When they’re not dedicating themselves to their studies, Fieldston Upper students expand their minds through the wide array of clubs available. Occurring during the school day’s activity periods, clubs encourage students to apply their budding knowledge to ambitious and unique goals and projects beyond the classroom setting.
“Clubs find that balance between extracurriculars and academics because they can combine both,” says Science Teacher and Dean of Student Engagement Ruth Taveras, who has overseen this year’s club approval process. “They’re a playground for students, and they’re a space to really think of how students can impact their communities.”
Fieldston Upper’s annual club fair showcases this community action and spirit, gathering student leaders to promote their groups with engaging signs and friendly faces encouraging classmates to get involved. This year, exactly 100 clubs and twelve affinity groups participated in the fair. Whether students gravitated towards Females in Finance, AIM Robotics, the Meditation Club, or others, their joy at the amount of creative choices was palpable in the Quad.
“The clubs are really where students learn leadership,” Taveras says. “They learn how to organize agendas, run events, and advocate for themselves and other students. It’s also a moment for students to just step outside of academics and tap into these other talents. If a student wants to go to a different club, they can.”
“For me, the club fair is all about finding your passions and accepting that they can be unique!” says Lily S. ’25, a Fieldston News co-editor-in-chief. “I can walk down the row of booths and join the Fieldston Muse or the Robotics Club because the Club Fair inspires students to be well-rounded and not one-dimensional.”
From ECFS standards such as the Fieldston News and the Special Olympics Club to newer ventures like the Caribbean Culture Coalition and the A Capella Club, Taveras also noticed a common link among the impressive range of clubs. “Many of them have to do with advocacy and raising money for a group or demographic that needs help,” she shared. “About 80 percent of them have to do with giving back, and while the other percentage is fun things like the Chess Club or the DJ Club, many of them have service components directly connected to our community service work at ECFS.”
New in her role as Dean of Student Engagement, Taveras notes the eager confidence of Fieldston Upper students when pursuing ideas. “They’re just so brilliant,” she adds. “Their ideas are always for the better of the community inside and outside the campus.”
As students pursue their passions through clubs, they not only enrich their own experiences but also make valuable contributions to the greater community. The enthusiasm and dedication on display during the club fair demonstrate that at Fieldston Upper, advocacy, curiosity, and creativity go hand in hand, inspiring the next generation of leaders.
