Welcome to Club Rush!
From academic clubs to sports clubs or even art-based clubs, Pacifica High School is home to a wide range of clubs that are available to all students on campus. Starting on September 3rd, club rush has been one of the most sought after events on campus. Held during lunch on the big quad, the event transforms the school into a hub of energy and excitement. Every year, students run booths together, each decorated with their own colorful, eye-catching posters, candy, and creative displays. Students in each club passionately share the goals of their club and invite peers to join, showcasing hard work and dedication that contribute to making these groups a vital part of Pacifica’s community.

Backstage at Club Rush
Behind every club booth during club rush, there was careful planning, teamwork, and dedication that made every display possible. When asked the biggest preparations for club rush, Tu-Nhan Pham, who is on board of multiple clubs, including VSA (Vietnamese Student Association), FNL (Friday Night Live), and Key Club, emphasized the importance of clear communication and organization: “Dividing up the roles, making sure everyone knows what they are supposed to do, and creating posters and trifolds were important tasks that needed to be completed.” Club leaders also had their hands full: “I was a bit anxious because we were rushing with the poster making due to the little time that we had. I’m glad things ended up looking really good though, like I genuinely feel happy and appreciative for everyone who helped,” said Whisk Takers (baking club) President, Carley Chau. Additionally, many clubs had creative strategies to engage students and encourage sign-ups. “For FNL, the board all pitched money to get a Crumbl gift card that we will raffle at the first general meeting. VSA, we gave out guava candy, and rice crackers. For Key Club, it was otter pops,” added Tu-Nhan. Thanks to the behind-the-scenes coordination, students were able to explore clubs smoothly and get a real sense of campus life.
Through the Eyes of a Club-Goer
To start off, the feedback we were given from our student body was primarily positive, with the excitement for this event going through the roof this year, with positive comments being made left and right! One junior, named Chloe Kong , said, “It’s a great experience where you get to meet new people and be exposed to different insights,” when questioned about her thoughts on the event. After all, the event this year definitely had a major improvement, in comparison to the previous years. That can be due to the fact that Club Rush wasn’t as well planned last year, in general as well as thought out in advance, which attributed to a decrease in student interest in deciding to participate or at least check out the event. Unlike this year, more consideration was put into how the event should be organized and the set-up for the club booths were also more eye-catching. In turn, it caused Club Rush this year to become more active since it drew more students to join and look forward to what attending would offer them as the participants. But, aside from the fun aspect of it from the games, treats, and promotion of the clubs themselves, it should be worth noting how the students viewed Club Rush to be more than just games and candy. When one senior, Sophia Garcia Castillo was asked why Club Rush was important to her, she said, “The involvement with the community and having a space where people can come and get together, learn about culture, and to unite together.” Through that, it goes to show the contributions clubs play in building the community at Pacifica and the effects they bring upon our students, where we can not only connect but also open ourselves up to new people and experiences.

Driven by Dedication
Not only is club rush a high energy packed school event, it is a celebration of school spirit, creativity, and dedication that students bring to campus life. With dozens of clubs setting vibrant displays, it offers a glimpse into the diverse interests and talents that contribute to making Pacifica unique. The students’ dedication goes beyond just setting up; it reflects their passion for the club and their commitment to creating a warm, inclusive community on campus. These students invest time and energy to make Club Rush a successful and enjoyable experience for everyone.
Wrapping up the Rush
These clubs represent a one-of-a-kind way for students to connect, grow and make a difference among their community. Pacifica’s clubs are one of the school’s pillars in establishing a positive and inclusive school environment through promoting cultural differences, academic excellence, mental health, community service, and even more. In doing so, this causes students to not only be involved academically, but also feel seen as their own individuals in our school. They also get a chance themselves to bond with new people who have the passions themselves, while being exposed to new activities and opportunities.