Clubs Expand Student Opportunities at Piner

On most Fridays, Piner Middle School English teacher Riede Faires puts away the literature and composition books in his classroom and reaches for something little different: a guitar. He’s not alone, as other students join him and take out more guitars, and they all sit around a chair with a bowl of guitar picks.

After a few experimental strums, Faires starts leading the group through chord progressions. This is a regular meeting of the Guitar Club, one of many clubs Piner students can join.

Clubs range from UIL Academics teams for Science and Social Studies to more specialized opportunities like the Astronomy Club, Piano Club or the “Bizz with Rizz” Club, which is dedicated to entrepreneurship and regularly invites community speakers. On most Fridays, students spend 30 minutes in their clubs during advisory time, which is used for study hall or tutoring on the other days of the week.

Though Faires doesn’t see the Guitar Club members that often, he’s impressed by the growth he’s seen. 

“Guitar is all about players taking a journey and teaching themselves,” Fairies said. “To do that, my kids have learned how to play some of their basic major and minor chords to be able to learn a wide range of popular songs.”

In math teacher Sharon Bledsoe’s Gardening Club, members are learning about soil types and pH balancing as well as the plants that prefer alkaline or acidic soils. They cultivate plants in the campus’ central garden area and have even harvested a few.

“Students have practiced teamwork, developed an appreciation for the joys and discomforts of horticulture, and experienced the joy of growing and harvesting plants,” Bledsoe said. “They have also used math for planting, growing seasons, amendment ratios, nutrition and recipes.”

There’s also an Auto Mechanics Club, which explores how different vehicles work. Special education teacher and club sponsor Kenneth Van Horn tries to find different items or parts for club demonstrations.

“Some students are able to get out of their shell and have conversations when they don't normally,” Van Horn said. “Students are just excited to be a part of a group with a common interest.”

Parent and community support has been vital to the success of all the clubs, which have benefitted from donations, guest speakers and other volunteers. That support enhances student learning and adds to the depth of experience each club can offer, which sponsors work tirelessly to make meaningful and impactful for students.