The BOHS quad bustled with students eager to explore the 113 clubs presenting during Club Rush from Sept. 17 to 20.
To stand out among the dozens of clubs, club leadership had to get creative beyond sign-up sheets, QR codes, and informational flyers.
Chess Club, for instance, set up three chess sets for prospective members to play; Chinese Club created two paper mache dragon heads for students to wear; French Club decorated their space with a replica of the Eiffel Tower; and Model United Nations (MUN) presented a game wheel that students could spin to win candy.
Elleanna Vannarath (‘26), co-president of the Southeast Asian Society (SEAS) Club, emphasized culture at her table, with “a handmade elephant tablecloth from Laos, a decorative bowl to put candy in, some authentic Thailand chips displayed in small cups, and a homemade Asian rice cracker drizzled with palm sugar.” Vannarath also wore a traditional Laotian dress, while SEAS co-president, Kottakorn Meeboon (‘25), and vice president, Ana Phomsakha Na Sakonnakhon (‘27), wore traditional Thai clothing.
Brea Brawlers Club had one of their board members dress up as Brawl Stars character Leon. Sonny Angel Club presented a three-tiered display that held eleven Sonny Angel collectible figurines.
One of the most common props throughout the four-day event were customized cardboard frames. Club members enticed prospective students to pose behind the frames for promotional photos to post on Instagram.
Sole Food Club’s frame included pictures of shoes; Cards4Kindness added pink bows and cards with kisses on them to their frame; and American Sign Language (ASL) Club decorated their frame with a bright green garland.
The biggest appeal of Club Rush for some students was the sheer number of organizations to choose from.
Leo Jang (‘26), vice president of HEART Club, said, “with so many options available, students could find clubs that align with their future goals.”
Sign-up sheets were quick to fill up with interested student’s names.
“Each club had so many people surrounding [their tables],” Reena Kim (‘26), president of Girl Up and Speech and Debate, observed.
Claire Yoo (‘26), estimated around 150 sign-ups for Baking Club, and 100 sign-ups for Rotary Interact.
According to Chan Hwang (’25), Red Cross Club had 122 sign-ups, and American Heart Association Club had 80 interested students, according to its president, Angela Sohn (‘26).
The week wasn’t without its challenges for club leaders.
Maia Hammel (‘27), co-captain of Mock Trial, acknowledged that the large number of student absences on Sept. 17, a result of a threat of school violence, affected turn-out. Hammel also mentioned that rain on Sept. 19 posed a challenge as “ASB wasn’t able to set up Club Rush tables until later” than originally planned.
In addition, poor behavior by some student attendees marred the experience for some clubs.
To Vannarath, it was “concerning” how “some students were entitled and rude” as they knocked over her table’s decorations.
Still, the clubs overcame the challenges, partly due to the support of club peers.
Chelsey Joseph (‘26), president of the Medical Arts Club, enjoyed sharing a table with another club, acknowledging that, despite crowding, it encouraged students to check out both organizations. Club presidents also lended supplies to clubs in need, such as rolls of tape to affix posters to the tables when strong winds sent decorations flying on Sept. 20.
For Joseph, “getting to go around and see the new and old clubs” was one of the most memorable aspects of Club Rush.
After the conclusion of the event, club leaders contacted prospective members and announced club meeting times, locations, and dates on Instagram.
