By Gabriel Brogan

Extracurriculars are an important part of student life at McCaskey. Hundreds of students play one or more sports throughout the year, and 17% are involved in a club, according to Mrs. Slick, our activities director. Sports and clubs are a great way to meet people with similar interests, and are a major motivator of good attendance. Additionally, extracurriculars keep students’ grades up. PIAA standards require students to have no more than two Fs to play a sport, and many clubs require a far higher grade standard. That said, for students less involved in afterschool programs, what are the options?

Here at McCaskey, we have a lot of extracurricular activities. We’ve all heard about McCaskey’s illustrious athletics program, with its variety of sports from football to baseball to bowling. Many of us are members of the music program’s various classes and clubs, whether it be marching band, orchestra, voices of freedom, or others. The theater is busy year round with our fall play, winter musical, and spring children’s production.  

But what about the lesser-known clubs? The club fair gives students the opportunity to get a look at their club options, but not everyone is ready to jump into a club based on a quick conversation at a booth, or start attending a club that early in the year. Not every club will appeal to every person. But there are lots of clubs potentially flying under your radar. Maybe one of these clubs will pique your interest- and fill your next afternoon. 

If you need to get some things off your chest, Reach might be the club for you. Nemari Morales, a McCaskey junior, has been doing Reach since freshman year. “We’re a support group… When you speak, you are heard by everyone in the crowd. We introduce everyone in the room, ask questions, break the ice, try to make everyone feel welcome.” A typical Reach meeting includes Bubble, where everyone shares the highs and lows of their week, and time for everyone to go in depth about what’s weighing on them. “With everyone’s statement, there’s always someone there that can offer support when you’re in need.” Nemari shared about a time when they had been down and needed someone to help them up, and went to Reach for support. “I was met with at least four responses from both adults and students who were able to help me find resources to get back on track.”

Reach meets 3:00-4:30 in JP room 203 every Tuesday. They also have a weekend camping trip every March for dedicated members, and frequent parties and special events. Reach is always accepting new members, and for more information, you can go to Ms. Kaminski in room 203 or Brother Albrecht, the club’s current advisor. 

Maybe you aren’t looking for a support group, but are a fan of fantasy and improv. Mr. Thomas’ Dungeons & Dragons club meets Mondays and Thursdays from 3:00-4:45, and is welcoming potential new players. For those unfamiliar with the game, D&D is an interactive storytelling game that Mr. Thomas describes as “Like playing a video game together with your friends, except everyone has an active hand in building the narrative.” 

Mr. Thomas’ favorite part of D&D club is “the story that everyone gets to tell together…every time you play, you’re building memories.” D&D club could also be a way to build tight friendships for more introverted students, as the club has only 10 members. Mr. Thomas doesn’t want a lack of experience to scare anyone, either. “Everyone is welcome to walk in, it doesn’t matter if you’ve been playing the game for four or five years, or never before.”

My search for cool clubs next brought me to Tiyya Geiger, a McCaskey senior who is president of both NHS (National Honors Society) and BSU (Black Student Union). If you’re interested in learning more about Black culture and want to have fun while you’re at it, then BSU is for you. BSU “takes fun activities and turns them into lessons about the history and culture of the diaspora.” BSU meetings include group discussions, games, and case studies. Tiyya appreciates BSU’s ability to “Take the difficult conversations about race and make them fun.” BSU meets every second and fourth Thursday of the month in C128, and students of all races are welcome. 

For the academic achievers, there’s National Honor Society. NHS is a club focused on community engagement and service, a big resume booster for college-bound students. NHS service projects are in the realm of book drives and park cleanups, focusing on bigger projects as many of the club’s members already have to volunteer individually to fulfill their CAS (community, action, service) requirement of the IB diploma. Tiyya summarizes the club’s mission, “We come together as a club to do big group activities.” 

Tiyya likes how NHS brings out “a lot of young people that take the initiative and are committed to service.” NHS is a little more selective than other clubs. Students going into 11th grade with an unweighted GPA of 3.5 or higher will get an invitation to apply. A teacher recommendation is also required for acceptance. Despite NHS’ barriers to entry, it’s a relatively low-commitment club. NHS meets only once a month on the third Wednesday of the month, in addition to its community service projects.  

For those students looking for more of a commitment that don’t want to play sports, there is Mock Trial, a high-action simulation of courtroom battles complete with real judges. Mock Trial members act as attorneys and witnesses, and defend against or prosecute other schools in tournaments and scrimmages throughout the late fall and winter. Susannah Ardia, a leader on the Mock Trial team loves how Mock Trial “Makes you a much better public speaker and really helps with confidence in that way.” Since joining Mock Trial, Susannah has found herself “A lot more eloquent and able to really synthesize information more quickly.” 

Susannah adds that while Mock Trial improves confidence and speaking skills, it’s “Definitely not for the faint of heart.” Mock Trial has a looser schedule with practice times that wax and wane with the season. “Sometimes we meet twice a week, sometimes 3 or 4 times a week. In peak season it’s definitely at least 10 hours a week, including at-home time.” If you’re up for the Mock Trial challenge and want more information, see Mr. Webster, the club’s advisor. 

There’s a lot more than just sports and music here at McCaskey. From BSU to D&D, our school offers a broad spectrum of clubs for all types—hopefully one of them interests you. To learn more about McCasky’s clubs, talk to club director Mrs. Slick or any of our numerous club advisors and presidents on campus, or click this link to a list of clubs and their advisors.