WASHBURN CLUBS FIVE you should know about

BY HAYDEN KALP & CHRISTINA NOLAND

The Dungeons & Dragons Club

The Dungeons & Dragons club began at Washburn in the fall of 2018 by Catherine Tew, graduate student. Fans of Netflix’s “Stranger Things” might recognize the game from its latest series. The D&D club has a large community of more than 50 active members. While organization fees are $10 a year, the entertainment created by the club’s talented game masters allow one’s imagination to explore realms that would otherwise be impossible to reach.

“Our club is an interactive storytelling community,” said Tew. “It’s really nice to break away from reality and dive right into your character and it allows me to become more social and meet other people.”

Scan the QR code to learn more about student orgs, how to join them and how to make your own!

Washburn University Annual Pageants

The pageant club formed recently in August 2022 and gives Washburn students the option to experience the pageant world. Formed by Sherionka Simeon, freshman kinesiology major, the club helps with boosting confidence, learning how to do pageantry walking, and speaking in front of large audiences. You have to be a Washburn student to join, as is the case with all student organizations, but there are no limits placed on academic year, gender or major. Any Washburn student can join.

“I have experience in the pageantry world,” said Simeon, president of the pageant club. “I wanted to give that back to students because everyone was asking questions about what it’s like to be a pageant queen.”

Instagram: @washburndungeonsanddragons

Discord: discord.gg/gVQ4gRv5bw

Nerf Organization at Washburn

If you’re looking to have some nostalgic fun, this is the club for you. NOW meets every other week at the Student Recreation Center on campus. Blasters are provided but you are encouraged to bring your own as long as the muzzle velocity of the darts does not exceed 100 feet per second. There are no fees required to join the organization.

“Our goal is to run around and have fun and go back to feeling like a 12-year-old for a few hours. It’s a healthy way to relieve stress, and a fun way to get moving,” said David Craft, sophomore mass media major and founder of NOW.

Discord: discord.gg/DfATWDr5mq

Women in STEM

Women in STEM is an organization co-founded by Sera Todwong, senior biology major, and Annie Berger, senior biology major. The purpose of the organization is to create a supportive environment for women in the field. Women in STEM accept all genders and majors and have multiple activity events per month.

“Women are underrepresented in the STEM industry. We need more people to bridge that gender gap, so that’s why we started Women in STEM,” said Todwong.

WU Swifties

Calling all Taylor Swift fans: We have a club for you!

WU Swifties is a brand new club co-founded by Jayce Wessel, senior social work major, and Vanessa GuzmánSlater, junior communications major. WU Swifties strive to create an inclusive space for all people that are fans of Taylor Swift. If you want to talk about Midnights or bond over lyrics to certain Swift songs, this club will help you find the community you’ve always dreamed about.

“Taylor Swift’s music is really diverse, and there is something for everyone. We want to share that excitement and joy with others,” said Wessel.