The MICDS Upper School Club Fest is a way for clubs to recruit new members, but what draws people to sign up for a club? Club Fest was held Friday, September 9th throughout the Founders’ Court. There, 65 clubs, ranging from affinity groups to Mathletics, mingled throughout the campus with diverse and curious students.  

Clubs and in-school organizations are all about community. As AP Psychology teacher Proctor explained, “We humans are social animals, we like to be around people with shared interests.”  Most students sign up for a club because of personal interests that can be fostered throughout the school year, separate from class work. Alexandra Walker ‘24, agreed that “finding something you’re passionate about is a good outlet” to express your interests unrelated to what your class is working on. Peers, such as Addie Small ‘25, “look for clubs that are for good causes and [that] are fun.” 

Club Fest allows students to hone their interests and what they want to do in the future. “I have an interest in the medical field,” Omkaar Alakkassery ‘24 explained, so he joined HOSA, a club that leads to an eventual career in healthcare. At MICDS, students are given the opportunity to explore their interests. Students who are interested in pursuing a career in journalism, writing, or photography can join The Phoenix (Yearbook) or The Voice (Newspaper). As Norah Wright ‘25 explained, she “like[s] to see the effort being put in by co-heads and the enthusiasm in what they do”. Each student is given the opportunity to explore and determine what impact they want to have in the community. 

At the end of the day, joining clubs is about building community. Proctor commented, “It really is a community. It’s a community around shared interests.”