AHHS Club Fair shows the possibilities

For any student at Alexander Hamilton High School with some free time and a willingness to learn and do, the Club Fair was the place to be on Sept. 27. 

Club representatives gathered in the cafeteria during the morning and students in all grade levels were given an opportunity to stop by and learn about what each club offers by the people who are already a part of the organization and to join a club of interest.

Representatives from the Chess, RADD, Art, Spirit Squad, Robotics, Internet, Drama, Interact, PRIDE, Coding, GREEN and Yearbook clubs were there to sign up new members and answer any questions.

Student Government President senior Matteo Di Berto said the fair was a great opportunity for students to learn and joining a club, like his, offered an opportunity to become a leader.

“It’s how you learn,” he said of how student government plans activities and events, which is an important skill to have. “When I started last year, I had a lot of difficulty, but it’s helped me become a better leader.”

He said it is also a great opportunity to meet other students and make some new friends.

Junior Angel Hidalgo said his older sister served as vice president, the position he holds now, and he said she always told him to get involved.

“I really connected with a lot more students,” Angel said. “After a year of listening to ideas, I learned to think.” 

He added that joining the student government is a great activity to put on a college resume.

Senior Joshua Samuel serves as president of the Coding Club and was sharing his enthusiasm with anyone who stopped by.

“Coding, it keeps you updated,” Samuel said of the latest in technology, “it’s good for college.”

The club introduces members to Python, a type of coding language, and once members have a basic mastery of that, the club participates in competitions, including an event at Columbia University.

“You can find people with similar interests, make new friends, not everyone is into sports,” Joshua said. “I feel like everyone should have some basic coding skills.”

Junior Amirah Nichols was hoping to attract new members to RADD, or Raiders Against Destructive Decisions.

She explained the club holds activities, often during lunch periods, to help students think about the decisions they make and to encourage them to stay healthy and safe.

Some of the activities involve answering questions and those who answer correctly win a prize. The club also hosts Red Ribbon Week and each month the club focusses on a topic and shares important information about it, such as campaigns against smoking and vaping, drunk driving and recipes for mocktails.

“I know people who smoke, and I know that it is not good for them,” Amirah said. “This is a way I can help.”

People Respect Individuals Differences Equally, is what the school’s PRIDE Club is all about.

“I think it’s important for members of the LGBTQ community and supporters to have a place they can go and feel safe,” club President Aurora Johnson said. “I like that people feel comfortable enough to be a part of the club like this.”

Renee Murphy, a junior, walked through the cafeteria looking and talking to several club members.

“I would love to take pictures,” she said, stopping in front of the Yearbook booth. “I’d take any kind of photos.”

Nearby, Kenia DeLion, a senior, said that joining the art club is a great experience and provides an opportunity to relax. It’s great for those that may not think of themselves as being very creative.

“I like to draw and paint, it’s relaxing to me,” Kenia said. “When I need to de-stress, I go to Art Club.”

She encouraged anyone to join ensuring new members that despite what they may think, they will get better the more they do.

“It’s a really fun club,” she added.

And like those who may not feel they have the creative flair to join the Art Club, those who like to be creative through dance could try the Spirit Squad, which performs at basketball games.

“I ended up liking it,” Junior Jaleah Nichols said, explaining she tried out and found it to her liking.

“People will show you the routines,” she said. “You just try your best.”

For eighth grader Aaron Mathews and freshman Joan Gonzalez, the two often battle one another on a chess board, so joining the Chess Club was a no brainer.

“I thought chess was fun,” Aaron said. “In the club you get to compete, plus it teaches us more strategies.”

“I joined for the tips,” Joan said. “I was bored playing chess by myself, and I like playing with other players and beating my opponents.”

They both agreed club advisor, Keith Egan, was great, and Aaron said he especially likes beating him in the game.