant the wishes of children with critical illnesses. Birkett said the club fair and similar events play a vital role in encouraging school spirit and engagement.
“I love this side of [school] because it’s extra academic. We’re still doing good things that matter in the world, but it takes the pressure off this feeling of, ‘Oh my God, I have this homework to do,’ or something like that,” Birkett said. “It allows for a bit more fun, at the same time being extremely beneficial.”
One of the many students filling the quad, sophomore Ted Enos, said he’s looking forward to joining a new club, especially one with an attractive table.
“I’m hoping to find some science-based clubs, like biology, chemistry or psychology,” Enos said. “I look for a community, like a nice group of people. I liked the Rocketry Club a lot; they put a lot of detail in their table and have a bunch of props to show us what they’re actually doing.”
Oviedo said the opportunities presented by the club fair were helpful for her as a freshman and have continued to be since.
“I remember, for me, it really helped guide me that first year. It can definitely help people find their place, even if they end up switching around,” Oviedo said. “It’s good to have it every year.”
Birkett said the club fair was successful in bringing many students together to explore each other’s projects.
“It’s beneficial, not just for interest, but also for making friends, meeting new people and finding out exactly what you can do in Brookline,” Birkett said. “The sheer number of clubs this year is massive, probably double what I saw last year, which is great in that interests are being represented and people get to really choose what they want.”
