There is no doubt – one of the most important things about the high school experience is extracurricular activities. Here at Northwestern, we have a dazzling array of choices. However, with the popularity of our highly accomplished sports teams, other groups can sometimes get overshadowed by athletics.

Finding the right club that matches your interests can be like finding a needle in a haystack. Once you find it, then there’s the challenge of how to join. Sometimes, if you don’t know whom to ask, you can miss out on incredible opportunities.

So, I’ve decided to give the academic clubs at Northwestern the attention they deserve. I’ve spoken with members of several high school clubs, as well as some faculty club advisers. Here’s what your “club concierge” has found out.

A significant portion of the clubs at NWLHS are service-based. One of the most popular service clubs is the Interact club. This club is sponsored by the Allentown Rotary Club, a community service organization. Students can join Interact by attending the interest meeting at the start of the school year. Members of the club meet monthly and often organize projects to serve the New Tripoli community. Every month, members read children’s books to elementary schoolers and put together “snack packs” for the Lowhill Food Pantry. One member said she initially joined Interact because of the boost it would give her transcript, but then realized her genuine passion for helping the community and making connections with younger students.

Competitive clubs are also an exciting way to participate in extracurricular activities at Northwestern. Our debate club saw a surge in new membership this year and is thriving in its competitions this season. Members meet weekly and spend the season researching the chosen topics putting together cohesive arguments with their team. All of the teams then travel throughout the Lehigh Valley to compete against other schools’ teams. Students can join by attending the club’s fall semester interest meeting or reaching out to the club’s adviser, Mrs. Linda Paist.

Students aren’t the only ones who benefit from the clubs – the advisers get something too. “My favorite thing about being the debate team coach is seeing the look in a new debater’s eyes after they’re debated for the first time,” Mrs. Paist said. “Instead of feeling nervous, they are triumphant. They can’t wait to do it again!” She also deeply appreciates the fact that team members are learning real-life argument skills in a setting that revolves around teamwork. The effect of her encouragement is evident by this season’s many debate wins.

One member described how she joined the club because her older sister had participated in it and has gained a supportive network of friends that feels like a second family.

Other activities include culture and/or affinity clubs. Foreign Language and International Cultures club (or FLIC, to students), is both fun and informative. Members of FLIC research and discuss the customs, traditions, and cultural aspects of other countries and peoples. Every week, members give presentations about the culture and customs of different countries. Additionally, the club hosts our yearly FLICfest – an event where all students can participate in activities and explore different world cultures. Attending the interest meeting at the start of the year will give students the chance to join. The club’s adviser, Mr. Paul Tomlin, says that his favorite thing about being adviser of FLIC is watching his students connect through learning about each other and sharing their experiences with and research about other cultures. One member expressed how her curiosity about the world around us influenced her to join. She says that FLIC has served her by giving her foreign language skills and deepening her understanding of other cultures.

This brief overview is just a sample of the many clubs that NWLHS has to offer. With 18 plus clubs to choose from, there is something for everyone. From service-based, to competitive, to cultural understanding, these organizations enhance a student’s academic experience. Although they are an additional time commitment in already busy schedules, they are appreciated by the students who experience them.