Minnetonka High School hosted its annual activities fair at the end of September, inviting a vast array of clubs and activities to showcase their unique features during students’ lunch periods. Student leaders and current club members hosted tables at the event and provided passersby with all the necessary information about their activities, including activity details such as levels of commitment, meeting times and locations.

“The purpose of hosting the activities fair is to provide the Minnetonka student body opportunities to get connected with the wonderful clubs and activities offered at the high school,” said Ted Schultz, Director of Activities at MHS. “It also gives clubs and activities the opportunity to connect with the student body to promote and recruit members.”

The featured clubs covered a wide range of fields and interests. Whether seeking to learn more about data science and statistics or looking to join a pickleball team, students had no shortage of options to choose from at the fair. Among the many clubs participating were the Gender and Sexuality Alliance, philosophy club and fencing club.

Schultz emphasized the value of the activities fair in helping students form connections with each other. “It provides students the opportunity to get involved. It is also a great event that builds unity in the school.”

Some clubs that exemplify this idea of connectivity are Tonka Serves and MHS’s various affinity groups—including Asian Student Union (ASU), Hispanic Student Union (HSU), Desi Student Union (DSU) and more—which were both featured at the activities fair.

Tonka Serves brings together students of all ages and helps to connect them with volunteer opportunities in the community. The students and staff involved are dedicated to serving the greater good and fostering personal growth, and they have come to form a tight-knit community of their own. For more information specifically about volunteer opportunities, students who are interested can attend the Fall Volunteer Fair on October 25 in the MHS Commons.

Similarly, the affinity groups at the high school bring together students of all backgrounds to learn about different cultures and form connections among the diverse student body. Each provides a unique, comfortable and interactive environment, with activities ranging from cricket with DSU to fútbol (soccer) watch parties with HSU. The affinity groups are popular at MHS, with membership reaching nearly one hundred students for many of them. 

Schultz highly encourages students to take part in at least one club or activity from the high school’s vast selection. “Studies have shown that students who are connected perform better academically, attend school more and have better overall mental health than students who are not involved,” he said. “That connection allows students to develop their community and feel like they belong here at MHS.”