Choosing Extracurriculars at Lexington High School

Michael Gordon and Alexander Tang

From Anime club to Beekeeping club, the wide selection of activities at Lexington High School allows students to explore their interests and meet new people. While this presents an exciting opportunity to experiment, it can also be intimidating to start. Here is some advice to keep in mind.

On Oct. 1, hundreds of freshmen and sophomores will flood the Quad for LHS’ activities fair, a valuable opportunity to explore club offerings. Make an effort to sign up for any clubs that pique your interest. Don’t be afraid to sign up for clubs you may not participate in—we’ve all done that! It’s better to start by exploring all the clubs that interest you and then narrow them down after attending a few meetings. Exposing yourself to new people and activities is key to finding your niche. 

Do you want to participate in STEM-related activities? LHS supports a vibrant STEM scene with numerous exploratory and competitive opportunities. For example, the LHS Science Bowl Club provides students the opportunity to explore math and science in a competitive setting. 

“Science Bowl motivated myself and others to learn and fall in love with a [science] subject of their interest,” Gideon Tzafriri, a senior and team captain, said. 

For freshmen, Tzafriri reiterated the importance of healthy competition. 

“As a freshman joining the club, I found myself competing with people I had never met before in my own grade… yet this competition helped create some of my best friendships.”

While LHS offers competitive opportunities from Model UN to Math Team, some may prefer spaces to develop personal hobbies. The Photography Club, for example, is a forum for like-minded students to share their progression as photographers. 

“In any sort of art, the best way [to improve] is to get feedback from people… collaborating, sharing work, that’s how people grow. So, having a nice community in the photography club is the most important thing,” Soren Goldsmith, a junior and Photography Club leader, said.

Goldsmith added that freshman year is crucial in finding interests.

“You’re never going to know what to do if you don’t try some things,” Goldsmith said.

If you have an idea for a new club, you can start your own! All you need to do is find an advisor and fill out the required forms. Invite your friends, talk it up with students in the Quad, or advertise by hanging posters around the school and promoting the club on social media. 

Whether it is one of the diverse clubs already at LHS or one that you will create, with some trial and error, you will find something that you enjoy.

To recap, here is a list of tips: 

  • Experiment to find activities that bring you joy. Go after your passions, and don’t be afraid to take risks.
  • Ask upperclassmen about their experiences! They can be a great resource in suggesting clubs that align with your current interests. 
  • Avoid club overload. Find a balance that works with your school work and social life.
  • Demonstrate genuine commitment to the clubs you enjoy, and you may find yourself building new friendships with upperclassmen or traveling across the country for tournaments!  

Enjoy the four years ahead!