There are lots of different ways to spend time after school. While some students head straight to a part time job, others go home to help out on the family farm or spend time with friends. Of course there are students who head to practice for sports or other activities, and some take advantage of the clubs offered as a way to create connections with others, have some fun, and explore their interests.
Art Club is a Safe Space for Self Expression
For GFW Visual Art Teacher Rachel Dauer, putting together clubs was a passion project that aimed to give students another way to grow their talents and have some fun. Students in the art club get together on Thursday afternoons in the art room to work on individual projects but also collaborate on some additional ideas.
“I was asked to run a club for students my first year as a teacher and realized that these students wanted a space to connect with their friends and ‘get away’ from life, and I was glad I was able to provide a safe space for them to do that,” said Dauer. “The next year I decided to start the Art Club as a way for students to work on their own personal art projects, and provide opportunities for students who wanted to do art, but may not have one of my courses in their schedule during the school year.”
Senior Kal Aden has been in the club since the beginning of the club and tells others who are considering joining to show up and give it a shot because there is no harm in trying something like this.
“Art to me means self expression,” said Kal. “I've always been able to clear my mind by drawing, sketching, or sculpting. It's always been a way to express my feelings and in a fun way. Art club is a big family and everyone is able to show off what they are doing, and even if they don't get it they always try to help and support you.”
Students are able to work on their own personal art projects. They come up with an idea for a project and Ms. Dauer provides art supplies and support to help the student complete their artwork.
“Art allows them to process their life, skills, dreams, and interests in a different way through art material,” said Dauer. “Thinking and making something that was once an idea into a real tangible thing to be seen by others is an amazing feeling. I think that one of the most important things that art can do for these students is help them be seen and understood.”
Most of the time students will sit and chat while they make artwork or listen to music. While there is no end goal for the club besides making art, the students participate in the school art showings during fall and spring concerts and place work in the Winthrop Libraries Grackle Days local art show every year.
“Art club is a great way to calm down and just let go of any stress,” said sophomore James Slosson. “The club has given me time to work and understand what I want to do with my artwork. Making art is really enjoyable and it’s satisfying and gives me a way to empty my brain.”
D&D Club Encourages Creativity and Collaboration
If you walk by the classroom hosting the GFW Dungeons and Dragons club after school on Wednesdays, you will likely be surprised by the fluctuation between storytelling, intensity, and laughter. The game is a cooperative, storytelling, tabletop role-playing game where players form an adventuring party to explore fantasy worlds, fight monsters, and gain treasure. It has grown in popularity since its creation in the 1970s with an online community really bringing the game into the mainstream.
The club at GFW began in 2021 with teacher Rachel Dauer being the club organizer. Senior Kal Aden has been a part of the group since the beginning when she was just in 8th grade. She played for one semester as a player but switched to being the Dungeon Master, the organizer, narrator, and referee in a Dungeons & Dragons game. This important person not only creates the story, but they control non-player characters and describe the world’s reaction to the choices that players make.
“Kal has created five original campaigns through the years, expanding her leadership skills and helping other peers learn to play the game,” said Dauer. “While she has always spent time and effort on each of her campaigns this year, she went above and beyond creating a mystery adventure about the lost gold ‘Dabloons’ of her fantasy world Dabloonia. She used grid mapping, encoded ciphers, and secret hidden map pieces to engage her players with her adventure, all hand made and lovingly crafted!”
Other students in the club also share that it’s not just fun, but is also a great way to grow in creativity, decision making, and working together.
“D&D Club has given me a place to unwind from school and anywhere my mind is going,” said senior Orion Bernhoft.
The club members are broken up into three different campaigns run by three student Dungeon Masters. Each player member makes a player character or "PC" who they will then use as the character they are for the adventure. The DM's job is to make conflicts for the PCs to overcome. They work as a group or "party" and solve puzzles, fight monsters, and explore the world created by the DMs.
There is no "winning" the game as the focus is more on the story and exploration the players get to have during game play. Overall it is more about making a story together as a group and enjoying time with friends.
“I joined because my friends were telling me to and I am glad I listened,” said junior Jeremy Slosson. “The best part about the club is getting to laugh while playing a fun game with your friends!”