By Maya Brodows ’20 and Celia Block ’20

Staples proudly offers a tremendous amount of after-school clubs. Every year, this number increases as more and more students take the initiative to start a new club. Whether it’s fashion, food, or tutoring, Staples offers an endless variety, guaranteeing one that will suit your interest.

This year, 18 new clubs have been created. Below you will find a brief overview of some of the new options.

The Coding Club

The Coding Club is for students who wish to “improve and apply their programming skills,” Benjamin Schussheim ’20, the club president, said.

Students will be taught the skills necessary to design websites, compose apps, form algorithms and create games. In addition to all these options, club members will have the choice to take on a project outside of the standard curriculum. The club is partnered with an online organization known as Hack Club, consisting of 164 high schools around the country.

The club is for everyone, meaning that beginner to advanced coders are welcome to join the club and learn more about computer programming.

“I hope that the coding club will get Staples more involved in the world of computer programming which plays such a big role in our present and future,” Schussheim said.

Figure Skating Club

Lia Chen ’20, an avid skating fan, decided to establish the Figure Skating Club in hopes of making skating more popular among Staples students.

The Figure Skating Club will not only be about learning to ice skate but also about helping the community.

The club will teach less fortunate civilians how to ice skate, as well as put on skating shows.

Shows will be held at Longshore as well as Stamford Twin Rinks . “We are also looking to partner with organizations such as Kids Helping Kids to provide skating-related enrichment opportunities for children,” Chen said.

Students of any skill level are welcome to join and help out. Chen hopes the club will inspire students to get involved, as well as share their passion for skating with surrounding communities.

Roots of Bolans

Bolans, Antigua has long been in need of help. “Roots of Bolans” is a charity organization determined to better the lives of the people of Antigua. They aim to raise money for the schools and soup kitchens in Bolans.

Staples’ “Roots of Bolans” will be doing everything they can to support the organization. Club president Isabella Powell ’19 has lined up various events to gather supplies and raise money. These events include a competition amongst sports teams to attain the most used shoes, a backpack drive at elementary schools, a collection of bikes and old toys during the Holidays and the classic bake sale. The club will also collect school supplies and money for a scholarship fund.

“We want to change the mentality that the underprivileged children of Bolans currently have,” Powell said. “We want to provide them with the freedom, opportunities, and confidence to do anything in life.”

Supporting NicaPhoto

NicaPhoto is an international charity that raises awareness as well as gathers donations for disadvantaged children and their families living in Nicaragua. After club co-president Evi Tarshis ’20 worked with NicaPhoto on her B3 trip, she had the idea to bring the organization back to Westport. “

Within the club, members will organize school supplies and clothing drives, in addition to raising money for the charity.

“I hope people leave our club feeling like they truly helped, because by being part of NicaPhoto, they are,” Emma Van Riper ’20, co-president, said.

Young Politician’s League

After the 2016 election, Eric Schwartz ’19 and Sophie McCabe ’19 decided to create a club that could openly discuss American politics and important current events. Schwartz felt that a lot of the arguments brought up after the election could have ended better if students knew all the facts and discussed their opinions in a safe, judgement-free environment.

The club will serve as a platform to allow any and all points of view. Schwartz hopes that by discussing everything in a mature setting, students will see political rivals as people, and not “characterchures.”

“This club is to serve as a platform for any and all voices to have their points of view heard, understood, and challenged,” Schwartz said. “In hearing differing opinions, people get new opportunities to learn and grow.”

Staples students can sign up for these clubs and many more at the Staples Involvement Fair which will take place during the week of Oct. 2-6 outside the cafeteria during all three lunch waves.

Graphic designed by Tomaso Scotti ’20