VNHS Yearbook | Jinny Yi
Spotlight Stage Left Kylah Rodriguez participating in a student photo op for the Van Nuys high school theatre department
On Wednesday, Sept. 24, this year’s fall semester Club Rush took place at lunch all around the quad. The event, coordinated by our school’s Associated Student Body (ASB), is an annual opportunity for students to participate in campus life.
Clubs with a long history, including Model United Nations (MUN), Key Club and Red Cross Club, displayed their impressive array of accomplishments. At the same time, newly registered clubs, like Poetry Club and Women Make Change In STEM (WMC) Club, also got to show off what they had to offer.
MUN Captain Kiekie Das believes that Club Rush allows students to explore the many options here at Van Nuys High School, noting how the event familiarizes students with clubs that represent their interests.
“Club Rush is a great way for newer and existing students to learn more about the school’s diversity and interests,” Das said. “It gives them a sense of belonging and allows them to find more friends and explore their passions on campus.”
Korean Club Vice President Rachel Kwak emphasizes how participation in clubs can enrich students’ social lives and expand their horizons.
“Clubs aren’t just an opportunity to find new interests,” Kwak said. “They also enable growth within new communities.”
While extended lunches allotted more time for Club Rush in the past, this semester’s iteration was limited to 30 minutes, a change many students pointed out.
“We should have an extended lunch since there are 55 clubs spread around the Victory Stand,” Indian Club President Iona Hersh said. “Especially for people who are running their own clubs, it’s almost impossible to join any clubs because of how limited time is.”
The sheer amount of clubs sharing the quad can make the space feel cramped, especially when Club Rush is usually held on warmer days. Students raised suggestions about expanding the event to different spaces on campus in order to circumvent this issue.
“Club Rush is usually on a hot day, so maybe we could change the location — maybe even move it to the gym — so more clubs have shade,” Das said.
For the students running the clubs themselves, Club Rush’s greatest appeal lies in the promotion aspect. Filipino Club President Lauren Leal notes how Club Rush helps clubs attract new members.
“I think Club Rush was a great event,” Leal said. “We were able to get a lot of sign-ups for Filipino Club, so I think it was very successful.”
MUN meets in Room 206 on Mondays. Korean Club meets in Room 220 on Thursdays. Indian Club meets in Room 213 on Wednesdays. Filipino Club meets in Room 201 on Thursdays. All club meetings are held during lunch.
At the end of the day, Club Rush remains a highly anticipated event that brings something new to students at Van Nuys High School.