Goddard High School

The commons area of Goddard High School is usually empty during lunch hour, except for student shuffling to and from the “Mane Street” cafeteria area. But on Thursday, August 21st, and Friday, August 22nd, it was full with students browsing involvement options at the annual Student Activity & Club Fair. Held during the lunch hours from approximately 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., the event transformed the typical midday break into a scholastic showcase of the numerous involvement opportunities available to students across all high school grade levels.

Tables lined the commons as student club leaders and faculty sponsors proudly exhibited colorful banners, informational fliers, and creative displays designed to capture the attention of their peers. From academic honor societies to recreational or service clubs, each organization had the chance to highlight what makes their group unique and worthwhile. The student-run nature of the fair was evident as club members enthusiastically shared their experiences and actively recruited new members to join their ranks.

Among the organizations in attendance was GHS Eco-Meet, where Faculty Co-Sponsor Phil Moorhouse, a Special Education Teacher specializing in Earth & Space Science, Life Science, and Physical Science, beamed with pride as he discussed the program's impressive track record. "In the last eight years, this school's Eco-Meet teams have successfully completed seasons landing in the top three in the state. So we're really proud of all that these students are able to accomplish together," Moorhouse explained. The team's focus on environmental elements clearly resonated with students seeking hands-on learning experiences, as Moorhouse noted, "It's a great chance to get outdoors and interact together, while exploring various combinations of Kansas’ ecological features."

The GHS Student Council table drew considerable attention from underclassmen interested in leadership opportunities and school involvement. Sophomore Marlee Rogers enthusiastically described her experience serving on Student Council, emphasizing the community aspect, "Coming together with others who care about the betterment of the school, to boost school spirit and pride, is really fun!" Her fellow sophomore, Miles Pfeiffer, highlighted the practical benefits of the leadership experience, explaining, "I feel like it's really good practice for being in management, like real-world experience. Coordinating with leadership (school administration) while planning projects, events, and campaigns is really exciting. Getting to work with peers for a common goal makes it really worth it."

The two-day format made it more accommodating for students that might not be there one day or the other, and having it held over the span of all Goddard High School's three lunch sessions ensured that all students could explore their options. When student leaders weren't available during certain lunch periods, faculty sponsors stepped in to maintain coverage, demonstrating the collaborative effort between students and staff to make the event successful. By the end of Friday afternoon, club leaders and faculty sponsors alike expressed satisfaction with the turnout and engagement, confident that the fair had successfully fulfilled its primary mission: informing students about the diverse opportunities available at GHS while maintaining the high levels of participation that make the school's extracurricular programs so successful.