More than 20 Middle School clubs meet every week. There are several standing clubs that convene under the guidance of a faculty member, such as Debate Club. Other clubs are created through student interest. Students come up with an idea for a club, arrange for an adult advisor, and promote their club during weekly student announcements. Through the lens of three student-created clubs, here's how UPrep's clubs build community and grow student leadership skills. 

Kickball Club, run by 6th grade students Zinedine S. and Logan S., builds community by letting all grade levels participate in a game where everyone is supportive of each other, said club advisor and Assistant Athletic Director Jonathan Kim. "I see first-hand how Kickball Club builds leadership skills," he said. "They delegate directions to club members, and even 8th graders take notice and listen to our leaders." 

As a co-leader, Logan notices how his actions affect others. "If you yell, people get kind of angry, but if you are nice, they are more likely to listen and have fun," he said. 

Co-leader Zinedine relishes getting to decide what to do, although leadership is not always easy. "It's like Whac-A-Mole: you sort out one problem and another one comes up," he said. Both Logan and Zinedine like getting to know new people through playing kickball.

Ancient and Historical Weapons Club, run by 8th grade students Jin H. and Addie S., has about 25 student attendees per meeting, said club advisor and History Teacher Gus Feliu. "We encourage club members to develop presentations to share with the whole club, and I think that's a great opportunity to develop leadership skills," he said. "I'm looking forward to hearing from more students and watching them come into their own as presenters and discussion leaders."

Most club meetings include presentations and discussions of three weapons. "What I really love about weapons is the ingenuity and the creativity behind them, said Addie. "It's sort of like examining a great piece of literature; if it's an absurd failure, you learn about what went wrong."

Jin said that co-running the club has helped develop and test his leadership abilities, along with teaching him how to productively plan engaging content and an appropriate schedule for each meeting. Addie said she is learning how to manage time effectively and how she can help club members engage and have fun. In the name of fun, the club enjoyed making Popsicle stick renditions of siege weapons in late November.

Dance Club, led by Lucinda Roraback, 7th grade, helps students build confidence, explore creative artistry, and collaborate with peers, said advisor and Fine Arts and PE Teacher Jess Klein. "The community and confidence students create and feel while dancing transfers into other areas of their lives," Jess said.

During meetings, students stretch, warm up, and practice dance techniques while learning choreography in diverse styles. After a cool-down, Lucinda leads a guided meditation. They said it's liberating to have a chance to take control through leading a club. "As a student, you spend all day doing what other people want you to do. There is nothing more freeing to me than to guide a meditation or help pick out the music for club with Ms. Klein," Lucinda said. "Our days and lives are very hectic, and having a space that nourishes us while we are having fun is amazing."