Building back belonging

By Talan Collins

Showcasing the wide variety of after school organizations and affinity groups available to students, the club fair highlighted the importance of community building and involvement. 

The event included a scavenger hunt, which encouraged students to learn more about some of River’s diverse club offerings – from the lighthearted Bagel Club to the welcoming and locally competitive Chess Club. 

Cezanne Tyner, an equity facilitator for high schools across the district, explains that Panorama survey data, collected last year, “shows that students in Vancouver Public Schools feel a sense of belonging to their schools at a rate of 41%.” Tyner, who aims to raise that number to 45 by the end of the year, hopes that “by having different clubs come together in a space to advertise what they’re doing, what they’re talking about, what they’re concerned about… maybe [students will] have a stronger sense of belonging at [River].” 

Aimed at bringing students together, the event was first proposed by senior and advisory member Alan Sombounvong, while the planning process was led by Mae Otoupal, Emerson Haney, Mariama Bah, and pathways coordinator Morgan Parker. 

Asked about what motivated their efforts, Bah emphasized that clubs help “people to find their people,” particularly “over a shared common interest.” Haney adds that the fair was “a step in the right direction,” and was “about bringing the community back and knowing that we are all here for each other.”