During distance learning, clubs at Mid-Pacific have found new ways to operate as Covid-19 takes away certain privileges.

Clubs continue to operate online, adapting to the virtual environment so far this school year.

Keeping their clubs in order, club presidents and advisors said they have mixed feelings about the quality of virtual clubs and the settlements that are being made.

Sign Language Club president Jackie Nafarrete said virtual clubs are good enough considering our school’s circumstances.

“I was actually thrilled that clubs were going virtual because I hadn’t managed to get my club to be official yet,” said Nafaratte, who said she didn’t want to have to wait until next year to start the club.

T.H.R.I.V.E (Together, Home, Rejuvenate, Intention, Elevate) club co-president Josephine Rowan said there are many social limitations with this virtual setup that are taking away from the full club experience.

“The personal connection we have with our members is key to building a good environment, and online it’s harder to get to know them,” said Rowan.

Speech and Debate club president Alliyah Jefferson said virtual clubs change her in-person plan and are different from what she is used to.

“I have more time to prepare myself. That’s a plus. But really other than that, I would say there isn’t anything good to come out of it,” said Jefferson.

With a few changes, students were actively innovative in making things happen, said Bill Wheeler, Director of Student Activities.

Club day was the day to recruit members and advertise clubs old and new. Typically held at Scudder Dining Hall, students and their friends could explore what their fellow classmates and advisors had to offer.

“It has been a little more difficult to get the clubs up and running since all the communication needs to be done virtually,” said Wheeler in an email. “The biggest change has been that we weren’t able to have a club day this year.”

Clubs have now begun to use connections of their own to recruit new members and advertise through grade level announcements.

A typical meeting for the T.H.R.I.V.E club has consisted of lead yoga/meditation sessions all accessed through the click of a Zoom link. Members gather every week for the club meetings in their own personal space.

Virtual clubs allow for easy access from anywhere and give students comfort being behind a screen, said Ravi/Handcrafts club adviser Jodie Sakaguchi.

“The activity itself isn’t going to change whether we’re in person or virtual,” said Sakaguchi,
“The essence of the club stays the same.”

Jefferson said most competitions and club events for the Speech and Debate club have or plan to be resumed.

“They are all going to be online. Most of them are going to be speech and we do have some debate,” she said.

Regardless, the total number of clubs remains similar to previous years, meaning there continues to be a wide selection of opportunities for students.

Wheeler said starting a club virtually is still highly encouraged for anyone interested and passionate in the idea.

“Clubs provide a great opportunity for students to pursue an interest, develop leadership skills, make new friends, contribute to society, and make a positive difference in our community,” he said.

In the original version of this story, the title of Director of Student Activities Bill Wheeler was misstated. Na Pueo regrets the error.