Three Clubs You Might Want To Join

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Mr. Challinor (advisor) and students play games during a Board Game Club meeting

The high school has almost 100 clubs to choose from. If you are an underclassman or just overwhelmed with the vast amount and have no idea which ones to try, give these three a look.

AMBASSADORS CLUB

Twice a month in room A322

If you are interested in international affairs and languages or just interested in meeting people your age from other countries, Ambassadors Club may be for you.

Ambassadors Club was originally created to help International students adjust and learn new things about our high school and town environment. The club is designed to teach the new students about American and New England culture, immersing them in typical American activities.

Apple picking, pizza parties, pool parties, Friendsgiving, holiday cookie decorating, and attending school sports activities have all been activities in the past for this club.

For many international students, America is different in the way we have school-sponsored sports. Most would have to join a club sports team not affiliated with their school.

Ambassadors club meeting in room A322

Ambassadors Club is definitely a social one and serves an important purpose to the school community. Since Ambassadors Club includes all of the international students, brought together at least once a month, the club officers are basically built-in friends that are always willing to help with whatever is needed, like providing rides around town here and there.

During meetings, the club does get-to-know-you activities, gives a full agenda for what school events are coming up in the next few weeks, and plays games like American trivia, jeopardy, and more.

This year the advisor for Ambassadors Club is Mr. Longoria. Mr. Longoria runs the international student program as well. He works with international student agencies and recruits them.

“Yes, it is a social club. Yes, it has designed get-to-know-you activities. But when you have students from five or more different countries from around the world, it is quite a unique experience,” Longoria said.

This year the senior club officers are Anjali Batra, Caroline DeSimone, Sophia Perrelli, and Ailene Barry. The Ambassadors Club is always welcoming to anyone who would like to join at any point in the year.

“Ambassadors Club has been such a great way to get to know our foreign exchange students. I have loved doing fun activities like a club Chick-Fil-A trip and Friendsgiving!” Batra said.

BOARD GAME CLUB

Tuesdays, 2:30-3:30 PM, in Mr. Gates’s room (A205)

Board game club is so much more than your average Sorry, Clue, and The Game of Life. If you are somebody who is interested in learning about the wider world of modern board games, which tend to be more complex, less luck-based, and more active than the games most people grew up with; this might just be the club for you.

This club was founded by sophomore David Priefer along with some help from a few friends. The club started this year and consists of about 8 regularly attending members.

During their hour-long meetings, they play a wide range of modern board games, so you are likely to see titles like Tortuga 1667 or Onitama instead of Battleship or Monopoly.

The advisor of the Board Game Club is Mr. Challinor. Mr. C has been playing modern board games, like Catan for over 20 years and was the president, vice president, and treasurer of Boston University’s Board Game Club at various points while he was a student. (YouTube Link to BU’s Board Game Club ).

“Whenever I can do something to grow my favorite hobby, I jump at the chance,” Challinor said.

Board Game Club straddles the line between something most people are already familiar with and providing a new experience. Most clubs focus on one or the other, but this one is a perfect balance of the two.

“It’s a very welcoming and non-judgmental club, with most members being more than happy to teach their games to a new player. There is some playful banter and trash-talk, but nobody ever crosses a line into being mean toward another player,” Challinor said.

BOOK CLUB

The first Wednesday of every month, room A312

If you are a student who enjoys reading fiction in your spare time, like to meet new people, read a new book every month, and discuss the book with fellow book-loving students, then you won’t be disappointed with Book Club.

At Book Club, they read a wide variety of genres, and club members have the opportunity to choose options and vote on the book they will read each month.

Book Club started last year, thanks to current senior Olivia Stacey. Currently, the club president is Olivia Stacey and the vice president is Morgan Burnie. Next year, the leaders of the club will be rising seniors Gwen Parduhn, Hannah Connors, and Ali LePage.

Book club participants Morgan Burnie (left), Hailey Kessler (Middle), and Hannah Garesche (Right)

Each month, a student who attends the meeting is chosen randomly to select three to four choices for

the next month’s book selection. At the start of each meeting, the book club members vote on those choices, and the book that wins the popular vote is the next month’s selection.

Everyone gets a say in what is read each month, and most club members have had the opportunity to choose the book options.

After voting and the next month’s book is decided on, they spend the next 30-40 minutes discussing the book. The club officers create Google Slides with discussion questions and activities.

The advisor for Book Club is Ms. Breen.

“ I love reading in my spare time – it’s my favorite hobby and has been since I was a kid. It’s what made me want to specifically teach high school English. So I could share my love of reading, discuss books/writing all day every day, and hopefully help students to develop their own love and appreciation for literature,” Breen said.

“Being the advisor to the HHS Book Club is an added bonus– it’s really fun to discuss books outside of the general curriculum with other people who love to read for fun,” Breen said.

Book Club is based on a love of and appreciation of reading fiction. They do not have any fundraisers or club finances, attendance policy, or expectations that people will come every month. It is a welcoming space for people to read a good book, come, and discuss.

“Book club is a great place to meet new people and talk about a fun book every month,” Stacey said.