Club Spotlights
There are more than 130 active student clubs and organizations at Carthage, and they all provide great ways for students to form friendships, get involved in issues they’re passionate about, or simply have fun. And new orgs are created every semester.
Here are 11 unique clubs, new and old, worth a look:
1. 1-G — First Generation Club
The mission of the First Generation club is to develop a sense of community and camaraderie between students who are first-generation college students navigating college life. It is a student-led organization dedicated to helping not only students who are the first in their family to go to college but also students who are Undocumented, DACA, International, and all people who identify with any aspect of the first-generation experience. At meetings, the club spends time getting to know one another, discusses volunteer opportunities in our community, and provides a weekly scholarship opportunity that members can explore.
“My favorite memory of the organization was attending the First In the Family pre-orientation my freshman year,” said 1-G club member Jillian Shorten ’23. “The community of first-generation students is very welcoming and it made me want to continue involvement in 1-G!”
Learn more about the First Generation Club
Learn more about being a first-gen student at Carthage
2. WAVE Radio
The WAVE is a student-run radio station at Carthage. Its members participate in marketing and advertisement, outreaching to local musicians, and training in on-air broadcasting. WAVE members attend conferences in New York City and Chicago, speak on panels, and DJ for multiple Carthage events. Meetings consist of brainstorming podcasts, talk shows, and music events, as well as scheduling radio hours and teaching the mechanics behind online radio. WAVE Radio’s main purpose is to provide a platform for student voices to be heard, as well as support local musicians.
“Going to the IBS (International Broadcasting System) Conference in New York has been my favorite memory with the club,” said Sophie Shulman ’23. “At the conference, there were dozens of musicians, talk show hosts, and radio station managers to talk to and hear from, not to mention the fact that we were in New York for an entire weekend!”
3. Black Student Union
“The Black Student Union is a diversity, equity, and inclusion organization that is committed to empowering and uplifting the voices and experiences of Black students on campus. The club is focuses on building community and releasing stress through fun events and by championing new cultural experiences.
“The club has done a ton of fun events such as collaborating with the Black Student Union at UW-Parkside to go roller skating, hosting food events like the Taste of Africa, and focusing on expressing our creativity through our Halloween Sip & Paint,” said Asmau Diallo ’21.
Learn more about Black Student Union
4. Carthage Club Hockey
For students looking to get active and participate in sports in an alternative way on campus, Carthage Club Hockey may be the answer. The club is a co-ed team that accepts anyone at any level of experience in ice hockey. Players wear full gear and participate at the second-highest level in a Kenosha Adult League! Plus, Carthage Club Hockey has the longest season out of all sports at Carthage, making it a fun way to exercise for most of the school year.
“We have a great time being able to meet new people that join the club, and by the end of our season we are all very close and look forward to playing every game as a team!” said Ben Dusza ’21. “You don’t need to have a hockey flow to play, but being able to give it your all and have a blast is a must!”
Learn more about Carthage Club Hockey
5. Carthage United to Rescue Earth
Carthage United to Rescue Earth, or CURE club, promotes sustainability and eco-friendly practices within the community and serves to educate individuals on the importance of reducing its carbon footprint. In the past, the club has organized beach clean-ups, nature trail clean-ups, made reusable shopping bags out of old clothing, and given informative presentations on composting, zero-waste living, and plant-based diets. Meetings are open to all and include spaces for opinions and ideas from anyone who wishes to share!
“Speaking personally, each meeting brings so much enthusiasm and passion for the environment that it’s impossible not to have a great time,” said Alexis Menendez ’23. “We do so much bonding and sharing with one another that we have such a great support system to tackle the big issues in our community.”
6. Circle K International
Circle K is an international organization dedicated to providing service, leadership, and fellowship opportunities. In the collegiate branch of the Kiwanis International family, CKI members leave college with real-life networking and advocating skills, and service leadership. At meetings, you’ll do group bonding activities, offer upcoming service opportunities, and do smaller in-service projects. Circle K is always open to new ideas and service opportunities to better serve the Carthage campus and Kenosha area.
“We are always looking for new members with enthusiasm and new ideas for providing services to others,” said club president Shannon Gegare ’22. “Some of my favorite events that we do include volunteering annually at the Wisconsin marathon that takes place here in Kenosha, holding frequent beach clean-ups, and attending district-wide events and conferences.”
Meeting Times: 7:30 p.m. Thursdays on Zoom
Learn more about Circle K International
7. Enactus
Enactus is an international non-profit organization that empowers businesses and people in the community to create a better, more sustainable world. At Enactus, students take skills learned in the classroom and apply them to real-world problems. Every spring, Enactus competes at the national competition where the team presents its projects to a panel of business leaders and professionals. Carthage’s Enactus placed third in their division at the 2018 National Exposition. There are more than 200 partner companies that sponsor Enactus and provide networking opportunities for Enactus students. The club welcomes all majors of any discipline.
“With a head for business and a heart for the world, we live our values of integrity, passion, innovation, and collaboration,” said club president Paige Hollendonner ’21. “Enactus is a great way to get involved in the community, practice business and communications skills, and participate in networking activities.”
Meeting Times: Noon on Wednesdays in Clausen Center 111
8. Ultimate Frisbee Club — Blitz
Were you a high school athlete who didn’t continue competing in college? Maybe you’ve never played a sport before and you’re looking to expand your horizons! Ultimate Frisbee is a growing international sport with a dedicated community and plenty of room to become the above-average athlete you know you can be. Blitz is a co-ed club for the USA Ultimate organization, and competition is held up to a national level depending on how far you’re willing to take it. Whether you’re looking for a way to stay active, looking for competition, or just looking for a new hobby, joining Blitz is the way to do it all!
Blitz also has a strong spirit for frisbee golf! Email the Blitz team at carthageblitz@gmail.com if you’re interested in some weekend tossing.
Meeting Times: 4 p.m.-6 p.m. Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays in the TARC
Learn more about the Blitz Ultimate Frisbee Club
9. Merely Players Improv Comedy
For students looking to break out of their comfort zones or interested in the improv side of comedy, the Merely Players are the group for you! Auditions are at the start of every semester and practices focus on building performance, comedy, and improvisational skills. They are one of the most acclaimed improv groups in Wisconsin and Carthage’s 2020 Student Organization of the year, and they’d love for you to join in the fun!
“Along with offering free performances and open workshops, Merely Improv competes at the annual College Improv Tournament,” says co-president Mia Morton ’21. “We also host our own events including the Dogneck Improv Mixer (a collaborative improv festival and food drive) and Carthival (an end of the year, campus-wide variety show).”
Meeting Times: 9 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays in Woh’s Place
Learn more about Merely Players
10. Carthage Japanese Club
Carthage Japanese Club is the official club of the Carthage Japanese Department, but being knowledgeable in the Japanese language is not a requirement! Anyone who is interested in Japanese culture, whether it be pop culture or traditional culture, is welcome and encouraged to join. Meetings consist of making traditional Japanese arts, crafts, cooking, playing games, and sharing the love of Japanese culture.
“At Japanese Club, we take a deep dive into anything and everything related to Japanese culture,” says club president Mallory Jenkins ’21. “We have many fun annual traditions that have been going on since the club was founded like a watermelon smashing event at the beginning of the year and a trip once a year to the Japanese marketplace known as Mitsuwa near Chicago.”
Meeting Times: 4:30-5:30 p.m. Wednesdays on Zoom
Learn more about the Carthage Japanese Club
11. DRAFT (Graphic Design Club)
The graphic design club on campus, known as DRAFT, offers students interested in design at any level to assist in the production of posters, logos, and T-shirt designs for a wide variety of clients. With an annual art show and field trips throughout the school year, DRAFT provides its members with the ability to explore their interests or immerse themselves in graphic design outside of class. For graphic design majors, the organization also serves as a great way to build up a portfolio and practice skills.
Meeting Times: 5 p.m. Tuesdays in the Johnson Arts Center