Record-Breaking Club Fair Draws Excited Crowds, Showcases Over 100 Clubs

My Sister’s Keeper handed out small flyers in the C-Gym. *Photo: Malak Khalifa*

By SAMURAH ISLAM and SIQING LIN

The C-Gym and cafeteria transformed into a bustling hub with over 100 clubs on October 16 as the annual Club Fair broke records, with over 1,400 attendees looking to expand their horizons and dive into new interests.

New clubs mixed into the crowd of returnees, ranging across art, culture, music, academics, athletics, crafts, games, and more, creating a vibrant atmosphere full of excitement and opportunity.

“We had around 107 clubs,” said Mr. Lawrence Kolotkin, the coordinator of student affairs. “Plus, sports teams and festivals were there, so there were probably about 120 groups representing Midwood.”

Organized by the student government, the fair also featured performances in the auditorium by the school’s K-pop, J-pop, and C-pop clubs, the Step Team, Latin Fest, and various soloists.

“My board members and I performed ‘OJ’ at the talent show, giving freshmen and others who hadn't heard of C-pop a glimpse of what it could be like for them,” said club president Andrea Ni ‘25.

A rock band starring Midwood’s teachers also performed. The band, which features Mr. Oleg Dudal on the guitar, Mr. Jordan Finn on drums, Ms. Mardee Goodwin on lead vocals and bass, and Mr. Max Pinsky on vocals and guitar, played “What I Got” by Sublime and “Where Is My Mind” by The Pixies.

“I thought it went really well,” said Mr. Pinsky, the foreign language department’s assistant principal. “The students seemed really interested in our performance. I think Ms. Goodwin did a really good job as the front person, it was very entertaining, and we didn’t mess up!”

After the performance, the crowd made their way to the gymnasium and cafeteria, where the spirited Club Fair awaited.

The new clubs on display included the Ping Pong, Chemistry, Human Rights Amnesty, and SafeBAE clubs, plus many more.

“Our club is for kids who are interested in expanding their knowledge about chemistry and the overall STEM field,” said Kelly Ng ‘25, the co-president of Chemistry Club, who gave out guava candy that looked like atoms. “We create fun interactive labs that allow kids to really expand their knowledge.”

Ping Pong Club President Jefferson Xu ‘26 said, “We are a casual club aiming to provide an easily accessible space for other students to enjoy a game of ping pong.”

“SafeBAE is a chapter non-profit that talks about sexual violence,” said Co-president Faiza Aziz ‘25. “It’s a safe space where people can talk about sexual assault.”

As students eagerly explored the different tables, it was clear that the fair reflected a strong sense of anticipation.

Ava Absolam ‘28 said, “There's a wider variety of options and you have more choices here. Back at my middle school, there were limits to what could be talked about and advocated for in school. So I really like Midwood’s clubs.”

When asked what clubs sparked their interest, Absolam said, “SafeBAE, because I always wanted to be able to advocate for myself and others but never got the ability in middle school. So I’m happy to do so now!”

In addition to the creative new clubs, the fair also featured many old favorites that were looking to recruit more members.

“We wanted to attract more underclassmen to our club because we know that they are the ones who are looking for more connection,” said Joanna Cai ‘25, vice president of the Origami Club. “We made sure that our club was available during periods 10 and 11 because these are the only times freshmen and sophomores can attend.”

Wiktoria Czerkies ‘25, the co-president of the Gardening Club, said, “Our main goal was to get more members and let people know that our club isn’t just gardening but also other kinds of activities related to it.”

Hoi Lam Cen ‘25, the vice president of Art Club, said, “Many people think that you have to be able to draw well to be part of the Art Club. Here, we celebrate all forms of creativity and encourage everyone to express themselves. Together, we hope to build a place that lifts up every artist, no matter their skill level.”

The impressive variety of clubs on display underscored the student government’s dedication in organizing such an event.

“This year's Club Fair required lots and lots of preparation,” said Mayor Briana Calin ‘25. “From the revival of clubs to the creation of new ones, the student government has been working since late August to prepare for this event.”

“Although the fair was a success, there’s always ways to improve for the next one,” said Jasmina Abidova ‘26. “In my opinion, what needs to be worked on is dividing the student population into groups so that everyone has the same access and time available to check out all of the clubs.”

Even though the fair could at times feel crowded and loud, it ultimately proved to be a success, energizing the school and sparking a high level of student engagement in extracurricular activities.

“Participating in clubs is really important, in my opinion,” said freshman Rukhshona Achilova. “It’s not just about boosting your college application but also making friends and finding your passions. I think it’s a great way to prepare for college, where you need to balance academics and activities.”