By Simren ’27
Each year, Harvard-Westlake introduces students to its wide range of clubs and organizations through the Activities Fair, which is held during Community Time on the football field. The event brings together student leaders from across campus to share information about their clubs and answer questions from peers who are interested in getting involved.
The fair reflects the structure of student life at Harvard-Westlake. With more than 100 student-led clubs, activities span academic teams, service organizations, cultural and affinity groups, arts-based collectives, and recreational interests. Rather than highlighting a single path of involvement, the fair shows how students can engage with the school community in many different ways.
The Activities Fair is designed to be informational rather than a point of immediate commitment. Students do not sign up for clubs at individual tables. Instead, club leaders explain their purpose, meeting schedules, and expectations, allowing students to learn more before making decisions. Through various measures, students can join any clubs they please.
This system encourages students to explore broadly at the beginning of the year. Many attend the first meetings of several clubs before deciding which ones they would like to continue with. With accessible meeting times, students are able to balance multiple interests without scheduling conflicts.
As students move through the fair, they encounter a wide range of approaches to student involvement. Some clubs focus on competition or academic collaboration, while others center on creative expression, advocacy, or community service. Cultural and affinity groups provide spaces for shared identity and conversation, and lighter clubs exist to bring students together around common hobbies. Across all categories, clubs are organized and led by students.
The Activities Fair also provides insight into student leadership at Harvard-Westlake. The Middle School Student Council and Upper School Prefect Council operate as elected bodies that represent student voices and help plan events and initiatives throughout the year. Many clubs work alongside these organizations or emerge from student-led ideas supported by faculty advisors.
Overall, the Activities Fair serves as an introduction to how extracurricular life functions at Harvard-Westlake. It outlines the range of opportunities available, explains how students join and participate in clubs, and demonstrates the role students play in shaping the school’s activity landscape.
