School is so much more than textbooks and tests. Are you looking for extra-curricular activities to keep you active and engaged? Or maybe just looking for a way to be involved in different campus events? Urban Assembly offers many clubs which serve many different purposes and help you develop new skills. Some clubs are small with a few people, While others have an abundant amount of members. Some are chill spaces to build community with people who have similar interests, While others help with the school itself. Here is a sampling of a few that I got to try. 

Restorative Justice

Restorative Justice is a club run by Mr. Traversa and Lindsey in room 743 and strives to resolve issues with a concept called “Restorative justice”. The club seeks to examine the harmful impact of a crime/issue and then determines what can be done to repair that harm while holding the person who caused it accountable for his or her actions. 

Activities

The club starts off with a discussion with everyone in a circular formation of chairs. They then proceed to go around the circle to answer a small, unrelated question. After everybody has shared, they usually bring out a recent conflict, either within the club or outside. 

My Experience

When I visited this club, It had started with a table with snacks on it. We started with a circular formation of chairs and answered a specific question or prompt. For the day I was there, we had to create a unique pose and say our names. After the specific prompt, they got into a discussion.

What do some members think?

•  “It’s a collaborative place for all”

•  “Encourages people to go out of their shell”

E-sports

Esports club is a club run by Ms. Espinal in room 744 and creates an environment for people to play video games and esports, similar to Gamer Haven.

Activities

The club has a gaming console set up in front for people to play their favorite esports or video games. In the back of the room, students can relax and play on their phones. 

My Experience

On my visit, I noticed that they were playing Super Smash Bros in the front of the room. In the back, most people were playing on their phones. Many were playing Fortnite. Almost everybody was occupied and nobody appeared to be left out.

Reviews

• “Strong bond between everyone”

• “Amazing Community here”

Nail Design

Nails Design club is a club run by Ms. Smith in room 746 and allows its members to practice their skills in Nail designing.

Activities

Using different nail equipment and accessories. Student’s take turns doing designs on each other’s nails and learning new techniques.  

My Experience

On my visit, I saw a few plastic hands with nails. I assume that those were for practicing nail designing without doing it on your own hand or a real hand. The room also had this interesting smell. It wasn’t bad or good, Just unique. 

Reviews

• “Great for practicing nails”

Yearbook Club

Yearbook Club is a club exclusive to seniors. It’s run by Ms. Smith and Lindsey in room 721. The main focus is gathering photos and memories in order to create the senior year book, which students will receive in June. 

Activities

The club has many computers. On the computers, people look at various old photos and decide which will make the final cut and how to creatively display them on the pages. 

My Experience

On my visit, I noticed that it was very quiet in the room. Everybody seemed really focused on what they were doing, You don’t usually see clubs like that very often. It was truly a unique experience. I liked seeing what goes on behind the scenes of making such an important memory for our seniors. 

Reviews

• “Im seeing people’s last moments before they go off to college”

Music Club

Music Club is a club run by Ms. Savage in room 659. It strives to open up students to their musical creativity.

Activities

The club has a closet full of instruments. Student’s are welcome to experiment with different musical instruments and let out their creativity.

My Experience

On my visit, I selected the keyboard since I’m experienced with it. It truly felt like a free space, I was able to play throughout the club and had a really nice time. 

Reviews

• “So loud”

• “It’s pretty great”

Fitness Club

Fitness Club is a club in the fitness room run by Mr. Taoufik. It’s filled with work out machines and equipment making it the perfect space for exercise.

Activities

The club starts and people put their belongings in the lockers next to the door. People then immediately get to work and begin exercising. Some people just lift weights while others practice boxing. There is a bathroom behind the boxing bag for people to clean themselves off and go to the restroom.

My experience

On my visit, I immediately went to the treadmills and ran for a bit, then I went to the boxing area. After that, I worked on the leg pull ups. It was an interesting place where people work out. It seems like a fun and useful place to be if you don’t have enough money for an actual gym membership. I had gotten so engaged by the club that I had stayed 25 minutes longer than I originally planned!

Reviews

• “Great space to work out”

•  “If you take your time and actually put in the work you most likely will see results”

Newspaper Club

The school newspaper is run by Ms Pinto and Mr Guerrero, they meet in Mr. Gurrero’s room every Thursday (or Friday Lunch as a backup if you can’t meet Thursday). Students act as journalists by reporting on local events and writing articles about different topics that are of interest to the school community. 

Activities

The club starts with a warm up activity and reviewing important upcoming deadlines and events. Students select article topics and do research and writing each week with the support of the advisors. The articles appear in the online school newspaper for all of UAG to read. 

My experience

This one is different for me because I actually am a member. I’m a journalist and the Social Media manager. I get the inside scoop on school news and write about it. Ms. Pinto always shares her homemade snacks and we brainstorm and get to bounce ideas off each other for stories we want to report on. I feel like a real reporter. 

Reviews

• “ I love the idea of helping students learn about what’s happening in school”

• “ I feel like I’ve grown a lot and learned to write in a new way” 

What do I recommend?

The truth is, you should choose whatever club fits your taste. Don’t feel like you have to choose only one. Some clubs are for fun, while others are to help the school. Every club has different opportunities to meet new people, find new talents, and learn new skills. It will help prospective colleges know you’re more than just your transcript.