Many of Choate’s student clubs venture beyond the gates of the School to engage in service work with the local community. Through these opportunities, students can explore their passions, create meaningful impact, and give back to the community.
The Environmental Action Coalition (EAC) provides students with the tools they need to push for real legislative change regarding environmental concerns. This year, EAC hosted two community service opportunities to clean up Doolittle Park and the Quinnipiac River Trail.
Club President Ryan Froeb ’23 said, “We provide students agency, skills, and experience to bring about change in the Wallingford community and beyond.” In 2023, the EAC will continue to host additional community service opportunities and fun events to help bridge the gap between Choate and the Wallingford community.
Another club that supports the local community is the Mentorship Program, which works to increase education access and networking opportunities for local students through their weekly tutoring sessions. The club works with students from James H. Moran and Dag Hammarskjold middle schools in Wallingford. Club Co-founder Ava McClatchie ’24 reflected on the impact that the club has made: “We’ve noticed real growth in many of our returning students; they use the mentorship sessions as not only opportunities for academic growth, but also for social enrichment.” In the months ahead, McClatchie, along with Club Co-founder Zainab Khokha ’24, aims to collect books and other school supplies to donate to the local community as well as to expand the number of participants in their club.
In the Teach Music club, members work with tutees at the Spanish Community of Wallingford (SCOW) to advance their instrumental proficiency. Every week, SCOW students come to Colony Hall and meet with Choate musicians in both one-on-one and group settings.
Club leader Joyce Liu ’25 is excited about the opportunities the club plans to offer. She shared, “We hope to hold some events, including musical workshops, ensembles, and even concerts, that can demonstrate every student’s improvement and effort. Our goal is to bring out the musical potential in every student and help each student to the best of our ability.” The club allows Choate students to not only practice their own skills, but also to encourage other budding musicians.
GirlTech, which strives to close the gender gap in STEM fields, works with the Wallingford Public Library to introduce girls to STEM subjects. Choate students teach local children 3D printing, coding, and virtual reality applications. The club empowers girls to pursue their passions for science and technology and become more confident in their skills.
As Club President Shauna Schiffman ’23 explained, club meetings “provide a safe and supportive space for girls to share their passion for science and technology and discuss the adversities they’ve faced in STEM classes.”
The club gives historically underrepresented groups a way to pursue STEM, even if those opportunities are not provided at their own schools. Hoping to continue inspiring potential future scientists and tech wizards, GirlTech is looking forward to hosting more events at the public library in the coming months.
If you are looking to get involved in the local Wallingford community, these and many more clubs that offer service work are the perfect opportunity to do so. In helping others, you will give yourself a larger purpose and learn valuable and applicable life skills.
