On Wed., Feb. 26, clubs held their semi-annual Club Rush event. This event, done every semester, is a way to promote clubs and activities on campus.

Key Club, Fashion Club, and Interact Club, along with many others, set out their tables filled with flyers, buttons, stickers, and new member registry. Students swarmed around the quad to see what the different clubs had to offer them.

Participating in Club Rush for the first time was the S.W.A.P. Students With A Plan is a new group created and run by 3 Downey students: Raeyvenne Parker, Salma Marquez, and Nick Hernandez. These students began their club in order to inform their fellow peers about their futures after high school. The club members discuss requirements for both college and universities as well as participate in workshops to experiment careers that may interest them.

Junior Nick Hernandez, the S.W.A.P. club treasurer, found interest in the group because of his curiosity about college.

“The S.W.A.P. club really attracted me because I know that sometimes it can all be so confusing and this club really helps with staying informed on what is needed and what I can do to help my future,” Hernandez said. “And anyone is free to join our S.W.A.P. meets.”

Another club that received attention was the H.O.P.E club. Helping Other People Everywhere is a group of students who give back to their community by doing volunteer work around the city of Downey. They conduct volunteer time that is also appealing and exciting to the students. They’ve volunteered at interesting places, such as the bunny rescue shelter in the City of Hawthorne.

Kevin Perez, a H.O.P.E club member, joined the club soon after his friends did, and has attended every meeting since.

“I expected the club to be girly; it just sounds so girly: H.O.P.E club,” Perez said. “But it’s actually really cool. We get to volunteer and we meet some really interesting people.”

According to club leaders, this semester’s Club Rush’s main audience were freshmen.

Freshman Alexander Garcia experienced Club Rush for the first time this semester and was surprised at the outcome.

“I didn’t think that many people would be so eager to join a club,” Garcia said. “The stage area was so crowded; it looked like a swarm of ants.”

A variety of clubs are offered at Downey High and Club Rush is a way for students to make new friends while trying something new.