Woodgrove offers many clubs, ranging from social, to academics, to athletics. In fact, it hosts over 60 clubs for the student body to enjoy. This year, they are introducing new club policies that all clubs must follow. Including new terms for creating a new club. Abiding by these rules are six new clubs: Cancer Kids First, Woodgrove Christians in Action, Future Healthcare Leaders, Astronomy Club, Weightlifting Club, and NFL Club.
Mr. Jeff Schutte, the activities coordinator, is in charge of all club activities. One of the biggest things Schutte has to do for clubs is make the schedule. Unlike most schools Woodgrove has a dedicated time for clubs during school hours. Schutte has to organize what clubs can meet on which days, if that classroom is free or occupied, and if the sponsor is available. What most people do not know is that Schutte is not the specific person that approves or denies clubs. All clubs have to be approved by the central office for the entire county. Schutte’s job is to help students to get their clubs approved by the central office. “We want kids to do something that is engaging to them so we’re going to try and say yes as much as we can,” Schutte explained. When someone wants to propose a new club they have to fill out a form where they must share things like, five other people interested in the club, a teacher sponsor, and most importantly a mission goal that is unique enough from all of the other clubs at Woodgrove.
President of Cancer Kids First club, Tyler Spagnoli, a sophomore, spoke about his experience with his green day club. “We host informational sessions, we have care packages, and card making for the pediatric cancer patients,” Spagnoli informed. Cancer Kids First is a cancer patient outreach program started in 2019 by Olivia Zhang when she was a junior at McLean High School at the time. Since then, the club has grown to be the largest youth run nonprofit organization in America. At Woodgrove, Spagnoli and his co-president started their own chapter this summer. “I really love being a part of this club, it always makes me feel better to know I’m helping the life of someone that’s been less fortunate,” Spagnoli stated.
Future Healthcare Leaders, sponsored by Ms. Candace King, aims to help students who are interested in pursuing a career in a medical discipline learn more about the area of study, allowing for shadowing opportunities and volunteer experiences for Woodgrove students to engage in. Sophomore Arabella Horton is president of Future Healthcare Leaders and shared how after she had joined neuroscience club last year she wanted to make a club for all people who want to go into the medical field. “I noticed that there wasn’t really anything specifically relating to those who are interested in medicine and healthcare careers…I thought that starting a club would help people start learning about these careers,” Horton described.
Astronomy Club, Sponsored by Ms. Sara Miller, covers all things space related. Astronomy club was founded by senior Nathaniel Leitch and meets on green club days. Astronomy club plans to teach astronomy lessons during their club time as well as play games, take field trips, and go stargazing. This club is doing many things that may be engaging to anyone who is interested in space or general sciences. Leitch shared why he and his other co-presidents decided to start astronomy club. “We decided to start astronomy club because astronomy is cool and there’s a lot more out there to explore just from the backyard telescope. There is so much you can discover on your own with what you have, without having to go overboard and having to buy an extravagant contraption,” he explained.
Woodgrove Christians in Action, sponsored by Dr. DongPhuong Truong, is one of the school’s biggest clubs with over 70 people attending just the first meeting. Club president, sophomore Mackenzie Canete shared, “I wanted to start this club because we already had two existing Christian based clubs at our school, but they are more focused on bible study instead of putting our faith into action.” Woodgrove Christians in Action aims to help raise money for children’s hospitals, make ‘blessing bags’ for people who are less fortunate, as well as collecting donations for various other charities and organizations.
Weightlifting club founder Gabe Hattingh, a freshman and self proclaimed “former loser,” has partnered with Mrs. Sarah Miller to create the Weightlifting Club. “I started lifting in sixth grade, really because I realized I was a loser, so I started weightlifting and I fixed myself.” Hattingh stated, looking back at the start of his lifting career. A blue day club, Weightlifting will be open to all students looking to train for sports or to strengthen themselves.
NFL Club, an everything football related club, started by Lucca Marracini, and sponsored by Mr. Ryan Dyke and Mr. Doug Dylan, NFL club meets on Wednesday mornings. A twist on past NFL clubs, Marracini’s club is based on weekly reviews, talks about games, predictions and prizes, rather than a focus on trivia, tossing around a football, and socializing with friends. Although it is a social club, it is very competitive with members making picks each week to win prizes. Marracini stated, “We have serious conversations about topics in the National Football League, we all give our input, and focus on the game.”
This year, there are three new policies that can directly affect club attendance and operations. One of the biggest new policies that directly affects clubs states that once a semester every club will be required to host an event, or join an already existing one to help promote their club. For example, a club may want to host an event during lunch for a week to get the word out about their club. Another new policy that can affect club attendance says that on the day of the club all students who want to participate in clubs must be in their first or fifth block by 9:30. There was previously a 15 minute grace period for people to show up to their first block late and still attend activities but that has been removed this year. The last policy affecting clubs and students is that starting November 1 some groups may choose to become a ‘closed club.’ Any members of a closed club will not have to sign up for the activity at the start of the week, allowing members of groups that tend to be in high demand a guaranteed spot. However closed clubs are not closed to everyone who did not sign up, the student just has to reach out to the club sponsor to see if there’s space for them.
With many new clubs, and more counting, are just a few of the many clubs offered and founded by Wolverines. With Woodgrove’s large selection of clubs and afterschool activities, most students can find their place among peers, and if not, they can follow their interests and start their own club.