Samo goes clubbing
Matilde Martinez-Navarrete, Staff Writer
On Oct. 20, Samo’s Inter-Clubs Council (ICC) hosted a club row to encourage students to enlist in clubs. Club representatives set up their booths in the Science Quad, inviting students to join with friendly faces and fun posters (and some treats here and there). Stereos blasted music in the background, creating a bustling atmosphere accompanied by lively chatter.
Students mingled around the Quad, looking for clubs that suited them. Aysel Jang (’24) was among them and was happy to find a wide variety of options.
“I think it was exciting to see what clubs they had to offer. It was interesting seeing all the different people and clubs at Samo,” Jang said.
Nicole Barikhan (’22) and Lucia Maniqis (’24), heads of ICC, were in charge of setting up club row this year. Barikhan and Maniquis first had to solicit an activity permit for the event. Once it was approved, they opened a club row application to club representatives. These representatives set up their tables during flex time and opened business during lunch.
“Every representative represented the club very well, students came into the Innovation Quad and signed up for clubs they wanted to participate in; overall I think it went very smoothly, ” Barikhan said.
One of the clubs that participated this year, Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán (M.E.Ch.A.), focuses on informing the student body about the Chicanx community and promoting resources that will help them reach higher education. M.E.Ch.A. President Lesly De Pablo’s (’22) work on social media enabled the club to gain some members during quarantine, and she is glad club row was able to further expand it.
“We do appreciate club row as it gave us the opportunity to personally engage with interested students.After club row, we have increased the number of members. We hope we can all get to know each other better on an intimate level,” De Pablo said.
The interactions between clubs and their members will encourage the growth of students and foster diverse communities throughout campus. Studies also show that joining a club is a great way for students to improve their communication skills and make new friends, with the bonus of looking good on college applications.
“I encourage all students who have not yet joined a club to please join one because it’s very important to be involved in Samo, and this is a great way to do so!,” Barikhan said.
Matilde Martinez-Navarrete / The Samohi