On December 6th, Fort Hamilton’s annual Club Bazaar took place in the Girls’ Gym. Over forty clubs participated and decorated their booths to usher in the holiday spirit. The entire gym was adorned with bright decorations to usher in the season. Each club sold goodies, treats, or handmade crafts to fundraise. There was even a photo session with Santa Claus and his elves.
The event was put together with the help of Mr. Alvear, Ms. Farley and Leadership. Mr. Alvear helped coordinate all the clubs and how the event would run. Ms. Farley set up the photo session with props, a backdrop, and dressed-up characters ready to take pictures with. Leadership helped set up all the tables and chairs. The work put in was worth it as the Principal Houlihan found that “the event was very successful.”
The food sold was a particular highlight this year. Some memorable food and drink items included the Tea Ceremony Club’s ramen bowls; Ceramix Club’s scallion pancakes (which Ms. Yoonsmith made on a skillet and hot plate at the club’s table); Key Club’s tres leches cakes; Act Out’s eggnog snickerdoodles and banana cream pudding; and the Potato Club’s baked potatoes (with toppings like sour cream, grated cheese, salt and pepper).
Club members expressed gratitude for the opportunity to promote their clubs and earn money that could help pay for their clubs’ planned activities for the year.
“My clubs raised a lot of money to invest in food and activities for the year, and we even got to inform people about our club so they can join to spread the word,” said Ta’Siyah Riley, a junior in both the J-Walkers Club and Black Student Union. “It was so pleasing to walk around and see so many clubs with their unique food, trinkets, and designs.”
Indeed, the Club Bazaar brought the Fort community together, affording students from all over the building opportunities to share pieces of their cultural identities and unique talents with their peers, teachers, and coaches.
“There was a great joy and creativity that I was inspired to ask about things, try new things, and buy things,” Riley added. “I felt included, even though I felt unique and different from the other clubs and people there. I was aware everyone was there together enjoying each other’s company, and a great fall Saturday with shared hope and individual creativity.”
That creativity is part of what made this year’s Club Bazaar uniquely enjoyable for Fort students. While students were thankful for opportunities to share food and trinkets with one another, what mattered most was the community forged in the gym that Saturday.
“I had lots of fun and enjoyed seeing everyone together,” said junior Lucy Markowski, who attended the Bazaar.
