On Dec. 6, Lexington High School’s Student-Faculty Senate hosted the Club Marketplace in Commons 2 for the second year in a row, displaying the collaborative spirit and creativity of the school community. The marketplace is an outlet for clubs to share what they’ve been working on with the broader school community, sell their creations, and raise funds for their future endeavors.
“It’s a fun way to support the incredible work of our clubs and discover some amazing products. I still remember how insanely cool it was when the Bee Club sold their own handmade soap at the last Marketplace,” Mrigank Dhingra, a Senate Social Actions Committee Head and co-founder of the marketplace, said.
This year’s Marketplace was intentionally scheduled in December to align with the festive spirit of the holiday season, offering a theme many clubs could use to inspire their creations. Most clubs made an effort to embrace the season’s spirit by contributing creations such as holiday-themed gift cards and decorative stickers. The ambiance was further enhanced by holiday music playing throughout the event, creating a warm atmosphere for all attendees.
“We thought it would be a perfect opportunity for people to buy gifts for their friends, just in time for the holiday season, while also supporting the LHS clubs. It’s like two birds with one stone,” Dhingra said.
A diverse range of products were sold at the marketplace, showcasing the talents and hard work of many students. Notably, the Henna Club drew intricate henna designs on customers, while the National Art Honor Society presented an array of custom stickers and cards with various artistic designs. The Crochet Club’s small keychains and plushies were also a big hit among browsing buyers.
“We make and sell crocheted creations. It’s usually plushies,” Bruna Scussel, a leader of the Crochet Club, said.
Participating clubs view the Club Marketplace as an additional opportunity to enhance their visibility within the community and foster teamwork among members. Many club members are involved in creating the products sold at the marketplace, and some are responsible for manning the booths.
This collaborative atmosphere not only incentivizes members to work together towards a common goal, but also cultivates a stronger sense of community among the students. Students believe the marketplace is successful in creating a space where the students and staff of LHS can support one another by purchasing goods made by their peers.
“It’s a great way to build community. Just getting everybody together to make stuff and showing what we can make and what you can learn to make is one of the best parts about the marketplace,” Scussel said.