Regardless of how long you’ve been at Fenwick, you’ve most likely heard about the multitude of clubs offered here. However, did you know about the more eclectic clubs, such as the bagpipe club, preaching team, and more? In this issue, we interviewed Mr. Barabasz to get his thoughts on what makes a club as unique as those successful at Fenwick. He offers advice for students hoping to start new clubs, notes the many clubs that have emerged in the past years, and explains how his role as Assistant Principal of Logistics and Activities of Fenwick relates to clubs.
While Mr. Barabasz’s job covers a great deal that doesn’t involve clubs, he still is very engaged in the club community and works to keep them up and running. “I work with club moderators to set expectations for all our clubs, help coordinate events for their specific clubs, and track student involvement.” Much of the success of clubs at Fenwick can be attributed to Mr. Barabasz for these very roles that he fulfills. Without his help, we would be lost as to which clubs garner interest, and which are best left alone. This way, our more singular clubs get the chance to shine.
When asked about clubs that have emerged at Fenwick more recently, Mr. Barabasz commented that communities like the Aviation Club and Pride Alliance are newer to Fenwick. You may have heard mention of them over the announcements, and we encourage you to give the newer clubs a chance to grow by joining them yourself. Of course, there have also been clubs whose purposes have shifted enough to be considered new as well.
Ultimately, to form an entirely new club, Mr. Barabasz recommends that students, “…emphasize their passion. Showing a true passion and care for something that is important to you allows others to express themselves as well. Clubs need engagement and activity levels to thrive. To thrive there needs to be passion.” That being said, what new clubs are Fenwick students interested in having? Interviewing the student population shed some light on what the Fenwick Community would like to see next year.
Among some more creative answers, such as “Nap Club,” some students expressed a passion for more leisurely after-school activities. A popular answer was a kind of “Food Tasting Club,” where students would have the chance to sample foods from different cultures and discuss how food impacts our own culture and lives.
By far, however, the most requested club among students was a “Fiber Art Club.” In case you are unfamiliar, fiber art pertains to forms of artistry expressed through knitting, crochet, and any other kind of activity involving the use of fiber materials. Even so, this answer comes as no surprise following the pandemic. It would seem that the Fenwick community and beyond are searching for new opportunities and hobbies and have found success in yarn and thread.
With all of this in mind, it is undoubtedly true that clubs play an important role at Fenwick and provide a space for like-minded individuals to gather and express their passion. They offer limitless opportunities and are sustained by the likes of Mr. Barabasz and other club moderators, who ensure the smooth operation of these groups. Besides, they look rather good in a college essay, don’t they?
