Club Connections in Quarantine
Ariel Hammerash ‘21 Copy Editor
On September 21, club leaders reunited with old members and welcomed new students to their ranks through an online club fair. Virtual school may have affected club activities, but Howard High’s student involvement in clubs continues — a crucial connection in an isolated world.
Virtual school would not be complete without extracurricular activities, something that Howard High administration has addressed with the club fair and creation of the SEL period. Every third Monday, the time from 10:50 to 11:20 is set aside for club meetings. Clubs can also meet any time before or after school, meaning many clubs are already blocking out time in their schedules to hold Google Meets with their members. The school has not yet released a policy about club gatherings in person, so any activities will have to be conducted virtually. For example, a virtual walkathon to raise donations. Clubs will need to adapt an innovative mindset to ensure activities are enjoyable and accessible. As Ms. Sowada, sponsor of Shelter Supporters, described this experience, “We’re building the plane as we’re flying it.”
Unfortunately, some clubs were not able to survive the transition to virtual. Social gathering clubs that thrive in a relaxed, sociable environment, such as Tea Club, are not on the virtual club roster. For the clubs that remain, virtual events often pale in comparison to those held in person. In the case of the Ice Hockey Club — a club focused on growing team camaraderie and creating a welcoming playing environment — virtual meetings may have dampened their traditional “rhythm and relationship building,” according to the sponsor, Mr. McGoun.
Another aspect of virtual clubs is the need for greater communication and organization, something that Emily Guerrero, an officer of Shelter Supporters, believes is more difficult virtually, since “not everyone has access to computers and devices 24/7.” Clubs will soon have their own Canvas groups, which may aid organization and communication.
Consensus is that virtual clubs are better than no club at all. Virtual clubs can even have distinct advantages. Even with busy schedules, students can still drop into a meet. Evie Shedleski, the president of Shelter Supports, notes that membership “has actually increased since virtual learning began.” Most important is the enduring sense of community found in clubs that lightens the burden of social isolation. Mr. McGoun described how his club members become “part of a family,” with “people to support you when you need it, especially when [people are] feeling disjointed and disconnected in these pandemic times.”
Virtual school would not be complete without extracurricular activities, something that Howard High administration has addressed with the club fair and creation of the SEL period. Every third Monday, the time from 10:50 to 11:20 is set aside for club meetings. Clubs can also meet any time before or after school, meaning many clubs are already blocking out time in their schedules to hold Google Meets with their members. The school has not yet released a policy about club gatherings in person, so any activities will have to be conducted virtually. For example, a virtual walkathon to raise donations. Clubs will need to adapt an innovative mindset to ensure activities are enjoyable and accessible. As Ms. Sowada, sponsor of Shelter Supporters, described this experience, “We’re building the plane as we’re flying it.”
Unfortunately, some clubs were not able to survive the transition to virtual. Social gathering clubs that thrive in a relaxed, sociable environment, such as Tea Club, are not on the virtual club roster. For the clubs that remain, virtual events often pale in comparison to those held in person. In the case of the Ice Hockey Club — a club focused on growing team camaraderie and creating a welcoming playing environment — virtual meetings may have dampened their traditional “rhythm and relationship building,” according to the sponsor, Mr. McGoun.
Another aspect of virtual clubs is the need for greater communication and organization, something that Emily Guerrero, an officer of Shelter Supporters, believes is more difficult virtually, since “not everyone has access to computers and devices 24/7.” Clubs will soon have their own Canvas groups, which may aid organization and communication.
Consensus is that virtual clubs are better than no club at all. Virtual clubs can even have distinct advantages. Even with busy schedules, students can still drop into a meet. Evie Shedleski, the president of Shelter Supports, notes that membership “has actually increased since virtual learning began.” Most important is the enduring sense of community found in clubs that lightens the burden of social isolation. Mr. McGoun described how his club members become “part of a family,” with “people to support you when you need it, especially when [people are] feeling disjointed and disconnected in these pandemic times.”
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ELLICOTT CITY, MARYLAND, OCTOBER 1- Picture One displays someone editing a manuscript. Picture Two shows a cat in a paper bag. (Yes, he did get in the bag of his own volition.) Picture Three shows a bookshelf. These photographs represent three different clubs at Howard High School. Can you guess which ones? A. HAMMERASH/ LION’S TALE
Answers: 1 - Creative Writing Club, 2 - Shelter Supporters, 3 - Book Club
