The clock hits 2:20 and the bell rings. Students rise from their chairs, some going to sports, others off to jobs and another group making their way to one of Loy Norrix’s many after-school clubs. From DECA to sword-and-board, from creative writing and poetry to philosophy or Knights for Christ, after-school clubs are helping students make new friendships that will last a lifetime.
“One of the things that you see in a lot of after school clubs is that students who would normally never ever meet each other are now put in the same location and, in a lot of ways, are encouraged and sometimes just inadvertently forced to work together and communicate with each other,” said math teacher and sword-and-board and archery club leader Corey Obryan.
Through clubs and after-school activities, many students form unexpected friendships with new people. Students are encouraged to work together and to face challenges presented to them by their club leaders and the real world.
According to an article from the University of Wisconsin, participation in extracurricular activities can have benefits such as improved grades, higher standardized test scores, improved attendance and positive and supportive relationships between students.
“I definitely think that clubs build relationships. I’ve actually made a lot of new friendships out of my clubs and extracurriculars,” said junior Brielle Dalke.
Brielle has been involved in numerous activities around the school, including cheerleading, Key Club, Bible Club and she even founded her own club, Artwork for Angels.
Artwork for Angels is a club where students plan various community service projects to help those in need and utilize their creativity to uplift others.
Another benefit of after-school clubs is the relationships you make with people outside of your club. Clubs like Link Crew, in which upperclassmen help lowerclassmen become oriented to the school, help uplift the community overall. The connection to an experienced student at the school can also help freshmen settle into their new classes.
“I think that when students find a club to get involved in, it can help them get connected with other peers and adults in the building, which is really good for them,” said school psychologist and Link Crew coordinator Ms. Milton. “I like that I get to interact with students that I don’t normally get to in my job.”
