School clubs can serve as a break from academic pressure and a chance for students to come together around common interests. Here at West, there are over 50 clubs to choose from, ranging from clubs with friendly discussions to rigorous competition. Bingo Club, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) and Black Student Union (BSU) are three of West High’s clubs that promote various cultures and leadership systems.s.

While the three organizations fall under extracurricular involvement, their day-to-day experiences differ in the amount of responsibility that falls on members and leaders. Meeting structures vary across the organizations, with some mainly focusing on engagement during meetings and others involving planning or preparation for events and competitions. Leadership roles also differ, with responsibilities ranging from organizing materials and running meetings to coordinating events and managing member participation.

In November 2025, junior Trent Young created the Bingo Club with the goal of being a welcoming environment for students. During the third lunch period every Friday, members meet in science teacher Brittany Wagner’s room, where they play bingo and spend time with one another. The meetings are centered around participation in the game itself, with students joining in at their own pace.

“I started [Bingo Club] because I was inspired by the people I saw on [television] playing, and it sounded fun. I mentioned it to Wagner, and she thought it was a great idea,” junior Trent Young said.

While there are roles such as president, leadership responsibilities mainly involve organizing materials and making sure meetings run smoothly. 

“Nobody really cares about positions [because] it doesn’t factor into us playing bingo,” junior Emmerson Douglas said. “We just show up and have a good time.”

Over time, the format of the meetings and the goal of the club have remained consistent while focusing on participation. 

“The goal is to give students a space where they can relax and feel included in a game they enjoy. There’s no competition for leadership roles here; everyone has an equal role. Anyone can step up when they feel ready,” Wagner said.

Students interested in participating can attend Bingo Club, which meets every Friday during third lunch in Mrs. Wagner’s classroom. The club is open to all students and provides a consistent opportunity to get involved on a weekly basis.

While Bingo Club prioritizes a low-pressure environment and social interaction, FBLA is one of many competitive, career-based clubs offered at West. FBLA is a national nonprofit organization designed to prepare students for careers in business and leadership through structured meetings, conferences and competitive events. Participation often involves preparation outside of meetings, including studying for tests and organizing projects related to competitions.

“Leadership roles [like officers and president] are important because we plan what the meetings are going to be about, we organize who is competing in what events, and even make sure people have paid their dues,” junior and West High’s FBLA president Diana Chocheva said. “There’s a lot more responsibility. We meet once a month as a whole club, but officers meet two or three times a month.”

In FBLA, leadership roles come with additional responsibilities that extend beyond regular meetings, including organizing events, managing communication and preparing members for competitions. Members who participate in events are expected to dedicate time to studying and practicing.

“To be a part of FBLA, it takes a lot [of] work,” Chocheva said. “For an event, you might have to take a 50-minute test with 100 questions, and you have to make time to prepare. You go to districts and qualify, you go to State. [Last year,] I went to Nationals, and that took five days out of my summer.”

Students interested in joining FBLA can contact president Diana Chocheva by email for more information about meetings, competitions and involvement opportunities.

While some clubs lean toward either competition or relaxation, BSU incorporates elements of both leadership and community-building. BSU focuses on representation and connection while also organizing meetings and events through a student leadership team. In addition to weekly meetings, the club takes part in school-wide initiatives that highlight culture, history and student voices. 

Throughout the year, BSU organizes activities such as Black History Month programming, including informational displays around school and student-led discussions during their meetings. They also host an annual BSU trip where students tour historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), allowing members to explore campus life, learn about different academic programs and see firsthand the legacy of these institutions.

“We try to do what students want to do instead of what [others] want us to do, making sure it’s engaging while also learning at the same time,” senior and leadership team member Tanatswa Zirengani said.

Zirengani has been involved in BSU throughout high school and now serves on the leadership team, where she contributes to planning meetings, organizing events and communicating with other members. Responsibilities are shared among students, allowing multiple members to take part in leadership tasks rather than relying on a single position.

“The club is more about contributing as a team. There’s no real hierarchy, it’s just a [matter of] distributing who’s doing what, such as planning whether or not we’re going to have certain events,” Zirengani said.

The purpose of BSU extends beyond individual events, aiming to highlight Black excellence throughout the school while creating a space where students feel represented and supported. 

If students are interested in joining, they can reach out to Andrea Horn by email to be added to the BSU Google Classroom to stay updated on upcoming meetings and events.

At West, different clubs offer different structures and expectations, giving students multiple ways to get involved. Students can visit the Parkway West activities page to explore other opportunities. There, students can find a full list of clubs offered at West and access contact information for club sponsors to learn more about joining.