Welcome back to Your High School Starter Pack as we make the transition into the 2025-2026 school year! We’re Emma and Claire: two Tenafly sophomores who have successfully (and finally) survived being freshmen, and we’re here to give you the inside scoop on one of the most important events you’ll attend: the annual Club Fair!
Luckily for you, you found this article just in time; the fair is right around the corner, expected to take place next week, on September 25. Whether you love to create art, dream of conquering the world of business, or want to help the community, we’ve got you covered. We’ve compiled a list of some of the best clubs to become a part of, tailored to you. Consider this your GPS for navigating the sea of clubs at THS…after all, 100+ options await!
When thinking of joining a club, often the first thing that comes to mind is contributing to the community—not to mention banking those sweet volunteer hours. If you want to get involved, we have a couple of ideas for you.
Bake for the Better
Calling all bakers! Sometimes, flour, sugar, and a heartfelt goal in mind are all that you need to turn simple ingredients into sweet memories for both bakers and community members alike! As a baker in this club, you will be creating and delivering treats to bring to local senior homes—a noble cause that you can easily partake in, even without any past experience. Secretary Courtney Lai (’28) elaborates, “Its not just about baking; it’s about sharing joy with the seniors who deserve to feel remembered and loved.” So bring your friends, aprons, and appetite for giving back, one brownie at a time.
Interact Club
Want to help build our community? Take a leadership role this year and join the Interact Club! As the President (Emma), I love the dynamic that the club has formed. Partnered with the local Rotary club of Tenafly, we band together to host annual Halloween candy drives at the elementary schools, collect toys for the holidays, and even volunteer at local pantries. This year, we hope to expand our reach in collaboration with other clubs to build an even tighter bond within our school. Stop by Room 208 during lunch on C Days to give back, piece by piece.
Other great clubs to join for community service include the Tutoring Club, the Key Club, and the Senior Homes Volunteer Club!
Now, if you’re looking for some friendly competition or to get some awards this year, check out our competition clubs! Each one is a great opportunity to build a strong, lasting community, make memories, and rack up that college resumé!
Debate Club
If you’re anything like us, you probably find yourself diving into arguments more often than you would like to admit—if you couldn’t already tell, we love to voice our opinions. Or maybe, you’re hungry for an award to put on your college application (we were all thinking it… after all, debate can increase a student’s chances of getting into a top college by 22-30%, according to a study conducted by The Wall Street Journal). Either way, the debate club is the place for you! With competitions every month, students quickly become masters of persuasion, public speaking, and current events (as a bonus: this helps with history class!). President Soeun Lee (’27) explains, “Debate offers students the opportunity to improve both as a constructor of words and an observer of the world. By joining, students build confidence, style, and poise in speaking about current affairs.”
DECA
DECA is where business meets adrenaline. Think fast-paced roleplays, real-world challenges, and the kind of simulations that make you feel like you’re on Shark Tank (minus the scary investors). Not only do alumni say DECA is an unforgettable experience, but it also doubles as resume gold—every time you place at regionals, states, and maybe even internationals, you’re proving that you can think fast, lead under pressure, and solve problems quickly. Amanda Lee (’28), 2025 NJ state qualifier, can tell you herself: “Going into DECA freshman year, I didn’t think I would get much out of it or win, but after placing first at regionals, and then going to states, I realized this was something that is very much achievable and at the same time so much fun.” Whether you’re into business or just want an excuse to wear a blazer and look important, DECA is calling your name.
If you’re still hungry for more ways to compete and win, check out the Math Club, and the Robotics Club!
Are you interested in the math behind gravity? Or perhaps, if you’d rather tackle fun challenges and show off your science smarts, we have just the right place for you. Either way, you’ll get to explore science beyond the classroom—and have a blast doing it!
Science Olympiad
Do you enjoy friendly competition? What about science? If you love both, Science Olympiad is the club for you. The Science Olympiad is an event-based club that encourages STEM for high schoolers in the form of competition. The team, composed of 15 students and led by Ms. Subramanium competes at tournaments including Yale, Columbia, Princeton, Cornell, and UPenn. Constantly delving deep into oddly specific topics, President Noah Jackson (’26) describes the “late nights studying or building devices, waking up early to go to buses, and spending full days at long competitions. Through it all, you get to win awards, meet new people, and make awesome memories!”
Physics Club
A combination of math and science, the physics club dives into the reality of everyday life through hands-on activities and creative experiments that make creative concepts fun and practical! President Hilary Xie (’26) elaborates on the club as a “fun, tight-knit community and the TEAMS competition we do is always a blast. You get to work with your friends on real-world problems like constructing structures to survive natural disasters, which we did last year. Some of our teams even make it, and win at nationals. I hope you guys consider joining!” Whether you’re passionate about science or just curious to try something new, the physics club is the perfect place to have fun and challenge yourself along the way.
If you truly love science, some more clubs worth exploring include Chemistry Club, Biology Club, and Rocketry Club!
These next few are for anyone who dreams in stories, song, or sound; these clubs are the perfect stage to present your creativity.
Chamber Music Club
Chamber Music Club is where music and friendship hit all the right notes. This club is all about small ensembles (think trios, quartets, or quintets) where each musician gets a chance to shine. You’ll practice together, learn how to blend your sound and communicate through melodies, all while having a blast on stage and off. President Christine Park (’27) says, “By forming chamber groups and performing in concerts and tours, not only can students develop musicality and expression of art, but it can also increase our sense of agency through interactions. I believe our club is more cooperative and uniform as a group than any other clubs, so join in if you want to make great memories!” Sign up and discover that creating music is better when you “Handel” it with friends!
The Echo
One of the high school staple experiences is reading the weekly scoop in our very own newspaper, The Echo—and guess what? You’re reading it right now! This article, like every other story on our website, was written by a Tenafly High School student just like you, during lunch, after school, or sometimes in a flurry of last-minute inspiration. Writing for The Echo is hands-on, fast-paced, and in the end, it is so much fun to watch as our words come to life on the page. Editor-in-Chief Orli Rosenstein (’26) describes the club as beginning “in Tenafly over 100 years ago and [that it] remains a strong club. Writing for The Echo is a great way to express yourself and meet new people.” If you’re an aspiring writer, make sure to stop by on E Days during the second half of lunch for pitches, brainstorming, and sharing your ideas!
Curious about other forms of art? Check out Knitting Club, Photography Club, and One Acts!
Exploring new traditions, foods, and perspectives with the culture clubs is a great place to start. The perfect way to celebrate your heritage, learn about others, and share experiences to make new friends, these clubs bring the world a little closer to home.
Jewish Student Union
The JSU is all about celebrating Jewish culture, connecting with others, and making an impact in the school community. It is a space where learning and friendship come together with fun activities, cultural discussions, and engaging events taking place at every meeting. Every few weeks, the club creates an awareness campaign to educate peers about relevant social and cultural issues. Secretary Jack Altman (’28) puts it best: “The JSU is such a nice environment where students get to learn about their culture, and have fun with their peers. We always have pizza, and we play really fun games!”
Chinese Culture Club
From fan dance to lions, the Chinese Culture Club has it all. Immersed in the tradition of China, this club ensures a friendly, inviting community for everyone. Kristy Hom (’27), a member, encourages those who value bringing “together those who enjoy Chinese culture. We also perform in THS’s annual Lunar New Year!! Come join CCC if you are interested in Chinese culture and/or performing for the annual Lunar Year Event. We meet in Ms. Sung’s class every Monday during lunch!!!” By spreading Asian culture, the CCC welcomes all new members with open arms.
Other clubs where you can immerse yourself in different cultures include the Spanish Culture Club, the Korean Culture Club, the German Culture Club, and tons more!
No matter what your interests are, there’s a club at THS with your name on it. From music and writing to business and community service, the possibilities are literally endless. The club fair is your chance to explore, ask questions, and discover your new passion. So grab a friend and dive in—we hope to see you in the library on September 25!
