More Clubs, More Connections: Upper Schoolers Find Their Fit

*As seen in the December 2025 edition of the Bagpiper. Written by Jordana Delgado ’28.

In the busy halls of Saint Andrew’s, one activity connects almost every student:student-run clubs. Whether it's cooking for the community, organizing charity drives, or competing in academic events, clubs have become an essential part of the Upper School's identity because they offer students not just a way to earn service hours or fill resumes, but a real opportunity to explore passions, form bonds, and make an impact. 

According to Mrs. Beth Gordon, Assistant Dean of Students who oversees all Upper School clubs, involvement has become more accessible and meaningful in recent years. 

"We have added club time into the school day [on Thursday mornings], which has been a nice addition," she said. "It gives students with busy schedules a chance to get involved without having to do it after school."

That schedule change, along with earlier planning and check-ins throughout the year, has helped more clubs thrive. 

"We send out applications in the Spring so we can have a club fair early in the fall," Mrs. Gordon said. "We also check in with clubs to see if they have been active and how we can best support them."

At the annual club fair in September, the courtyard transforms into a colorful display of posters, sign-up sheets, and excitement. Students crowd around tables representing everything from environmental initiatives to academic competitions. In recent years, even more have emerged, representing a wave of student-created clubs inspired by creativity and service. 

Mrs. Gordon said the most successful clubs share one key trait: passion. 

"The clubs that stand out are the ones that are visibly active," she said. "When people are passionate about something, you can really tell that those are students putting their time and effort into what they truly care about."

That passion is what drives new club leaders like sophomore Char Errico, Co-Founder of The Giving Table club, one of this year's newest service and cooking-based clubs. 

"My inspiration really stems from my Italian American heritage," Errico said. "I wanted to help the community with good food that's both nutritious and tastes good." 

Her club now cooks meals on campus in Mariani and donates meals to local organizations, showing how service and creativity can come together in one simple idea.

New clubs like The Perfect Fit are also bringing fresh energy to the community. Sophomore Olivia Koch, the founder, said she started her fashion club after realizing there wasn't anything like it at school. 

"I went to the Vogue Summer School, and I realized our school didn't really have anything fashion-based," she said. "I wanted to bring that to Saint Andrew's."

The sense of connection is what makes clubs such a vital part of student life. They are where ideas become action and where students take leadership roles, collaborate, and discover what matters most to them. They also teach practical skills that reach beyond high school, from organization and communication to even expression in style and giving back through cooking. 

For some, joining a club is about checking off the boxes, but for leaders like Char Errico and Olivia Koch, it's about finding a purpose.

 "Our mission statement is feeding the Boca Raton community one meal at a time," Errico said. For Koch, it's about creativity and confidence. 

"I want to build a foundation this year," she said, "and eventually start having fashion shows and clothing drives." 

As Mrs.Gordon said best, "By having so many clubs, it gives everybody an opportunity to find something they like doing or just a way to connect with others. I hope everybody finds a place for them."