Arcadia High School (AHS) hosted its Spring Preview and Open House on Apr. 3 from 4:00-6:30 p.m. The event is an annual tradition made to welcome the community and students from surrounding areas to AHS, with middle schoolers encouraged to attend and learn more about the school’s student clubs, academic and sports teams, and parent organizations.
Despite the initial rain and brief hailing, AHS staff and event coordinators quickly had everyone adjusted. Booths were moved into the main hallway, allowing the event to continue on smoothly. Outside, food trucks offered a variety of snacks and drinks that added to the lively atmosphere. Crowds of families walked through campus, greeted by club members and enthusiastic staff ready to answer any questions they had. Pep Squad, as well as Marching Band, held performances in the Quad, drawing in spectators and showcasing school spirit.
Representatives from a wide range of programs—including The Quill, Orchestra, Track & Field, Swim, and Golf teams—were present to talk with prospective students and highlight the wide variety of opportunities available to them on campus. Parents could also meet with members of PTSA, and other parent-run organizations, gaining insight into how they could support their students’ journey at AHS.
Besides academic and athletic programs, AHS is also the home to over 70+ clubs, ranging from cultural groups like the Korean Culture Appreciation Club and Hindu YUVA to academic teams like Mock Trial and Model UN. Booths were filled with students sharing their experiences and encouraging incoming students to gauge and explore what they were interested in.
One such club is the Coding Club, which introduces students to programming through real-world applications and projects.
“I think people should join [the Coding Club] because coding is a really useful tool. It improves your problem-solving and opens up a lot of opportunities,” says sophomore Ethan Hsiao, secretary of the Coding Club.
When asked about what the club has done this year, he explained, “We’ve explored summer programs, learned how to make websites, and worked with electrical circuits. We also introduced the basics of programming through P5.js, which is great for beginners.”
Hsiao also noted the success of the evening. “It was a really good turnout. We got over 40 sign-ups this time.”
Senior Nathan Chang, co-president of the Sports Medicine Club, shared a similar sentiment.
“Students should join Sports Medicine Club because it’s a great opportunity to get into the medical field and build on existing skills,” he said. “We offer internships with local physical therapy clinics, free CPR certifications, and cover a lot of hands-on skills during club meetings that allow students to explore their interests.”
Chang added, “I’d say today’s turnout has been great. We’ve had quite a few sign-ups, and it’s been productive so far. We’re looking forward to another great year.”
Whether families came to explore clubs, say hello to friends and family, or simply get a feel for life in high school, this year’s Spring Preview gave them a chance to do just that. Even with unpredictable weather, AHS made sure the evening remained warm, welcoming, and full of Apache spirit.
