When it comes to clubs, middle school students don’t have many options. They’re too young to have a membership to a country club (and no, one’s parents being members doesn’t count), and they’re too young to gain access to those jumping nightclubs throughout South Florida. But guess, what? There’s always room in the clubs offered at Benjamin!

There are 21 clubs in all offered this year at the middle school level, along with multiple new ones such as the Harry Potter Club, Random Acts of Kindness Club, Chinese Culture and Conversation Club, Sustainable Landscape and Beautification Club,  Wordly Wise Club,  Ukulele Club,  Eating for Life Club, and The Inspiration Club. The new offerings have added more excitement to this year’s Club Day, which is held for an hour and 10 minutes at the end of every other Friday.

“Well everyone’s probably more excited because there are more fun clubs than there are educational clubs this year than there were last year, like the Harry Potter [ Club] for example,” said seventh grader Sebastian Nachilly.

However, there are some popular carry-overs from last year, like Mr. Chaplin’s Fishing Club

“All the students in my advisory chose Fishing Club as their first pick on their club sheets,” said seventh grader Grey Waxman. “I know my friend and I did purposely because we tried to get in last year but we couldn’t, and it was very awsome according to the students in it, and Mr. Chaplin is awesome!”

Although, not all of the students are gung-ho about the offerings this year, as  some have gone by the wayside.

“I’m pretty aggravated that they removed the German Club, said seventh grader Ugnis Numavacius. “I really liked learning about Germany and German food, and I liked my club teacher.”

However, most students enjoy the club experience. Not only does it provide them a chance to socialize with their classmates and teachers, but it gives students a break from the academic day. The teachers also look forward to Club Day because it allows them to bond with the students and offer the students new experiences.

“I think it’s nice to be able to be popular,” said Chaplin, “but we can only take 10 or 12 people in the club because we travel off campus, and there’s only one of me so that’s why we can’t have too many kids.”

Some of the clubs are also educational and promise to aid students academically.

“The Wordly Wise Club is a fun way to learn new vocabulary and it could help students get into college,  said English and drama teacher Mr. Robert Bayless. “The vocabulary they learn will prepare them for standardized tests like the SAT.”

Other clubs, like the Random Acts of Kindness Club, promote service and good will.

“We will be brainstorming ways that we can visibly show people that we care for them with the hope that it will brighten their day and be contagious so others can act on their positive thoughts,” said Mrs. Piper Crisafi, who is filling in for dance teacher Mrs. Rachel Rudner while she is on maternity leave.

And there are still other clubs that offer students creative  immersion in some of their favorite books and films, like the Harry Potter Club. “We will spend the year in Harry Potter Land – showing parts of the movies, [and participating in] related drawings and crafts, like making butter beer and writing fan fiction,” said English and history teacher Mrs. Anne Mack, who will run the club along with science teacher Ms. Mallory Gleason.

With 21 clubs to choose from, there seems to be something for everyone, and the club experience is just one more way in which TBS attempts to provide its students with the richest and most diverse educational experience possible.