New Clubs Join Watertown High
Clubs have always had a significant influence on schools and communities. Watertown High School has a wide range of clubs to select from, and three more have been added this year. Seniors Amarta Marku, Giacomo Rinaldi, and Megan Mordarski have created these clubs through their capstones. Clubs allow for students to be involved in an extracurricular activity to flourish their education and pursue their interests. It’s a great way to become involved within the community, and students come back year after year to join.
The Book Club, created by senior Amarta and English teacher Ms. Raimo, allows students to meet monthly to discuss the club’s book and questions they have about the book. It allows for members to hear different perspectives on the book which leads to a better understanding. Amarta hopes the club will encourage students who might not read to gain an interest. Amarta remarks “It’s more than surface level.” She uses this club to bring people together who share the same passion for reading, as well as be inclusive to everyone. Amarta brought the book club back to life, as the previous book club at WHS was no longer running. “I’m really passionate about it.” Amarta says. She wants the club to continue for years after she leaves. Ms. Raimo says “Book club is a simple pleasure. We want to recapture the joy in reading.”
Senior Jack Rinaldi created the club STEM as a part of his capstone allowing students to discuss and become more involved with STEM careers. STEM is Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. He highlights the importance of STEM outside of the classroom, and gives all members opportunities to explore their interests. Students can bounce ideas off of each other during these meetings and dive deeper into different topics. Jack puts together powerpoints for each meeting as well as activities and different focuses each month. He hopes to keep members engaged in the club, especially with multiple officer positions. This career-based club brings a new aspect to Watertown High’s extracurriculars that has never existed before. Jack says that as a senior he is passionate about the opportunities this club provides its members for future generations. The fresh idea is something that Jack hopes will continue after he graduates.
Watertown High School has a Forensics class, which enriches the students’ knowledge on forensic science and all that it entails. The class’s spots fill up very quickly as it is a half year course, and the student demand is getting even higher. For this reason, the Forensics club was made to give the opportunity to learn about the topic to students who aren’t taking the class, as well as allow the students who are enrolled to dive deeper. They learn basic techniques and activities of forensic science, as well as gain a better sense of how it is carried out, and understand what it really is. Members tap into investigative thinking and focus on the small details. They participate in hands-on activities, which connects them to the bigger picture. Megan Mordarski created this club as a part of her capstone, and her interest in forensics. Forensic teacher Mrs. Lavallee, advisor of the club, says “Megan is doing a great job. She has drive and puts forth great effort.”