On Sept. 11, Ida B. Wells-Barnett High School had their annual club fair. During flex in the cafeteria, club leaders shared information about over 60 student-led clubs at IBW. The building was full of energy as students navigated the crowded cafeteria, searching for clubs that piqued their interest.

Clubs are a great way to get involved in a new community. Whether it be Women’s Lacrosse Club, Key Club or Model United Nations, there is a club for everyone. They allow students to explore extracurriculars, meet new people and find a home at IBW. 

There were some changes made to the club fair set-up this year. “I did not put any clubs in the math hall or the area by the bathroom because it was super crowded and people didn’t really pay attention to the clubs there,” said Georgia Fleschner, a leadership student organizing the club fair. 

“I wanted every club to have the opportunity to get sign ups.” 

Many clubs represent cultural or religious identities and allow students a safe place to be around people similar to them. “It has allowed me to find [a] community with people just like me and connect with people who are a part of that specific identity,” said Gabe Horwitz, one of the student leaders of the Jewish Student Union. IBW also has a Christian Fellowship Club, Asian Desi Pacific Islander Club and Black Student Union among others.

Another club at the school is Improv Club, where students meet in room 108 during lunch on Wednesdays to participate in and watch improv games. “I really love how positive everyone is. It is a really fun environment,” said Jane Henson, a leader of the Improv Club. She has been a part of the improv community at the school for the past three years.

This year they are making it even easier for students to start their own club. “I am working on getting a club module on the class canvas page about what time clubs meet and also how you can create a new club,” said Fleschner. 

She also mentioned that she was, “hoping that we can do a second semester club fair.” This would give students the opportunity to find clubs they may have missed and get even more involved. 

This year’s club fair was a success and students across every grade signed up for clubs, both as first-time and returning members. “There are clubs for everybody,” said Fleschner.