Discovering Passions, Building Skills, and Finding a Place to Belong
By: Evangeline Tan-Alvez
How do you persuade students to join your club in just 50 seconds? That was the challenge embraced by 31 club presidents and representatives during the EIS Club Exposition on August 19, 2026, at the Milne Auditorium.
With Middle School and High School students in attendance, the auditorium buzzed with excitement as club representatives made their pitches, each racing against the clock to showcase what made their organization worth joining.
From arts, medicine, Model United Nations (MUN), TEDx, politics, science and STEM, Korean, photography, film, debate, and Red Cross to a variety of other special-interest groups, students were presented with a wide range of opportunities to explore their interests, discover new passions, and
connect with like-minded peers.
More than simply recruiting members, the Club Expo highlighted the many ways students can grow beyond the classroom. Whether through creativity, leadership, service, academic exploration, or collaboration, each club offers students an avenue to develop skills and experiences that can shape their
journey at EIS.
This year, the Student Council, which oversees the school’s clubs, has placed greater emphasis on ensuring that every organization remains student-centered and purposeful. Each club is expected to organize at least two projects during the school year that contribute meaningfully to students co-curricular experiences.
“We want the clubs to prove that they are relevant. They should be able to develop programs or projects that support students co-curricular lives and help them become better students” said Sijhana Virakul, Head Sponsor of the Student Council for SY 2026–2027.
Virakul added that many clubs, except Legacy Clubs, are currently on probation and must meet specific requirements to gain full recognition as official EIS clubs. These include securing at least 17 members and conducting two meetings with at least 50 percent of their membership in attendance.
For students still deciding where they belong, the opportunities are just a QR code away. Sign-up QR codes have been posted throughout the Middle School and High School buildings, making it easier for students to join, engage, and get involved.
At EIS, learning extends far beyond textbooks and classrooms. Clubs provide students with spaces to discover what they love, develop what they are good at, serve others, and uncover a passion they never knew they had.
The best club may not simply be the one that looks the most interesting; it may be the one that helps you become the person you are meant to be.
