Fall is fast approaching. Trees shed green coats in favor of golden highlights, migrating canadian geese soar overhead in tightly kerned v-formations, and the beloved Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte makes its return. For students at West High, though, September is more than just a drink menu – the first full month of a new school year means new friends, experiences, extracurriculars, and at the intersection of all three— clubs. 

   Every year during the third week of September, West holds its annual “Club Rush”, setting aside a lunch period for clubs to introduce themselves to their prospective members. On Wednesday September 14, hundreds of students walked past tables of eager organizers competing with each other for their attention – a beautifully chaotic sight to behold. Between the crowds and West’s impressive lineup of clubs though, it’s easy to get lost.    

   In most cases, joining a club is easy. With a few exceptions (Like C.S.F. and N.H.S, which have strict requirements for entry), it’s a matter of filling out a single piece of paper or Google Form at the first meeting. Remind is the king of Club Rush and Instagram is the queen. Most clubs use the two to post dates and deadlines for members. ASB’s Instagram page (@westwarriorasb) is a good place to start; they’ve posted three infographics with links to 15 different club accounts. Alternatively, you can use this link to see a complete list of this year’s clubs. 

   For many, deciding which club to join is hard. Choice paralysis is almost inevitable when confronted with so many options. Narrowing down the “type” of club you’re looking for might help, and here at West there are four club categories:

• Service Clubs: revolve around volunteering and fundraising
• Culture Clubs: celebrate a particular culture
• Academic Clubs: focus on the study of a subject, often competitively
• Special Interest Clubs: (the broadest category) include everything from Computer Science to Ceramics

   Each category has its own appeal. Nancy Kim (12) is an event coordinator for the Friendship Club (@whsfriendshipclub),a service club that “provide[s] social and emotional support” for students in special education, while “including their neurotypical peers in fun social activities.” For Kim, her club is a way to “make new friends and help our peers” – both hallmarks of a service club. Rumor has it that there will be pizza at the first meeting.

   If you’re not interested in a service club, you might try the brand new Sports Medicine Club (@westsportsmed). Co-founder Richa Thakre (11) explains it as a forum to discuss “common injuries in sports” and methods to “prevent and treat them” – going as far to teach treatment methods like “taping and first aid”. The club is open to “anyone [curious about] sports medicine, especially athletes” – a classic special interest club. 

   These are two of 52 clubs – no one said picking would be easy. Fortunately, finding a reason to join isn’t nearly as difficult. If not for the charity and community, then at least for the free pizza.