They started with the tables, then the cardboard signs. What used to be an open space of quiet chalk drawings on concrete became red, white, and blue-uniformed students posing for photos, scanning QR codes, and even nabbing some free candy. The quad became ground-zero for this year’s Club Refresh on Jan. 21. For those who couldn’t make it to the event, see these five clubs share how they made this event more than just a ‘refresh.’
OA Women’s Cyberjutsu — room 511
Highlighting opportunities in cybersecurity for women, this chapter of the global Women’s Cyberjutsu meets every other Tuesday in Ms. Worthington’s room.
“I joined because I was really interested in cybersecurity, and I didn’t see that there were many opportunities… [in] a male-dominated field,” junior and club president Holly Hua said. “So by bringing this club to the school, there were a lot of opportunities for women who initially might not have been interested to figure out if they are interested in this and to support them along the way.”
Hoping to increase membership at Club Refresh, publicist and junior Katherine Wee led the creation of their trifold. Additionally, they plan on hosting a workshop on Feb. 5 and helping women-owned businesses with “cyber hygiene” — strong passwords, updates, and antivirus software.
OA Video Game Development Club — room 306
After previously making a game on itch.io, Video Game Development Club is aiming to release a fully fleshed-out game on Steam or Epic Game Launcher. For Club Refresh, they plan on showcasing sound effects, assets, and art on a slightly modified trifold from last semester.
“The main goal is for us to learn how to develop and for us to be happy developing,” junior and club president Atharv Kulkarni said.
The club’s various departments include brainstorming, sound design, and programming, mirroring real game development processes to give students experience working in the field.
“Even if you hate video games, there’s a lot you can contribute… I came in with a love for music composition… you don’t have to love video games to love video game development,” Kulkarni said.
Add It Up & Technology Student Association (TSA) — room 306
Helping create opportunities, nonprofit branch Add It Up tutors students through “Late Start, Head Start” on Mondays. Additionally, TSA, a CTSO (Career and Technical Student Organization) technology club, innovates the real world through sectors like fashion and architecture. In each of these groups, a high school captain mentors and learns alongside them, creating new programs in one case.
“[Club captains are] not professionals yet, but to see that they have the experience and the passion for these different subjects, to be able to teach it and learn along with their group members is really, really amazing,” senior Om Gupta, club founder, said.
As the clubs were recently approved by the district, they hope to showcase at Club Refresh their “progress and products,” Gupta said, which included group photos, state champions, and builds.
Both clubs alternate meetings every Wednesday lunch, and Add It Up helps tutoring on Monday mornings and from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Euclid and Haskett libraries.
Youth Health Initiative — room 902
Youth Health Initiative hopes to improve student health one habit at a time. Meeting every other Wednesday at lunch, they seek to shed light on good habits students can do to prevent chronic conditions.
“When it first got approved by the district, I was making my board and gathering general members because it didn’t feel real, since making my own club had always been a dream of mine and I couldn’t believe it was coming true,” sophomore Raahi Patel said.
For the first step of the club’s vision, they sought to gain members. The process included designing a logo and creating an Instagram for the big day, Patel said.
All five clubs worked hard this semester to make Club Refresh worthwhile. Whether students came to check out new clubs or to seize sign-up bribes, the efforts put in by club leaders didn’t go unnoticed. If you couldn’t make it to Club Refresh this year, come to a club meeting!
