Clubs depict the inclusivity of Milton’s Environment
By ELLA O’HANLON ’21
Two weeks ago, the student organizations at Milton set up shop on the quad for the annual shoparound. The clubs, representing a plethora of different cultures and interests, lined the walkway from the Student Center to Forbes dining hall. The variety of the clubs, along with their inclusivity and uniqueness directly highlights our school community’s welcoming and unique environment.
At the school I attended before Milton, a very limited number of clubs were available to students. Students could participate in sports, theatre, or art. Those without interest in those activities but wanted extracurriculars had one of two options: join a club of non-inclusive members or join no club at all. I was reminded during the shoparound how differently Milton Academy students acted in regards to clubs. Seeing the great diversity of organizations, lined up side by side, reminded me that there is truly a club for everyone. If after freshman year you find a need for one that doesn’t exist, you can create one. No matter what club you attend, leaders and members will welcome you. Milton strives for individuality and uniqueness, as stated in our motto “dare to be true.” A number of student clubs that are driven by none other than one’s passion.
Activities period at Milton takes place every day after school from 3 to 3:30, the perfect time to talk and engage with others after a stressful school day, yet before exhausting sports practices. For people who don’t have a club to go to, not much happens during this time. Because of this matter, along with my lack of attendance to many clubs my first year at Milton, I knew this year I wanted to join more clubs. However, at the start of this year, I had yet to decide which ones to join. As I walked down the path to Forbes, to my right was ONYX, followed by Asian Society. Just a few booths down stood the table for Jewish Student Union. As I am neither a person of color nor Jewish, I thought these clubs must not be for me. Yet, as I walked past all three of the stands, people welcomed me, encouraging me to join all three of the clubs, despite my fear of not “fitting in.” Just the other day I attended Jewish Student Union’s first meeting and not one person acted as though I was different in any way. They simply welcomed me as I knew they would- something I was not used to in regards to clubs. Milton displays diversity but its inclusivity that permeates throughout campus is one of Milton’s best qualities.
With this sense of inclusivity, if you ever desire a more niche club, after your first year at Milton, there are “new club proposal” forms in Mrs Reiser's room which makes the formation of a club that fits your specific interest always available. With this opportunity at your fingertips, if you feel inspired to start a club, maybe you can be the person who welcomes students to your new club at the shoparound.
Thus, if you are currently planning on spending your 3 to 3:30 time slot sitting in the stu eating M&M’s from the snack bar, I strongly suggest signing up for a club. Even if that space wasn’t where you originally saw yourself fitting in, the community that comes from these clubs is undeniably all-embracing.