Twenty-nine student organizations had displays ready to attract students in the Blue Gym for Club Day. Some, like Sam Mintz, signed up for the first time.

Mintz, a junior, put his name down for Imagine, the literary magazine. He said his friends "highly recommended it." In addition, he said, signing up helps "to pad the college app with as many clubs and activities as possible."

Imagine is an award-winning publication, said Leah Richardson, the club's faculty adviser. It received the highest award from the National Council of Teachers in English in 2008, which would surely impress college admissions officers.

Students were called down by grade during fifth and sixth period On Friday, Oct. 23, for the occasion. The aim is to "to let students see what clubs AHS has to offer and give them a chance to join them," says Joanna Begin, a math teacher who is largely responsible for the event.

Each of the 29 clubs had trifold displays set up by volunteers with information about their respective groups. To sign up, students were required to write their name, e-mail address, grade, and homeroom on sheets posted at each display. Students are not forced to join clubs, but are encouraged to examine those that interest them.

Clubs can be established by meeting with Ms. Begin in her classroom and submitting a club profile explaining the potential group's purpose. Students are then asked to find a faculty member willing to serve as an adviser for the club, and if one is found, meetings can begin to be held.

Asked why students would benefit from clubs, Ms. Begin said, "It's rewarding to them because they get to meet new friends." Another benefit is "giving back to the community and the world" for certain clubs, such as STAND (Students Taking Action Now in Darfur) and SAVE (Students Against Violations in the Environment).

The clubs offered at AHS are, as Mr. Skidmore, the AHS principal, said in a recent update:

"Ad Alta, Anime, Arlington Youth Health and Safety Coalition, Art, Aware, Breakdancing 101, Computer, Dancing Pirates Ultimate Frisbee, Drama Guild, Friends of BIP, Gay Straight Alliance GSA, Geography, Interact, International, Imagine Literary Magazine, Journalism, Math Club, Mission 3:16, Ping Pong Club, Poetry Club, Raising Awareness Against Depression RAAD, Students Against Violations of the Environment SAVE, Science and Engineering, Set Construction and Design, Ski and Snowboarding, Students Against Destructive Decisions SADD, Students Taking Action Now in Darfur STAND, Support the Troops, TARS-Young Republicans, Trading Card Club, and Young Democrats."