Highline provides many opportunities to get involved on campus and one of the best ways to meet like-minded students is through student clubs. The array of organizations designed for students to bond through common interests was on display this past week as Highline kicked off its fall quarter with ThunderWeek.
Bryce Manley/THUNDERWORD
Academic Success Center representative advertises the many resources her organization provides to students such as the Math Resource Center, Tutoring Center, Writing Center, and Public Speaking Center.
Each day, there was a new event to welcome students to campus, meet staff and peers, and give them an idea of what resources and activities are available to them.
From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday Sept. 27 was the Student Club Fair. There was food, music, and, of course, booths informing people about the various clubs, programs, and resources available to students across campus.
“I want to find a club that interests me here. I think joining the club will give me some different experiences,” said Highline student Hikaru Kubota.
“I think I could make some new friends in the club,” continued Kubota, who also believes that many students have the same purpose as her for participating in the club fair.
The staff at each club enthusiastically chatted with everyone who stopped in front of their booths. Even if you came up to ask for directions to the restrooms, they would not feel disturbed and would kindly point you in the right direction.
There was the GSA – the Gender and Sexuality Alliance – whose booth was run by the club president, Andy Cassatt. She’s been a part of the club since starting at Highline last fall, and describes it as a place where members of the LGBTQIA+ community and their allies can have a safe place to hang out, taking place every other Wednesday from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Bryce Manley/THUNDERWORD
The Clubs at Highline organization (left), Computer Science Club (center), and Physics Club (right), advertise themselves to prospective members.
Some clubs haven’t been officially recognized yet, like the New Experiences Social Club, which is being started by Bernadette Sheran, who had a very passionate pitch she gave to anyone who walked up about a club that meets every other week to try something new.
And there are some clubs that have been around a while, like the Table Tennis Club – which got its start in 2005, and was at one point the biggest club at Highline, until being shut down due to Covid. But Martin Caoagdan and his brother Marvin, as president and vice president respectively, have started it back up this year, set to meet every Friday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
The Physics Club is for anyone interested in physics, math, and STEM to come and hang out and work on projects, says the club secretary.
All in all, Highline has a lot to offer, and a lot of passionate people behind it. Even if students didn’t find something that appealed to them at the fair, they left with smiles on their faces. Seeing Hikaru Kubota again, she said, “Although I didn’t find the club that suits me, I did have delicious food here!”
If you’re new to campus, or just looking for somewhere new to fit in, rest assured, Highline will have something for you.