For over a decade, Cherry Hill East has hosted its annual Activities Fair, a tradition that marks the beginning of each new school year.

Introduced around 2014 under Mr. Davis’s leadership, the fair has since become a staple at East. Ms. Barr, who joined the staff in 2016, recalls the fair as always being a key event that helps set the tone for the year ahead.

The two-day Activities Fair takes place during lunch periods, offering students a chance to explore the courtyard and learn about the various clubs and activities available. Each club sets up a booth to showcase its mission, hoping to attract new members. Students from all grades are encouraged to browse, talk to club leaders, and sign up for activities they’re interested in.

“It’s a great opportunity for our freshmen to see what East has to offer, and for the rest of the students to try something new,” said Mrs. Sassinsky, the current Activities Director.

For incoming freshmen, the fair is a perfect way to get a glimpse of all the school’s offerings and get involved within their new community. For upperclassmen, it serves as a chance to deepen their involvement in clubs that spark their interest or even represent their own clubs to prospective members.

“The Activities Fair opened me up to new opportunities within the school and helped me discover passions I never thought I had, like my interest in psychology,” said Jeston Cai (’27). But what happens behind the scenes to make this event possible?

The Activities Director and team started preparing the year before to coordinate over one hundred clubs at East and ensure everything was ready for the fair.

“It’s challenging because new students are eager to learn about activities as soon as they enter the building. On top of that, we receive new club submissions constantly, so I’m always editing and updating the club list whenever a new one is approved,” explained Barr.

To address these challenges, the activities team has restructured the club renewal process. Clubs now have to submit a “Club Intent to Renew” form in May of the previous school year, outlining their plans for the future, including newly elected officers and advisors. Additionally, clubs are now required to hold meetings at least once a month and host a minimum of three activities per year to remain active.

“The clubs that submitted their renewal forms in May were the ones that participated in this year’s Activities Fair,”  Barr added.

Once again, the East Activities Fair was a success, with over 90 clubs participating across two days, boosting student engagement and helping many discover new interests.