North's Hidden Gems

While most students at North High School are engrossed in their studies, academics are not the only opportunities children have access to here. Students can always join one of the many clubs at our school, whether it’s B.S.U. or S.T.O.P., or something else that interests them (acronym optional). One of the lesser-known clubs at Valley Stream North is the Weightlifting Club. Recently, I have started to attend their meetings and have found a welcoming community and an opportunity to improve my strength and health.

The Weightlifting Club at VSN meets every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday in the weight room (which has been moved to the wrestling room) from 2:45 to 3:30. Despite its name, the Weightlifting Club is not just for lifting weights, but for anyone who wants a place to work out after school without having to commit to joining a sport for the semester. When I first started going in early December, I was nervous as I was not used to working out using the equipment there, and I had never been in that “gym environment” outside of Phys. Ed. But, after just one session, I had already started feeling more comfortable with working out on the machines and accepting help when it came to correcting my form and technique.

While I was there, I had the opportunity to interview Coach Dias, the club’s advisor, and ask him some questions about the club and its community:

Who is welcome to join the club?

Dias: Everyone is welcome. There are no restrictions.

What characteristics and activities do the club promote?

Dias: It’s a fitness and weightlifting club, so it promotes fitness, people lifting weights to get stronger for either a sport or just to look better and feel better.

Do you enjoy being the club’s advisor?

Dias: I think, for the most part, there’s a nice comradery among all the people that come here, it’s a good group. Everyone helps each other. Obviously, I tried to help people with how they’re doing their exercises, but it really is a nice group.

What would you say to someone who is hesitant or debating joining?

Dias: Well, if you’re hesitant or debating whether to join because you feel self-conscious, it’s a very good group. Everyone helps each other; there’s nobody here that’s super-advanced to where you would feel inferior. So, I think everyone should give it a chance. You’re going to feel better, you’re going to look better, and you’re going to have more confidence in everything else that you do.

The Weightlifting Club is one of North’s hidden gems, a part of the school that I am glad to have discovered. Even if you’re only slightly interested, consider visiting and see if it is a community right for you.