By May Ibrahim
The annual club fair at Manhattan Center has come and gone, but remember, it’s not too late for for students that still haven’t yet found the perfect after-school activity to join a club that will improve your high school experience! With so many great clubs, it may be hard to decide which is the right one for you, and which clubs will make your time here a better and more productive one. (But don’t be afraid to commit to something—justtake the plunge, and make new friends in the process!) In this article, we hope to summarize and show you the benefits to all of the clubs here at MCSM and hopefully help you in your tough decision with all of these amazing clubs!
African Student Alliance (ASA)
I’m sure you’ve heard of the Afro Beats, the ASA’s official dance group! They did a beautiful routine for the club fair that captured many students’ attention. They aren’t just a dance group, though. They’re also a club that likes to educate the school community about African culture and banish African misconceptions. They are very friendly and treat each other as family, and do many styles of dance such as West African, Caribbean and Sub-Saharan! Become a part of their loving family and sign up today!
When: Tuesdays in Room 280
Asian Culture Club
Are you interested in Asian culture or come from an Asian background? If you answered yes than you may find yourself interested in the Asian culture club. The Asian Culture club offers a place of comfort and understanding to students at Manhattan Center who express an interest in the complex and amazing cultures in Asia.
When: Friday’s in Room 361
Astronomy
Do you like space and looking at the stars? Then you might enjoy the astronomy club here at mcsm. The Astronomy club is a place where students can meet to express their interest in space. If you enjoy looking at the stars, or looking into space from a telescope you might find yourself at home in the astronomy club.
When: Tuesdays in Room 375/305/Rooftop
ASPIRA
If you are Latino or interested in empowering the Latino community you should consider joining ASPIRA. ASPIRA is the perfect place for those who are interested in the Latino movement for empowerment, this club will help those to understand the importance of advocacy for all groups including those for the Latino people. ASPIRA discusses ways to improve the rights of Latinos and can lead to you having a better understanding of leadership and advocacy.
Bilingual Club
Are you bilingual? Then this club is right for you! The Bilingual Club is a friendly club with students who are very close! They help each other with homework and tutor each other, as well as discuss issues that are going on in their lives. They treat each other like family and stress unity, and love to throw parties and host fundraisers for fun!
When: Thursdays in Room 301
Dance Team
Do you love to dance and want a creative outlet for that passion? Then let me introduce the Dance Team! The Dance Team is a club full of friendly individuals who share one common interest: they love to dance! They dabble in all forms of dance, including hip-hop, Spanish, Caribbean, African and step. They perform at most varsity basketball games and at the talent show at the end of the year. They also throw parties and every member gets his/her own t-shirt! I mean, who doesn’t want to be the Center of Attention?
When: Tuesdays & Fridays in The Cafe
Drama Club
“O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou, Romeo?” I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase. If you’re interested in Shakespeare or things of that nature, why haven’t you signed up for the Drama Club? The club focuses on Shakespeare, but the purpose is to teach you how to act. It’s a three step process which involves working with monologues and scenes. From those two steps, the students then put together a compressed version of a play which is performed at the end of the year talent show. Ah, to join or not to join..
When: Mondays & Fridays in The Auditorium
Gamer Club
There are many different types of games and gamers out there. The Gamer club seeks to unite all gamers at center and engage them in a discussion about games. Regardless of if you like games that are popular or those that are not as well known there is something for all gamers to enjoy at the Gamer club.
Genders and Sexualities Alliance (GSA)
Center is not one to discriminate against sexuality or orientation, and this club is proof of it. GSA stands for Genders and Sexualities Alliance and here, you can belong to any race, identify as any orientation, and love any person. You can never be judged for being you. LGBTQ+ issues are discussed here and fundraisers are planned to give back to the community. Trips and parties are also thrown so students can take a break and have fun. And they gave out little rainbow hearts at the club fair! How cute!
When: Wednesdays (3:30) in Room B13
Geek Club
Geek, in the past, has been used as a derogatory word. But the geeks of Center wear their geek colors with pride! The geek club is a great place is to find people who share common interests to hang out and have fun. Those common interests could include some of these “geeky” activities such as reading comics, watching “geeky” shows, and discussing other parts of geek culture. The benefits are having a chance to find friends at school, along with being able to express your interests. So, are you a geek?
When: Biweekly/Thursdays in Room 336
Glee Club
I’m sure you’ve heard of the phrase “heart of gold,” but what about “the voice of an angel?” If you can sing, the Manhattan Center Glee Club is the perfect fit for you! They meet on Wednesdays and once you’re a member, you will be split into groups based on how high your vocals are. The Glee Club actually collabs with the Music Club to put on the winter and spring showcase in the auditorium on the second floor and for the talent show! They should call themselves the New Directions!
When: Wednesdays in The Auditorium
Greenhouse Club
Do you remember earth day? Well, picture a whole club devoted to just that! The Greenhouse Club is a crew of students who just love to plant flowers and foods. They promote healthy living by eating the vegetables they grow, which range from carrots, basil squash, peppermint, parsley, and tomatoes. They also grow flowers like geraniums, jasmine and orchids! Come on, how could anyone not love flowers?
When: Thursdays in Room 306/Rooftop
Green Club
Do you love taking care of the earth? Then join the green club! They educate students on the environmental issues that we face in the 21st century while taking care of the community! Mr. Hernandez, the assistant principal, is the head of the club! So, wanna give back to your community?
When: Wednesdays in Room 160B
Middle School Tutoring
Do you want to be a teacher or deal with children as a career? Then this is for you! Middle school tutoring gives high school students the chance to help students in lower grades with homework or class work. This can help to refresh some of the knowledge that one has learned from middle school and it looks great on college resumes! It is a good club for those who want to help people who may be struggling in middle school, and to do so in a organized school environment. So why aren’t you a member yet?
When: Thursdays in Room 326
Model United Nations (MUN).
Are you great with debates? Good speaker who is very passionate about worldly issues? Well, you’re in luck! Center has its very own MUN, or Model United Nations! Here, you along with your team will discuss solutions to real world problems. Our school has the privilege in participating in the Virginia Model United Nations conference, known as VAMUN, where many high schools come together and debate current day complications and steps that can be taken to fix them. And did I mention that this club helps with public speaking?
When: Thursdays in Room B48
Music Club
Can you play an instrument? Do you want to learn to play one? Then the Music Club is for you! They do have a band, but any instrument lover is welcome. They practice and play songs not only for shows like the winter and spring showcase held in the small auditorium on the second floor and the talent show at the end of the year, but also just for fun! They also love to throw parties and have fun with each other! I’ve never played an instrument, but does Guitar Hero count?..
When: Thursdays in Room 280
Muslim Student Alliance (MSA)
The MSA is pretty self explanatory! The Muslim Student Alliance (MSA) is a safe space where students discuss Islam and Muslim empowerment. They also love to throw parties and play games, as well as communicate with colleges to help students better understand the college process and get more familiar with the ones they want to apply to! As a proud Muslim student, this club sounds like home!
When: Fridays in Room 316
Newspaper Club
If writing is something that you love to do, then join the newspaper club! We cover many different topics such as school events, educational projects you can do outside of school and events that Center students have partaken in! We also have a digital newspaper which can be found on MCSM’s official school website! Keeping up with all school events is just a click away, and join us in the writing center on Mondays! Everyone is welcome!
When: Mondays in Room 128
Photography Club
Photography, although it may look easy, can be difficult. But the Photography Club can teach you everything you need to learn about it, including the basics on how to use a digital camera as well as angles and lighting! They practice by taking pictures in school, but also at times travel outside to take pictures of nature! Say cheese and sign up right now!
When: Wednesdays in Room 360
Red Cross Club
Everyone should know about the Red Cross, a nonprofit organization that donates money, blood and gifts to children and people who need it. Well, Center has a club that does just that! The Red Cross Club participates in walks and marches to raise money to give to the Red Cross! Last year, they raised over $200! Now that’s a lot of money!
When: Thursdays in Room 323
Refuge Christian
Although the club is called Refuge Christian, students of any religion can join this club! Here, faith is discussed and they go on trips and do activities to reinstate faith into students and people in the community! It’s also a safe space to talk about all your problems and issues. So, why haven’t you joined?
When: Wednesdays in Room 280
Relationship Abuse Prevention Program (RAPP)
Am I the only one who has watched PSAs on YouTube about domestic abuse? Well, RAPP is pretty much just that! It stands for Relationship Abuse Prevention Program and it’s a safe place to talk about social injustices. It provides comfort for students no matter what the issue is and hosts events to promote safety such as marches and walks. They also have RJ or Restorative Justice circles that discuss, well, how to restore justice to the world. If I was a member, I’d have a list long of issues to discuss at the RJ circles, we’d be there all day!
When: Wednesdays in Any Room With AC
Relax & Lanyard
The Relax & Lanyard club is also pretty self explanatory. You can make new friends and relieve stress by making cute lanyard creations! It’s also a safe space to talk about your worries! In 3rd grade, I learned how to lanyard and went wild with it! My mom has so many on her keychain, she doesn’t even have keys on there anymore!
When: Thursdays & Fridays in Room 302
Science Olympiad
If you love science of any kind, then you will feel right at home here! The Science Olympiad Club is filled with cooperative students who excel at science! In the club, you pick a science topic that you like and compete with other high school students on the same topic! How cool does that sound?!
When: Thursdays in Room 315
UNICEF
United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, or UNICEF, was established in 1946 to help children in post-war Europe and China. The club at Center runs similar to how the official organization runs. They host fundraisers to help the needy and raise money for the organization, as well as working with kids around the world. Ah, this just brings a tear to my eyes..
When: Thursdays in Room 237
Women @ MCSM
Are you someone who thinks very strongly about women rights? Are you a feminist? Then Women @ MCSM is perfect for you! They discuss women empowerment, and host carnivals and raise money for Saint Judes! It’s also a safe space to discuss injustices towards women and educate the community’s awareness! I feel like I fit right in!
When: Fridays in Room 351
Write on Track Poetry
Write on Track Poetry is a club where you can write or free write poetry! They participate in poetry slams and raise money for trips to see others perform poems. It’s also a place for you to relax and just…write! I’m not sure about you, but I love poetry! If I wanted to, I could probably write a whole book of poems!
In closing, just remember that every club at Manhattan Center is unique, and has many special things to offer. At the end of the day, it’s up to you and your interests to decide which club(s) you want to join! They are all big happy families who love to throw parties! Make this year a great one by participating in a club or sport!