Clubs feature fun activities

By Lucy Joyce

Editors Assistant

The Student government, chess club, and math team are all kicking off the school year strong and participating in club-wide activities.

The Math Team works hard to prepare for competition. Photo by Londyn Crumb.

These clubs started meeting at the beginning of the year but can still be joined. Extracurricular activities are ways to get involved at Crete-Monee and have more fun in the 2024-2025 school year, no matter your grade.

"I wanted to get more involved in my senior year. I've always wanted to be involved, but I never had the time," said Carlene Magnaye, the senior class vice president.

Student government can be a primary activity or done alongside other activities/sports. They plan many activities at the school, such as Homecoming Spirit Week, earlier this month.

"Student Government is going to be in anything you do," Ms. Magnaye said about their involvement in school-wide activities.

The environment in a club is a big part of how much one can enjoy it. The people and the vibe are critical. Student government takes pride in the environment created in their club.

"I love how inclusive it is. I love how everyone gets a say in something," said Magnaye. "If you don't like something, you don't have to do that, but if you do like something, you can do that," she said about her experience in student government.

Student government is only one of many clubs here, and it will only be suitable for some students wishing to join a club. Knowing what type of people will enjoy these clubs can help in that decision. Chess club is one option.

"People who like critical thinking, logical thinking, puzzles, studying, people who have extra free time," said Ammar Ghaben, a freshman in Chess Club, when asked what types of people would enjoy it.

Ammar joined the chess club because his brother Amro loves the game. He has come to enjoy it as well.

"There is no luck involved, only skill," he said when asked what he liked about chess. 

Clubs are also affected considerably by the types of people and the environment. How do people in Chess interact with one another?

"One thing that makes it special is the people in it. They are very accepting," he said, "They will help you improve even if they are significantly better than you. They look at you for more than that," Ghaben explained.

The math team is another club available at Crete-Monee. This includes studying outside the club to finish packets and prepare for meets. It won't be for everyone, but it fits many students well.

"Kids who are smart and gifted in math (would enjoy math team)," said Ethan Lawrence, a freshman on the team. 

The math team is unlike any other club in that it takes elements of the school curriculum and expands on them in a fun and academic way. 

"It's very competitive and school-related," said Lawrence, explaining the unique appeal of the math team.

Although we have many options, there is always room for improvement and expansion. Crete-Monee students would enjoy adding swimming, badminton, a cooking club, and an Asian-American club. Bringing back the knitting club is also an option.

"No one will undermine/look down upon you." Ammar Ghaben said about chess club, but it's clear the same goes for all these clubs.