Flooding the hallways, new students bolt to their classes at the 7:25 bell. But at 2:30, these teenagers have endless possibilities ranging from partaking in activities to their interest to preparing for an annual dance.
“Freshman year, right after that 2:30 p.m. bell on my first day of school, I can remember feeling as if there was something missing to my daily routine, something I can do in my free time that doesn’t include getting picked up to go home,” said Victoria Martin, the Color Guards communications officer and current sophomore.
The beginning of a school year can mean a fresh start: new friends, teachers and more specifically, clubs.
To help those in search of new clubs to join, Cooper City High School hosts its annual on-campus Rush Week. On the second week of school, clubs will line up in both the courtyard and cafeteria to provide information to students of all grades during both A and B lunches.
Information provided can come in multiple forms, including flyers, banners, club communicators and more. Most students walk around the cafeteria and the courtyard, either in search of a specific club or waiting to find any clubs that such students may be interested in.
“Rush Week is when clubs and sports all showcase their group to the student body so that they can find new things they are interested in,” Student Government Association president Emily Miranda said.
The display given by these clubs will help clubs gain new members.
One such club officer is Ariane Uy, HOPE Sunshine Club’s Treasurer. HOPE Sunshine Club focuses on providing a place for students to feel safe and be able to express their emotions without being judged, much like a support group.
“I feel Rush Week is such a huge deal for HOPE Sunshine Club,” Uy said. “Because it’s a way for us to explain to others what the club is, since we are just new.”
Due to the fact the club was just recently established, officers have the advantage of bringing in new members.
Rush Week in its entirety, although fairly important to CCHS’ community bonding and school spirit, is by many seen as outranked by the annual dance and festivities in late October and November: Homecoming and Spirit Week.
CCHS holds the Homecoming Spirit Week from Monday through Friday, and a theme is given each day in the spirit and celebration of Homecoming. It is not mandatory to follow through with the dress up or theme, but many believe school spirit can be a great way for the student body to bond.
“For the beginning of the school year, we are planning our Homecoming Spirit Week as well as Homecoming,” Miranda said, bringing to light what some may say is the most waited for event since last year’s prom.
Homecoming will take place November 4, after the Homecoming Spirit Week, which is the week of October 30th.
Homecoming, unlike prom, is open to all grades, with no need for an invitation by a senior. The event consists of dancing, music, food and many smaller festivities, making the night spectacular for the those who attend.
“Homecoming was very fun. I had a blast and so did my friends,” sophomore Claudia Pulcini, who attended the 2016 dance, said. “We danced a lot and the music was fantastic, but the soft serve ice cream was better.”
Themes will be announced ahead of time in various forms from flyers to the morning announcements, as the same for Homecoming Spirit Week. The price of attending Homecoming will be announced along with the themes while the associated Spirit Week is completely free.
With all that in mind, students will still flood the hallways at the 7:25 a.m bell. However now, with all the clubs and events, it will be a little harder to leave.
Photo by Sabrine Brismeur
