by Anthony Ramirez ‘16
Saint Ignatius is fortunate to provide a home for a burgeoning community of student leaders – entrepreneurial souls dedicated to the formation of dynamic, innovative organizations that provide a space for like-minded students to succeed. Students who start clubs should be celebrated, though their ambition may sometimes outlast their organization. The purpose of this column is to provide a status check on clubs born during the course of the 2013-14 school year; may the 2014-15 year be equally productive.
Arabic Club— السلام عليكم, or “may peace be upon you, Ignatius.” If you want to learn how to speak and write in the most widely spoken language in the Middle East, stop by at an Arabic Club meeting. You will learn some basic phrases as well as the fundamentals of the Arabic alphabet, of immense importance in a time when Arab nations are at the center of so many international events.
Since its inception in the second semester of this year, the Arabic Club has garnered over twenty active members, with about a dozen showing up to each meeting to share their knowledge or learn Arabic. The original purpose of the club was an introduction to Arabic, but with an abundance of advanced speakers the club has expanded its purpose to more intense learning.
Archery Club— Bullseye! After a challenging, year-long application process, the Archery Club was approved in the second quarter of this year. With thirty active members and and ten to twenty showing up to each meeting it is the largest new club of the year. Teenage boys have flocked in droves to celebrate a sport that is martial in theory but jovial in practice. Archers practice shooting from different distances, and occasionally hold scored tournaments. The members are continuing to improve their bowmanship and the club looks to be shooting straight for years to come.
College Experience Club— Looking to travel and find out more about your life after high school? If so, the College Experience Club is right for you. The College Experience Club was formed in the late third quarter this year in collaboration with the college counseling department to provide a way for Ignatius students to visit different colleges around the country. Significant interest has been shown in college travel by many students, although the primary club activities will have to wait until early next year. The College Experience Club is a great way to show colleges your interest, and the moderators expect to see the club thriving in the future.
Hydroponics Club— Innovation and creative design in gardening is the core focus of the Hydroponics Club. The club was formed early this year and has seen great results to date. Members construct systems to grow plants hydroponically, which means using indoor agricultural systems in which plants are immersed in water, not soil. The produce is then given to charity. So far, over five pounds of lettuce have been produced while tomatoes and peppers are in the works. Currently the Hydroponics Club has eighteen active members with ten to fifteen showing up to each meeting, but the members expect some growth over the years because of the unique combination of opportunities the club provides. Melding agriculture, engineering, and charity, Hydroponics Club is one of the most innovative clubs you can join at Saint Ignatius.
Nerf Club— The Nerf Club, or the self-proclaimed “most prepared club in 25 years,” is a club for those who want to have fun with Nerf guns. The club’s senior staff had dozens of different play styles and games planned by the time of the first meeting, following an extensive review process. The club finally gained official approval in the third quarter following a semester of trying to convince Mr. Hennessey and Mr. Franzinger that it merited school recognition. With twenty-nine members it is around the same size as the Archery Club, which may inspire a fearsome rivalry. The Saint Ignatius Nerf Club (SINC) aspires to provide a natural home for those interested in participating in foam-bullet barrages or learning advanced engineering techniques through modifying (“modding”) NERF technology. The club hopes to have gained momentum following the first official competition on May 17.
