Near the start of every school year, Concord Academy organizes Club Expo, an event allowing various clubs and organizations to advertise themselves to the student body and fundraise if they so choose. This year, Club Expo was held on September 12, at the usual 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Countless students filled the Stu-Fac during the event, both promoting their own clubs and milling around to engage with other clubs.
More than 100 different clubs, performing groups, and affinity spaces hosted tables; thus, much preparation was needed for both individual organizations and the event as a whole. Similar to previous years, the student council divided the Stu-Fac into sections based on club topics and provided students with a map containing the table layout. Examples include the STEM clubs in the freshman pit, hobbies in the Upper Stu-Fac, affinity groups near the patio, and so on, with the Centipede at the entrance per usual.
Officially, club leaders began setting up 30 minutes before the start of the expo, but many commenced their preparations long before. For hours ahead of Club Expo’s initiation, coheads could be seen in various spaces creating their posters or preparing their merchandise. Clubs choosing to fundraise were also required to supply a charge and a cover sheet to keep track of their sales.
Even with the abolition of raffles, clubs were able to raise a significant amount by selling customized items of clothing, food, small trinkets, and other miscellaneous items. Some clubs even prepared activities, such as cookie decorating, quizzes, and video games. Baked goods were popular, with numerous types of cookies, cupcakes, and desserts available. Additional highlights include hoodies and t-shirts sold by the Tarita Foundation, cultural foods and drinks provided by affinity groups, and a quiz on brain teasers created by the Brain Science Club. A creative attraction held by Model UN gave students a chance to debate with members of the club and awarded winners with prizes. All funds acquired went to a shared club fund, a new development this year. This change reflects the realities of real-world group funding,which school administration hopes will encourage collaboration and further enforce the community theme of “Building the We.”
Club Expo is an excellent opportunity for members of the community to introduce and establish their organizations to new and returning students alike. Hopefully, CA will continue to introduce innovations and improvements to the event, and continue to allow it to stand as a fun and informative tradition.