Mid-Pen’s gym turned into a hub of activity last Wednesday at the school’s annual Club Fair, as 19 student clubs and affinity groups set up booths to recruit new members. With colorful signs and bowls of candy to attract interest, the clubs showcased opportunities ranging from fashion to rocketry. As enthusiastic students made their way from table to table, discovering the many ways to get involved beyond the classroom, the fair underscored Mid-Pen’s strong emphasis on connection and community.

This year’s lineup featured 12 student-led clubs, including familiar favorites like Dragon Committee (the team behind dances, spirit events, and prom), Dungeons & Dragons Club, Fashion Federation, and Yearbook Club. Newcomers like Chess Club, Film Club, and Vintage & Antique Club drew plenty of interest as students considered trying something fresh.

Alongside the clubs, seven affinity groups—AANHPI Affinity, Black Student Union, First Generation College Bound, Jewish Student Union, LatinX Affinity, Neurodivergent Affinity, and Pride Alliance—provided safe spaces for students to celebrate identity, share experiences, and support one another. Together, they represent the wide range of passions, perspectives, and voices that make Mid-Pen unique.

At Mid-Pen, clubs and affinity groups are entirely student-led with the support of staffulty mentors. Meeting weekly during lunch, they provide leadership opportunities, foster belonging, and often bring their work into the spotlight at community meetings.

Whether through organizing a dance, sharing a cultural tradition, launching a new project, or simply creating a space to connect, these groups give students the chance to shape their own high school experience. With sign-up sheets now filled, students have already begun gathering weekly to bring their ideas, passions, and communities to life.