Students can now further their Prep experience by joining and participating in different clubs and activities. Last year the pandemic played a big role in how clubs at Prep functioned. School was a hybrid of in-person and remote learning, which meant clubs and club meetings were virtual as well. Instead of being able to meet after school, clubs had to make Microsoft Teams meetings or Zoom calls to plan events, services, or even just to discuss when the next meeting would be.
“COVID was a huge effect”, Mr. DeSalvo said, “For example, the Christmas dinner Key Club holds every year had to be tweaked a bit. Instead of them coming into the building to eat and get supplies, it was more of a to go thing. That aspect made it less personal in a way.”
Key Club is all about service and giving back to the community. With the pandemic, all of that in-person service became more of a challenge to do. Mr. Fleming, debate club advisor, was able to elaborate further on the struggles that came with COVID.
“We weren’t allowed to do in-person debates anymore, which meant we had to do them all virtually,” Mr. Fleming said.” These virtual debates were much harder because the Teams meetings and Zoom calls weren’t as efficient as being in person. A positive from this though is that we saw a lot more alumni support through them being judges and even popping into meetings to help students.”
Even though COVID was a huge setback for everyone, it was important to stay optimistic and push forward through the hardships that came with it. Prep has been able to persevere while also adding more clubs and building on the current clubs it has always offered.
“I am very optimistic for the future of this club,” Mr. Fleming said. We have all returning members from last year and lots of interest from freshmen and sophomores who want to join. I hope this club will be able to grow bigger in size and success in the future as we move on.”
For any students interested, clubs and activities at Prep still want more people to join. The future of these clubs lays in the hands of the student body, mainly underclassman, which Mr. DeSalvo talks more about.
“This year’s club is looks good, but is very upperclassmen heavy,” Mr. DeSalvo said, “I’d love to see more underclassmen join so that we have more sustainability for the future. I would also love to see more diversity in the groups we are serving. Other than that, I think that this year’s club is very promising. I am very excited to see what service opportunities and fundraisers we will accomplish this year and in the near future.”
Each of the clubs offered at Prep allows students to do various activities whether it is for the community or just for experience in something. For example, clubs like Key Club, campus ministry, and diversity club teach students valuable lessons and even let them give back to the community. These types of clubs also look great on resumes when applying for colleges.
“Service shows that you are a well-rounded student as a person in society,” Mr. DeSalvo said. “Key Club is one of the clubs that gives students the opportunity to do service for various organizations. It even gives scholarships to students who are a part of the club.”
These clubs and activities aren’t only just for fun but they can even help students as they apply to colleges. Depending on what the club is, adding that they were part of a club not only makes students look more well-rounded but it also shows that they are really interested in what they may want to major in.
“It’s a great resume builder because it allows colleges to see that members of the club can see different topics and use critical thinking to argue/debate on those topics,” Mr. Fleming said.
These clubs give students opportunities in other ways as well. Students have opportunities to go on trips, listen to guest speakers/alumni, or even compete against other schools on a state level or even a national level.
“Students get to go on trips to different cities like Chicago, Boston, Washington, and more.,
Cyber Patriot does not travel, but they do get the opportunity to compete on a nationwide level against other schools across the country to try and become number one.
The clubs listed are only a small sample of all the clubs and activities Prep offers. Other clubs include National Honors Society, Student Council, Intramurals, Badminton, A/V, Mission Club, Steam Club, and Spanish Club. All the teachers and staff involved with these clubs are very involved, and they all love helping their members.
“I am excited to see the future of all the clubs Prep has to offer and for any clubs that may be added in the near future,” Mr. Fleming said, “Roll Ramblers!”
