by Joseph Alonso
Tables, posters, trophies and students screaming for you to join their club: this is the view of the Christopher Columbus Club Fair.
Every year, Columbus' more than 60 clubs gather in the gymnasium and the L building lobby, ready to make their recruitment moves on students looking to join a club—and this year was no different. The fair aimed to display student life that would encourage both new and returning students to engage in the wide variety of activities Columbus has to offer.
"The amount of kids here that are interested in joining something at Columbus is phenomenal," said Mr. Trujillo, Dean of Students. "We have so many things available to all different types of students, so I'm very excited to see this participation."
Columbus makes it easy for students to find a group that fits their interests.
"The club fair helps, not only getting the word out, but it gives kids the opportunity to find out exactly how to sign up, when and where to get all their information so it kind of lets them know exactly what to do so they can join properly," said Mrs. Debra Martinez, upperclassmen guidance counselor.
The best part about Columbus' club fair is that new clubs are brought in each year. This year, new organizations like the Rowing and Rugby clubs made their debut. Co-presidents of the Rowing Club Mateo Martinez '26 and Gabriele Mendoza '26 shared their enthusiasm about introducing this new kind of sport to the school:
"Rowing is a beautiful sport, it is not very accessible on the school level, so... we'd like to eventually wear the Columbus crests on our uniforms and turn this club into a team."
Similarly, Ignacio Gutierrez '27, president of the new Rugby Club, underlined the school's open-mindedness:
"In Columbus, it's the easiest thing to start a club as you can bring your idea out, and things like the club fair help to promote your club."
It is in such an event, supported by the long-running tradition of student engagement within Columbus High School, that students can start clubs.
"A great representation of the diversity that this school offers... so there's someone for everyone. And if you can't find it, as Mr. Pugh says, 'We'll make it'," said Mrs. Martinez had students feeling a part of the while moderating the LINK Club.
Signing up isn't the only thing on students' minds at the Club Fair; being connected to others, and getting included is what they feel.
"I think the club fair is exciting because I see a whole lot of new clubs that I never thought would be here, like Key Club, Castaways Against Cancer, and Debate," said Patrick Sacher '28.
He added,
"I think it's an important tradition because it keeps more students involved in the school... and it makes a bigger brotherhood."
With every passing year, the club fair continues to be an important part of Columbus's life, connecting students, sparking new passions and keeping the spirit of brotherhood alive.
As Mr. O'Brien, teacher and moderator of Mindfulness Club, stated,
"I think [the club fair] is doing great, and the whole idea is that nobody goes home after the second bell, they have somewhere else to go and can really enjoy themselves," he said.
This annual event does keep the student's interest alive and vibrant, provoking them to follow their passions and at the same time, get connected more to the community around the school.
Did you enjoy the club fair?
Yes
No
Didn't attend
Is the Scuba Diving club still a thing????
We need that Mr. Corazon fat head to start making appearances at home basketball games. I'm just sayin...