Club Fair Showcases a Range of Student Activities

Earlier in the day, at an Upper School assembly, Interim Dean of Students Victoria Mizzi introduced the presentation, noting that “the Club Fair is one of my favorite assemblies of the year.” 

The student leaders of each club then took to the podium in turn, introducing their chosen co-curricular and urging students to stop by the tables at the lunchtime fair to learn more and sign up. With some 42 clubs and activities—some well established, some new this year—the presentation took a bit longer than the allotted half an hour, and in breadth and range called to mind the “parade of nations” at the Olympics. 

Pickleball was one of the new offerings this year, along with a broadcasting club that will have students provide commentary for live-streamed sports events. Several clubs, as always, pair with community organizations that connect students to the wider world, such as Party with a Purpose (organizing fundraisers for Children’s Hospital), Family Promise (working with homeless families), and Scientella (promoting science and STEM for girls). Rivers has long worked with the organization One Love, which focuses on healthy relationships and preventing abuse within relationships, but this year for the first time there will be a student club dedicated to supporting the mission. 

Other clubs have an academic focus, such as Spanish, Latin, math, and neuroscience. Some might fall into the category of pre-professional interests, such as Med club (“if you want to be a doctor, or just enjoy watching Grey’s Anatomy”) or the stock market and investment club (“if you want to be a master of the stock market”). And many are simply fun or personally fulfilling, such as the fishing club or the Zen Den (“where serenity awaits”). 

Later, at the lunchtime club fair itself, tables formed a wide circle around Kraft Dining Hall, and club leaders set up displays that gave prospective members more information and a chance to sign up. Like hawkers at a flea market, students called out to passersby (“Sign up, you know you want to”), extolling the rewards and resume-building potential of their organizations. The robotics club featured an interactive robot, BRIDGE had built an elaborate Lego bridge, and the Latin club signage reminded students that “high school is temporary, but the glory of Rome is forever.” 

The Middle School club fair also took place last week, on Wednesday, September 18. In their roster, students have the opportunity to share their love of reading in Book Club, their interest in journalism through the Middle School Newsletter, or their passion for games in the Dungeons & Dragons Club, among others. 

Whether for academic enrichment, personal growth, community engagement, or just fun and friendship, there truly is a club for everyone at Rivers. As Mizzi put it later, “The club fair fully displays our students’ wide array of interests and passions.”