Woodgrove’s annual fall club fair was held Thursday, September 5th in the auxiliary gym to promote student involvement in both new and existing clubs. While some may see this as a time to mingle with peers, others would argue the importance of this event and of club involvement in general. Whether you’re hoping to spend time with other students with the same niche interest or join an honor society, Woodgrove’s 51 organizations are sure to fit your needs.
A brand new club has emerged from a sporting phenomenon: the rise of pickleball. Junior Logan Rand started the pickleball club just two weeks prior to the club fair and the table was consistently swarmed with students waiting to sign up. “It lets people be active, go outdoors, and burn off some energy,” Rand shared. Aside from enjoying a fun and trendy sport with peers, members can look forward to community service events, one of which will be visiting local elementary schools and teaching students about the sport.
Senior Lucy Beekman has stepped up as president of Women in STEM. Women in STEM is a national organization and Woodgrove’s chapter was established last school year. The club is focused on empowering women to pursue careers in STEM. “[Woodgrove] has never had a club promoting Women in Stem before [last year], so it’s exciting to reach out to the community and encourage women to join STEM as minorities in the field,” Beekman expressed. Last year, they held a library event conducting science experiments targeted at engaging elementary school students’ interest in STEM. Beekman shared that similar events are in the works this school year.
The Student Council Association is as old as the school itself. Most notably known for planning homecoming events, the SCA is also in charge of pep rallies, the brand new (to current students) spirit plate, and overall improvement to school spirit and involvement. Senior Samantha Mare has enthusiastically stepped into her Presidential role on the council. “When I was a girl, I dreamed of being on a Homecoming committee, and SCA is the closest thing to that,” she smiled, “The first meeting I ever attended, I instantly knew I was surrounded by amazing people who cared about the school and cared about having spirit.” She emphasized the importance of enjoying your teenage years and looking back fondly on high school and how SCA’s work contributes to that. “I think the events we plan allow communities to come together and have shared memories that become very iconic, crystallized, ‘that is high school’ [moments],” Mare stated.
Many clubs died down in membership and activity in 2020 due to the Covid pandemic, and the social studies honor society Rho Kappa was no exception. Since its revival in 2021, credited by senior Salma Jawad to recent alumni Elizabeth Brubaker and Lilly Eddy, Rho Kappa has regained its pre-pandemic strength. Rho Kappa attends many field trips, all of which have the purpose of educating its members about important history and promoting civic engagement. “When we went to the African American History Museum in DC, we learned about another part of history,” Jawad reminisced, “It’s really important that we do our civic duties and provide a space for people who like to do those things.”
Though many staff members hold advisor positions for clubs, none is more essential to the club scene than the student activities and engagement coordinator Mr. Jeff Schutte. Schutte has been Woodgrove’s part time coordinator for twelve years and is starting his fourth year full-time. He is responsible for selecting club proposals, organizing the club block schedule, and managing the club fair.
Schutte has witnessed club engagement since the school opened and has seen which clubs last the longest. “The clubs that run for a while are the ones that give back to the community,” he stated, “They do something either for the school, Purcellville, or are connected to another high school.” An example he gave was DECA’s requirement of completing a service project to retain membership, a club that has been here for all of Woodgrove’s fifteen years. “When groups have a purpose to help other people, it stays the same from year to year, even if seniors graduate,” he elaborated, “the work they’re doing might change, but there’s likely someone counting on them to do something.”
