The cafeteria of Chagrin Falls High School buzzed with excitement on Thursday, September 12, as students explored a world of possibilities at the annual Club Fair. The event, a cornerstone of the school's extracurricular program, offered a vibrant showcase of student interests, from the arts to athletics, academics to advocacy.
The diversity of offerings is impressive. Established clubs like Art Club, Book Club, and Drama Club stood alongside newer additions such as the Pickleball Club, reflecting the evolving interests of the student body.
“I signed up for Engineering Club which is my favorite club,” said sophomore Molly Nightwine. “It's a really fun environment and teaches you some things that core science classes never touch on. Mr. Ricci is really great. Last year we did an egg drop, made paper boats and paper airplanes. The club fair offers opportunities for all students. There are a lot more people joining this year than last year. It's really growing.”
For many students, the fair was an eye-opening experience. "I've always been interested in environmental issues," said junior Mark Thompson, "but I didn't know we had a whole club dedicated to it until today." He was referring to the Environmental Club, also known as Cha-Green, which saw significant interest from eco-conscious students.
The fair also highlighted the school's commitment to academic excellence and career preparation. Clubs like Business Professionals of America and Speech & Debate offered students opportunities to hone skills crucial for their future careers.
Perhaps most inspiring was the number of student-proposed clubs on display. From the Chess Club to the Chinese Culture Club, Feminist Club and GSA, these organizations represent grassroots efforts by students to create spaces for their passions and interests.
"It's empowering to see students taking the initiative to start their own clubs," said Principal Amanda Rassi. "It shows real leadership and a desire to make their high school experience meaningful."
For many freshmen, the Club Fair was a welcome introduction to high school life. ""Club fair was fun,” said freshman Ace Rossi. “I found three clubs I'm pretty excited to participate in. FCA, Hacky Sack Club, and Speech and Debate. I couldn't find a couple of clubs at first, but an upperclassman helped me find all three clubs. I'm most excited for FCA."
"Club Fair is something everyone looks forward to every year," said Junior JP Shaw.
"These clubs are more than just extracurricular activities," said Rassi. "They're where students find friends, develop new skills, and often discover passions that last a lifetime. Today's fair was just the beginning of what promises to be an exciting year of growth and discovery for our students."
With more than 20 clubs to choose from, ranging from the artistic to the athletic, the academic to the altruistic, Chagrin Falls High School students are poised for a year of exploration, learning, and fun beyond the classroom.
