Incoming Freshmen Get First Look at CHS Extracurriculars

The beginning of high school is an overwhelming time for many freshmen, but incoming Columbia High School students got a head start Wednesday night at CHS School-in-Action Night.

“The goal is to show the community and the eighth graders what CHS is all about,” said Student Council President Cory Epstein, 18, of South Orange. “I hope that everyone will walk away knowing this is a rich place to go to school and to send your kids for the next four years.”

“We want to dispel any myths about CHS,” Student Council Co-Advisor Hannah Edelman said. “Everyone can see from the performances and clubs the incredible diversity in what’s available here; they get to see that there’s something for everyone.”

The halls were packed with families, who learned about the extracurricular activities available to CHS students. There were more than 50 clubs, teams and organizations represented.

Members of the fencing team put on an exhibition, and there were performances by the Gospel Choir, Special Dance, Friday Night Live (sketch comedy), the Parnassian Society and the Shakespeare Festival Club. Several organizations, such as Peace Now, Teen Dating Abuse Council and Green Activists in Action, promoted their causes.

“Tonight really gives people a sense of the strong activist community here at CHS,” said Vice Principal Janice McGowan, who has been part of the event for nearly 20 years.

The Scholarship Fund was offering massages for a small donation. Dr. Richard J. Wolf provided two professional masseuses free of charge.

Many students were seen racing to the top of the clock tower—a mere seven flights of stairs—to check out the observatory. The track team, just back from a successful showing at the Penn Relays, showed off trophies while Velocity, the student magazine, showcased recent issues.

Isabel Reckson, 17, a senior from Maplewood, says she wishes she had paid more attention to the abundance of opportunities at CHS. As her brother, Jack Torella, 14, an eighth grader at Maplewood Middle School prepares to move on to CHS, she gave him advice she could have used. “Sign up and pay attention!” she said.

Torella was excited to see the Columbia Cable Network studios. Reckson is involved with the award-winning station, and Torella is looking forward to following in her footsteps.

Zak Knowles, 14, is an eighth grader at Maplewood Middle School. He takes a class at CHS and says he is already comfortable at the school. But he was happy to see all of the activities available. His father, Eugene, was pleased with the event.

“It’s good for the kids to see everything, to get familiar with the school. The more they come, the more comfortable they get, and the quicker they will get acclimated,” he said.

Keri Hoovler, 14, the vice president of the freshman class student council, remembers attending last year’s event. “It helped me get more comfortable,” she said. “I met people and got involved with groups that I heard about. Even now, there are so many new clubs that I don’t know about; I will definitely look around tonight.”

The true test of success is seeing how many freshmen join clubs and activities next year. “Our hope is to get everyone involved in at least on activity,” Edelman said.