Joliet, IL–August 21, 2024– In a collaborative effort, teachers, coaches, and athletes from Joliet Central High School gathered on Wednesday at the school’s field house and gym to host a “Get Involved” fair. The event was designed to encourage students to participate in a wide variety of sports and clubs the school offers.

Founded in 1901, Joliet Central High School has seen their sports and extracurriculars have a wide variety. The Get Involved Fair has been consistent for 3 years, and has played a significant role in introducing students to a range of different clubs and activities, in which they might not have been familiar with prior.

This event took place during students’ ROTC, gym, or English classes where they would go down to the gym and field house. In the field house, tables were placed in a circle on the outer part of the track, and students would walk around while seeing the sports and clubs available. Students could also go to the main gym, where after school clubs were. “I really enjoyed the fair, I thought it was a great opportunity for the students at Joliet Central to be part of the community,” said Ms. Halusek, an English teacher at the school. The fair was ultimately a great opportunity for not only students, but also coaches, teachers, and club leaders to further expand their extracurriculars.

The fair has immediately strengthened the sense of community at Joliet Central High School, as more students are joining clubs and sports teams than in previous years. Looking ahead, increased participation in extracurriculars could boost student achievement and foster leadership. This event aligns with other events that the school offers to familiarize students to its campus, such as the annual orientation held before the start of the school year.

In conclusion, the fair successfully encouraged students to join a variety of sports teams and clubs, strengthening the school’s community and engagement. The event has received positive feedback from both students and staff. Moving forward, the school should maintain these events throughout the school year, such as the annual orientation and additional fairs. These extra events will provide students with ongoing opportunities to discover and engage in a variety of extracurricular activities.