As students enter the auditorium before senior speeches, they’ve grown used to hearing the exotic beats of foreign artists the Intercultural Club plays over the speakers, but on Apr. 1 the A Cappella group, Spartan Beats, performed the numbers they’ve been working on instead.

Music at assemblies, whether from IC or Spartan Beats, is one way student groups visibly add to the quality of the St. Paul Academy and Summit School experience, and remind students of the many student groups SPA has to offer. While some student groups are based on affinity or values, others simply try and bring together people of similar interests. These student groups can offer a safe haven from extreme intellectualizing on issues that matter deeply to people, and allow students to be the person they cannot be in class. Student groups can offer an academic extension or a connection with other students outside their normal social groups.

The expressive opportunity of student groups is not always fully capitalized on by SPA.

They provide a space to advocate for action and a place to meet new people. SPA offers dozens of interesting and diverse student groups that provide outlets for students to accomplish these things. Our school has options for every student, from quizbowl to acapella. It’s incredibly simple to start a new group.

The expressive opportunity of student groups is not always fully capitalized on by SPA. There are many students who don’t have an interest in these groups, instead using their Thursday X-period to do homework. Others choose to attend groups they don’t have any actual interest in, attending with the hope to appeal to colleges. Students should participate in groups they find real interest and dedication in which they can express themselves.

X-periods are meant to be used for these groups, homework can be done during a free period or during tutorial.

Spring is a time of transition throughout the school, including student group membership and leadership. When seniors leave, they leave empty seats in their groups that can be filled by anyone, regardless of previous attendance. Students not currently engaged in a student group should take advantage of this transition and try to find a group they enjoy. Student groups exist for students, so students should not be afraid to switch things up and sit in on different groups. No one should feel pressured to join a group because it looks good on college applications and no one should feel obligated to join a group with their friends. Instead, students should pick a group that interests them. X-periods are meant to be used for these groups, homework can be done during a free period or during tutorial.

As senior speech assemblies come to an end, and the class of 2016 leaves for their senior projects, there has never been a better time to try attending a new student group— or several. Now is the chance to find a group that has exactly what a student is looking for.  When looking back, it will be much more interesting to say that Thursday X-periods were spent delving into new, interesting subjects with like-minded people than to say it was just an extra 45 minutes of to do homework. In May, make a point of attending one or more Thursday group and find a new place for next school year.