This past September, four new clubs made their debut at the annual Pinewood Club Fair: the Kenpo Karate Club, the Girls Who Code Club, the Finance and Business Club, and the Pinewood Clicks Club. 

One of the newest additions to the fair was the Kenpo Karate Club, led  by Spanish teacher Aurora Collantes and freshman Lara Parikh. The club’s main objective is not only to teach students key skills on how to defend themselves, but also self respect and confidence.  

“I just want people to feel safe and secure in their own skin,” Parikh said. 

Similar to the Kenpo Karate Club, Girls Who Code seeks to teach students life skills that they can use now, or in the future. Advisor and computer science teacher Christine Tran, alongside freshman club leader Soha Budhani, hope to teach underprivileged girls how to code so that they may have more job opportunities in the future. 

Another extracurricular that was introduced at the club fair was the Finance and Business Club, whose advisor is literature and social studies teacher Michelle Gannon and is directed by juniors Ethan Roh and Rohan Parasnis as well as sophomores Koh Taradash, Alakh Kapadia and Kathleen Xie. Club members aspire to learn to make smart investments, pitch a business idea, and host guest speakers who can further their knowledge in the realm of finance and business.

“I want them to be able to approach problems with a creative mindset and integrity,” Gannon said.

The final club established this year was founded by art teacher Joy Blalock, with the support of sophomore leaders Trevor Chin and Bill Long. The Pinewood Clicks Clubs wishes for its members to grow as photographers and build an artistic community. Blalock plans to realize this through hosting small workshops to answer any questions or give feedback regarding photography.

“Photography is a fantastic way for students to connect with friends and with the world as a whole,” Blalock said. “This club will also allow students to connect with kids outside their grade level and help each other become better photographers.”