As the coming of a brand-new month, the clubs’ open day was held on September 1st. Clubs’ open day is a traditional school activity in HFI, which provides each club with a platform to recruit and afford freshmen with charming and colorful opportunities to cultivate their hobbies. This year, the number of clubs first broke 100, marking a significant development of HFI’s diversity, HFIers’ creativity and leadership, and faculties’ management.

New Location

Echoing the use of the new campus, this year clubs’ open day started in the Knowledge City, with buses the school offers to commute. In Knowledge City’s new campus, larger area and newer infrastructures ensure each club showcases its unique appeal, making the recruitment process both dynamic and engaging. The Long-distance running club took full advantage of the vast sports field, for example, to allow interested students to directly feel the exhilaration as well as the endurance of distance running, adhering to the purpose of mutual understanding and help. Additionally, performances were better presented. According to Dance Club Fusionand Drama Club, this year their shows attracted plenty of audience and new members. “It’s like your effort paid off more.” Said one of the drama performers, Emily Tang.

(Cre: Jason Wu)

(Cre: Renee Xu)

New Clubs

The increase in the clubs underscores the growing awareness and observation among students about the world around them. More societal issues are discovered and discussed, and more subjects and hobbies are covered and studied. Every year, these newly established clubs express their refreshing insights and innovative ideas that resonate with the current trends and challenges of our times.

Nicola Li, the vice president of the newly-formed Make-up Club, shared her insights into the inspiration behind their creation. Noticing that the younger age of obsession with make-up and fashion, she expressed interest in exploring how teenagers’ fashion will influence the aesthetics of society and the broader social values. Similarly, most clubs delve into themes regarding society, providing a space for students to analyze the impacts of varied actions on identity and culture. However, many also acknowledged the challenges of establishing a new club. From managing numberless chats to communicate, crafting delicate posters to attract new members, to the lack of understanding of the freshmen, the newly-found MBTI club president Katrina Zhu detailed some of the difficulties. Despite these obstacles, the determination of these club leaders proves the resilience and creativity of HFI’s students.

(Cre: Jennifer Jiang)

New Activities

Come with more clubs are clubs’ creative activities to engage and welcome new members in various ways. The Gardening Club took a helpful approach through gifting each new member a small potted plant; The Linguistic Club applied an interesting challenge about not using modal particles; The NeuroLink Club utilized a quiz show to spread neuroscience......This simple yet innovative gesture not only provided a warm welcome but also underscored the clubs’ mission and connections with their themes. Also, they reflect clubs’ dedication to create an environment where every member can learn through playing and play through learning. Students all had high compliments toward these designed events: some joined multiple new clubs, wondering how to balance clubs and study; Aubrey Xie, the freshman in year 9, for example, chose 4 clubs, claiming to be surprised by the lively scene and novel activities.

(Cre: Katherine Huang)

The Ever-Evolving Saga

Clubs’ open day marks the end of the clubs’ recruitment but also the beginning of the clubs’ formal activities. The significance of this huge event is about bringing freshmen the passion of HFI’s clubs, encouraging them to explore their interests bravely. Each year the open day is improving in various aspects, and this year is another huge advancement with a new location, new clubs, and new activities. The success of each open day is based on the effort of the school, teachers, and students. As one of the biggest events in HFI, hope the clubs’ open day will become “newer” and “newer”.

Writer: Emily Tang

Editor: Jennifer Jiang

Photos by: Jason Wu, Renee Xu, Jennifer Jiang, Katherine Huang