University School: A Pantheon of Clubs

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Zach Keum, Staff Writer

University School provides a plethora of extracurricular activities that broaden students’ interests outside of the classroom. Many clubs meet during lunch or after school, and they give students a chance to engage in topics that they are interested in and want to explore more.

Freshman Jacob Nathan, a member of the rocketry club, enjoys the club because he gets to “play with explosives.” In rocketry club, they build rockets, ranging up to 15 feet tall, and fly them high. So high, in fact, that the rockets interfere with airplane activity and must be approved by the FAA. They go to Dayton to launch their rockets and are preparing for the Tarc competition. If they qualify for nationals, they will head down to Virginia, and later to London if they qualify for nationals. They meet every Thursday after school, and sometimes meet for lunch on weekends. Contact Mr. Seibl if you are interested.

Junior Gabe Teel is a member of photography club. In photography club, you get the chance after school once or twice a month to shoot after school. In photo 1, you learn how to take photos, and in photo club, Mr. Starinsky helps students edit and Photoshop photos using adobe light room. Gabe enjoys this club because it gives you “more ways to express yourself through photos.” Moreover, sophomore Sai Karnati states, “Photography club is a unique experience to bond with your camera, nature, and your friends. It’s a genius idea for a club, and I almost wish I had came up with the idea myself.”

Junior Sumner Jones has been a member of book club since his freshman year. In book club, students read books and discuss the books over Chipotle lunch around once a month. He describes it as a “good way to get involved in the community” and that it “forces you to read which helps with writing in the classroom.” Sumner especially enjoyed reading The Road by Cormac McCarthy and Confessions.

Junior Peter Lehmann is a member of the sports debate club founded by junior Nate Mayor. They discuss topics that range from inside the community, to the four major sports (NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL). They have had one meeting so far, and they meet around once a month. Peter likes this club because it gives him the chance “to express opinions to a greater audience.” Contact Nate if you are interested.

PenOhio is a writing league comprised of public, private and parochial, high schools across Ohio who want to see great literary talent inspired, challenged, and rewarded. Through major Regional and State Tournaments, JV & Varsity teams compete for top honors and scholarships each spring in narrative writing after engaging in rigorous after-school training. Contact Mr. Garrett if you are interested.

There are also several clubs that offer a chance to bond over film. Sophomore Jack Miranda is a member of the Film Society, and they watch different films after school. Moreover, Sophomore Tony Peng and Senior Tony Zhang are members of the Anime Club, where they watch anime once a month and eat food. Tony Peng is also the head of FPS, a problem-solving club.

Junior Graeme Thomas is a member of the Math Club, which meets every Monday. They compete in Math Madness in which students compete with different schools and try to answer challenging mathematical problems. They also study for the OHML and various other math competitions like MathCon. He enjoys math club because it gives him the chance to “extend his knowledge beyond the parameters of the classroom.” Contact Mrs. McClellon if you are interested.

In Philosophy Club, students and faculty discuss issues such as “what does time mean.” They have read excerpts from Jean Paul Sartre’s book, Existentialism and Human Emotion, and watched a TED Talk from Stanford professor and philosopher, Phillip Zimbardo. They meet during both lunches once or twice a month. Contact Bobby Housel, Clay Lovell, or Mr. Garrett if you are interested.

Sophomore Eric Arklett is a member of the chess club, where then play chess after school for the enjoyment of chess. Eric describes it as “pick up chess.” Astute eyes might have noticed the numerous amounts of chessboards that have magically appeared throughout the school.

Junior Ian Binder is a member of the Financial Literacy Club, where they discuss topics such as investing, stocks, bonds, and currency. They meet around every two weeks during lunch, and bring in guest speakers from financial companies, some of which are US alums. Junior Riaz S Sitabkhan, replacing his older brother Rafiq as head of the club, is the person to reach out to if financial literacy is something you’re interested in.