By Giulia Gutzwiller, Guest Writer

On Aug. 28, Xavier held its annual Club Day event on the yard. As a first-year looking to get involved in multiple clubs and activities on campus, I attended this event with an open mind and embraced the opportunity to try something new. Although the sweltering heat made this difficult, I still got a lot out of my first Club Day experience.  

Club Day may seem overwhelming to many first-year students, as Xavier has over 150 student organizations, but that just means there are so many options to choose from. While the view of hundreds of decorated tables in the yard may have seemed intimidating from my Husman window, it was much more enjoyable as I walked around and stopped at the tables that piqued my interest.  

Part of what makes Club Day so effective is its accessibility and inclusivity; it’s incredibly easy for any Xavier student to register, show up and find ways to get involved in the Xavier community. The variety of clubs Xavier has to offer ensures that there is something for everyone to enjoy. Whether they’re passionate about sports, academics or the arts, every student can connect with other students who share similar interests.  

The returning club members who led their tables and interacted with prospective members also contributed to the effectiveness of Club Day. Everyone I spoke with was very approachable, kind and eager to tell me all about their club. Most of the tables were uniquely decorated with posters or banners that helped them stand out among the crowd and draw attention to their club. Additionally, many tables gave out free merchandise, snacks and other fun items. I returned to my dorm with handfuls of candy, stickers and a keychain! These efforts undoubtedly encouraged student involvement resulting in a very memorable event.  

Some highlights of the event were the Kroger and Dunkin’ stands. I waited in line at both stands for what felt like forever to spin a wheel and win amazing prizes. The Kroger stand prizes consisted of various coupons for frozen pizzas, sodas, cookies, water bottles and many other Kroger-brand products. The line for Dunkin’s stand was significantly longer as more students were interested in winning either a $5 gift card, a pair of sunglasses, a fanny pack or a bucket hat.  

The only negative aspect of Club Day that I’m sure everyone can agree on was the 95-degree weather. After five minutes of walking around, I was already drenched in sweat and desperately needed water. Fortunately, students could distract themselves from the heat with a bowl of ice cream and a cheese coney from the food trucks, and many tables gave out free water bottles to keep students hydrated. 

Overall, I had a great time at my first Club Day. I hope this event continues to be a perfect display of Xavier’s lively, welcoming and supportive community in the coming years.