LAKEPORT, Calif. – Students in the Lakeport Unified School District are involved in several clubs at the middle and high school level, and advisors are hoping to see interest grow.

Existing clubs offer fitness opportunities, crafts, academic challenges, social interaction and community service.

“Our schools do a terrific job of making sure every student has an opportunity to participate in a club that develops their skills and interests,” said LUSD Superintendent Erin Smith-Hagberg. “We are fortunate to have several staff members step in as club advisors to encourage our students. We believe the participation in extracurricular activities, such as sports and clubs, contributes to students’ better grades and to their happiness.”

About 20 percent of the student population at Terrace Middle School participates in 10 different clubs.

“We have a variety of clubs with activities to meet students’ interests and help develop skills. Quite often the concept for a new club comes from students,” said Terrace Middle School Principal Jill Falconer.

There are three fitness-based clubs provided at the middle school that seek to promote physical activity and movement as a way of life.

The Wednesday Walking Club is for fourth through fifth graders, and they meet after school for exercise and fun. Awards are given out at the end of the year for the number of miles walked.

Girls on the Move is for the sixth through eighth grade girls and is an afterschool running club in the fall each year. The Dance Club is an afterschool club that promotes physical activity through dance.

The academic clubs emphasize the importance of education, knowledge and hard work. Academic clubs such as California Junior Scholarship Federation, the Washington D.C. Club and the Cultural Appreciation Club, provide additional learning experiences.

The California Junior Scholarship Federation cultivates high standards of scholarship, service and citizenship, along with emphasizing service to the school and community and taking pride in intellectual accomplishments.

The Washington D.C. Club is for sixth through eighth graders. The club raises money for its biannual trip to Washington, D.C.

During the trip, students tour the nation’s capital as well as Philadelphia and New York City. They visit national and historical monuments, locations, museums and buildings.

The Cultural Appreciation Club, a new club this year, is for 4th and 5th graders. Falconer says, “This club increases knowledge and awareness of our many diverse cultures.”

Other clubs offered to students at Terrace Middle School is Junior Interact Club, Garden Club, Crochet Club and Friends of Rachel Club.

The Junior Interact Club is affiliated with the local Rotary Club, and students volunteer to do community service.

Crochet Club is a crafting club for seventh through eighth grader and was started this year to teach students to crochet.

The Garden Project was established by seventh grade teacher Elisa Prather and the Junior Interact Club maintained it last year, but the new Garden Club now takes care of it.

Friends of Rachel is an anti-bullying club that focuses on creating a culture of kindness and compassion on the campus.

Clear Lake High School offers many club opportunities as well. They include an Interact Club and California Scholarship Federation club, similar to the middle school’s Junior Interact and California Junior Scholarship Federation clubs.

The Latino Club participates in various community service opportunities. In the past members have volunteered for a wide spectrum of organizations including The Hero Project and Tango Mike.

Clear Lake High Instructor Pam Bradley is the advisor of the Debate Club that meets on Fridays. Members research and discuss current events and other topics of interest to try to persuade others to agree with their points of view or opinions.

Teacher Adam Evans is the advisor for both the Glee Club and Harry Potter Club on campus. Evans says, “Glee Club is for students that love to sing and have the desire and the drive to learn how to sing individually and in a group. Club members work together to grow their vocal strength and to learn how to sing in harmony. The group performs at several events throughout the year.”

The Harry Potter Club is for Harry Potter Universe enthusiasts. The club’s objective is to get like-minded individuals together to discuss the Harry Potter movies and books. They arrange Harry Potter Week and also plan the Clear Lake High Quidditch Match.

Like the middle school, the high school offers fitness clubs as well. Shawna Lee and Kristi Tripp are the advisors of the Mountain Biking Club that meets on Fridays.

Relay for Life is much more than walking around a track. It is a community fundraiser, and the money that the event raises makes a difference in the fight against cancer.

Jenny Ingram is the advisor for the high school’s Relay for Life team, for the event held at the Clear Lake High School track in the spring.

For more information about clubs on the Lakeport Unified campuses, visit the Lakeport Unified School District Web site, www.lakeport.k12.ca.us , where links to the schools’ Web sites, newsletters and Facebook pages may be accessed.