Many schools around the country offer clubs and activities for student partipation, and Briar Woods is no exception. On the October 13, Briar Woods had the annual club fair where students are able to see a variety of activities and clubs offered in the building. Ranging from Korean club to Art club, there were a variety activities showcased.
Clubs are an important part of development for children and teenagers. Often these activities can help foster friendships and form stronger ties to the community.
According the website, ChildMind.org, Clinical Psychologist Dr. Mary Clooney states that “For older kids, after-school activities can be very important as protection against more dangerous activities.” A distraction from school and the stresses of can be helpful to high schoolers mental wellbeing.
Joining a club can help people make friends because they are with like minded people of similar interests. It can also help them find possible career paths in clubs, such as robotics or music. Activities are also a great option for students who are unable to join certain classes.
Grace Park, grade 10, gives some insight on how the Korean Club decides what activities to do during the club, “The officers of the Korean club had a meeting together, and thought about different kinds of activities that they want to do” she explains. The club boasts many great opportunities to learn about Korean culture. Grace tells us about some of the ideas they have for activities such as “making Korean food…watching some Korean Culture Dramas” and more. She says the reason they created the club was to “introduce people to Korean culture.” The officers wanted the people who are thinking about joining the club to know that they do not need to be Korean to join the club and that everyone can join.
While some activities are based on academic classes, others are just for fun, such as the Crochet and Knitting club. Emily Lough, a senior and an officer of the Crochet Knitting club, says she had been crocheting since she was a little kid, and she was excited for the club. She says that it is “A chill space where everybody gets to Crochet and Knit before school.” The club will do some community projects as well as personal projects. Emily says her favorite part is sitting together in the morning while they drink tea “and talk and crochet.” They say that the best part of the club is that it is a break from high school and homework and they get to relax before another day of school. Another thing the club does is teach people how to crochet and knit so anyone can come, even someone who has never done either crocheting or knitting or even someone who does different types of yarn related arts.
Briar Woods High School has many clubs that can offer students opportunities to help the community, learn about a new culture, or venture deeper into a hobby they are interested in. Some of which can even help them with college-applications and others are just to relieve stress. Students can also become a deeper part of the community and make long-lasting memories and friendships.
