McLean’s practice field buzzed with energy as Celebrate McLean returned outdoors this year, bringing hundreds of students together to explore clubs, connect with friends and celebrate the start of the new school year. Unlike last year’s event, which was forced inside by rain, a sunny afternoon gave students a full festival-like experience. This year’s gathering featured a DJ, mini golf and multiple bounce houses. The pinnacle of the event, as in past years, was the paint-out—where heaps of paint covered students wearing white shirts.
“I was impressed by how many different clubs there are,” freshman Kovas Plummer said. “As someone new [to the school], it was not what I had imagined since I originally went to a smaller school that didn’t have many of these types of activities.”
The event opened more than just sign-up opportunities for new high school students.
“Celebrate McLean creates a community not just for the whole school, but for smaller groups who find what people they fit in with,” Plummer said.
The event, along with showcasing dozens of well-established and traditional student organizations, also gave newly established clubs the chance to introduce themselves.
“The turnout exceeded my expectations,” said sophomore Swara Hedge, co-founder of McLean’s new SPARK Club. “Honestly, I didn’t expect so many people to show up.”
Hedge explained that the in-person environment of Celebrate McLean created a level of engagement that was not achievable through social media advertisement alone.
“Sure, you could get a bunch of followers on social media, but Celebrate McLean allowed us to reach people who actually took interest in the club from every grade,” Hedge said.
Newly established groups also found creative ways to draw crowds to their booths. The McLean Business and Law Society club (BLAW) used a mix of flashy marketing and giveaways to bring in a record number of sign-ups.
“While we expected a solid turnout thanks to our marketing, Celebrate McLean blew past our expectations,” said junior Chris Thames, co-founder of BLAW. “Over 200 students, rumored to be a school record, rushed to sign up. What we thought would be a popular table turned into a full-on mob for two hours straight.”
For many student leaders, Celebrate McLean was as much about reconnecting with peers as promoting their clubs.
“Celebrate McLean had a fantastic atmosphere and was amazingly well organized,” said sophomore Saachi Thomas, leader of the speech team. “Personally, the best part was seeing so many people I care about, especially those who I don’t see regularly anymore.”
Thomas expressed that the event helps make McLean’s large and busy student body feel more connected.
“It’s an amazing place to get the word out about different clubs, causes and competitions that can so easily go unnoticed,” Thomas said.
Celebrate McLean’s impact wasn’t just limited to high schoolers; some saw it as a bridge to families and future McLean students.
“[The event] was very family friendly, allowing both students and their families to participate,” sophomore Cleary Caruth, founder of the new Project Purpose club. “I think it was a great way to allow families to see what clubs were offered and allow current eight-graders to get a sample of what extracurriculars are offered at McLean.”
Many see Celebrate McLean as a networking opportunity that helps fuel student excitement.
“Celebrate McLean was really just a vibrant environment where there was a ton of social activity; I saw a bunch of happy and interested faces, especially when looking at my club,” said junior Michael Ma, co-founder of McLean Investment club. “It’s an early event in the school year that everyone can go to and feel that there is something interesting for them.”
