When the clock struck 1 o’clock and the lunch bell rang, over 600 Upper School students had the opportunity to flood the quad with hopes of discovering new clubs for the 2023-24 school year.

Club Fair was bustling.

Students were exposed to sixty-three clubs, ranging from groups that explore students’ hobbies and interests such as pickleball and chess to ones centered on community service such as UNICEF Club and Kids’ Meals Club.

One club leader, sophomore Fife Famurewa, started the Sports for Special Needs Club this school year.

“I started this club to give kids a chance to play the sports that they love,” Famurewa said.

Famurewa’s club offers students access to helping others in the community while also completing community service credit — three hours — for the 2023-24 school year.

“Community service clubs are key to students engaging in volunteer work and allowing them to explore and help the community,” she said.

Alongside community service clubs, other clubs focus on student life at Kinkaid. One of the most popular clubs is Spirit of Kinkaid, which works throughout the year to decorate school halls and get students involved in school-wide events.

A third category of clubs provides students with a place to discuss their identities. The South Asian Heritage Club is an example of such a club. Led by dance teacher Ms. Anjaly Thakkar and debate teacher Mr. Eric Emerson, the club has been in existence at Kinkaid for over 10 years.

“I enjoy my time at SAHC because of the great company, great food, and great discussions we have about our South Asian heritage,” club co-president and senior Eshaan Mani said.

“My favorite part of the Club Fair is going around and seeing how many different ideas students have created for the student body of the Upper school,” sophomore Alex Shaw said.

The Club Fair was the second event during Belonging Week, a week-long celebration devised by Mrs. Erica Baker, coordinator of student life, to help students achieve this sense of belonging at Kinkaid.