Looking for a new way to become involved in school, even while doing something you’d do at home? Consider joining a laid-back, however social, club to lift the weight of stress.
Productive students participate in after-school athletics or leave campus after a long school day to work a part-time job. Others find interest in getting cozy and watching a movie at home.
With that thought, a couple of English teachers thought of a new way to incorporate a comfortable, home-like environment into an after-school activity. They reflect on how this club came to be.
“I thought, wouldn’t it be fun to have a film club to have students watch movies?” Film Club advisor Lisa Downing said. “We could have some snacks, we could talk about the movies with each other, and just have a nice way to celebrate and love cinematology. You know, the cinema kind of thing.”
Downing, along with English teacher Tara Wills, began to advertise Film Club in hopes of high student interest. Some years were more successful than others, but recently the room has been filled with interested students who love to collaborate in understanding each movie they watch.
“There’s a lot more people, especially this year,” Adamson said. “It’s exciting because more people means more discussion.”
Their “after movie discussions” are a dive into many different genres, which are student-selected, sometimes drawing more or fewer students to watch a specific movie. It is a movie review setting where no student feels judged for liking or disliking the movie.
“We all sit down, and we talk, we just talk. It really depends on the movie. We can talk about the themes of the movie, some fun, like choices that we notice that they made,” senior Matthew Kumm said. “It really does change a lot, depending on what we have just watched.”
Those who are a part of the club were quick to say they highly recommend it to those who aren’t so busy after school. Students describe it as a great way to connect with their peers.
“It’s such a chill club. We don’t require any sort of volunteer work like other clubs, such as [National Honor Society]. Many of the other casual clubs even require that. We don’t,” Kumm said. “You just come in when you want, watch a movie, have some time to relax away from the craziness of school.”
An interesting new way to do a home-like activity has turned into a well-appreciated club to Huntley students. They meet a few times a month with an open door to anyone interested!
