Two clubs, In the Know and Baking Club, are known by few around Hayes and want to grow this year.
Junior Ann Fam started Baking Club last school year. Her goal was to spread a love for baking around the school. This year, she is aiming to grow the club and its purpose.
“We are thinking of expanding…our group, or expanding to events we are trying to do,” Fam said. “We want to volunteer, donate some stuff, that kind of direction.”
The club is advised by French teacher Kimberly Young. For people who want to try something new, it is a safe space to learn how to bake. Previous members can walk people through baking different types of desserts, and everyone gets to eat them afterwards.
“We are going to try new recipes and new cultural recipes,” Fam said.
Due to lack of experience, there was conflict scheduling events and meetings last year. But, with a year under their belt, the club is working towards fixing the problem.
While Fam hopes for better planning, she is not concerned about it adding stress to the club.
“We are looking forward to planning out more and just having fun,” Fam said. “It doesn’t matter if we don’t have it all figured out, but we’re just having fun, we’re baking, and [we’re] making new friends.”
Baking Club may be suitable for people who want a chill activity, but for people who are drawn to a competitive environment, In the Know could be another way to get involved in school activities.
The club is a quiz team that competes against other schools in matches and tournaments. During a match, the host asks a question and students buzz in when they have the answer. It is fast-paced, and runs similar to Jeopardy.
“It drew me naturally with the atmosphere of the people, the contestants, and just how it is,” junior Santhosh Potham said. “But I also just like the genuine challenge.”
Potham joined In the Know last year when he saw posters advertising the club in the Rowling Center, and because he had a few friends who were already members.
“I love trivia, I am an avid trivia person,” Potham said. “Whenever we are doing family games and doing trivia, I beat everyone.”
In the Know is different from normal trivia games because the questions are so varied. They cover nearly anything academic, as well as music and religion.
“You have…to sit there and answer these calculus questions in 12 seconds or less,” chemistry teacher Steve Lehman said.
Lehman, who advises the club, says that it runs similar to a sport. He takes his top six to seven players to each match to play on the varsity team. If the other team also has enough players, he can bring a junior varsity team as well.
For people who do not compete, the practice runs similar to the matches. Lehman has binders of past questions stored in this classroom and uses them to quiz the students.
“All I do at practice is randomly grab a binder, pull a set of questions out, and just use the old questions to practice,” Lehman said.
In order to be successful, the club needs students with a variety of strengths to take a chance. They encourage anyone to join.
“Come on in and try your luck,” Lehman said.
In the Know and Baking Club may have contrasting activities and goals, but both are looking forward to starting off the new school year. They are welcoming people to join and pursue their interests.
So, whether students are looking for a relaxed baking session or a competitive quiz tournament, joining a club is a great way to engage at Hayes.
