Essex High School has a total of 29 clubs, each with a different focus. While some are well known, there are also smaller clubs that may slide under the radar of the general student population. 

Environmental Club

The Environmental Club allows environmentally conscious students to meet and discuss ways to help make their community more sustainable. 

The advisor for the Environmental Club is Erin Bessy, a life science teacher here at EHS. 

“This year, the Environmental Club is hoping to plant trees once we get proper permits,” Bessy said, “Installing a living moss wall in the school is also something we hope to accomplish.”

Students and staff involved in the club have been working on collecting recycling for a NexTrex recycling challenge. This is a school based program that collects plastic bags and film to be recycled.

“We are about 30 pounds away from completing the full 1000!” Bessy said.

The club meets on Thursdays at 7:45 A.M in room C120.

“The club currently attracts 5-10 students to weekly meetings,” Bessy said.

The Environmental Club is looking for new students who have fresh ideas, want to get involved with the surrounding environment, help with hands-on projects, and to better the community at EHS.

Fellowship of Christian Athletes 

The Fellowship of Christian Athletes club (FCA)  is a student-led non-denominational Christian ministry. No prior knowledge or background of faith is needed. It’s open to anyone. 

Tammy Gilbert, a math teacher at EHS, is the advisor of the FCA.

“Time is spent studying the Bible and how it applies to students’ lives, and connecting and encouraging one another in their faith in Jesus Christ,” Gilbert said.

The club meets on Tuesday at 7:55 A.M in room C102.

“The numbers fluctuate from week to week. I think mornings are rough for teenagers,” Gilbert said. “This is a safe, supportive environment where students can connect, grow, and be a light to others. There’s usually snacks too.”

The Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ aim is to bring students together, learn about their faith, and encourage one another.

Weightlifting Club

The Weightlifting club is a student program in which members work to increase their strength and conditioning to help them reach their various goals.

Adam Adorisio, the advisor for the weightlifting club, is a special educator. 

“All are welcome to come use the weight room,” Adoriso said. “I enjoy coaching all aspects of sports performance, whether it is athletic performance, weightlifting, powerlifting, or just bodybuilding.” 

Weightlifting Club meets in the weight room on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 6:45 to 7:45 A.M. Meetings have up to twelve participants at any one time. 

“We lift before school, which means it takes a strong-willed person to be able to get to bed on time and be ready to get here and push themselves,” Adorsio said. “But those that do it have a big jump on the day and have developed positive traits that will carry through to all aspects of life.” 

The club was originally created for students who wanted to be part of an Olympic weightlifting team, yet it has transformed into a program more customizable to students’ specific wants and needs. 

“I hope to find more students who are actually interested in competing in the sports of weightlifting or powerlifting,” Adorsio said.

Weightlifting club offers students a structured, personalized program that meets their fitness needs. It is open to all skill levels, and to people who are hoping for team competition, and students looking to challenge and better themselves. 

Social Justice Union

The Social Justice Union (SJU) is dedicated to making EHS more welcoming to students. It has a place for all students to create change in the community.

Porchea Tipton, the Equity Coordinator at EHS, is the advisor for the SJU. 

“We are continually working to make EWSD a safer, more welcoming, and accessible place for all students in an equitable way that ensures marginalized people are advocated for,” Tipton said.

SJU meets on Tuesdays from 7:20 to 7:55 A.M in room C234/5.

“Right now, around 12 to 15 students are active members of SJU, and more have been asking to join,” Tipton said. “In past years attendance was low, but I think attendance fluctuates depending on what is happening in our community, as well as the world around us.” 

Social Justice Union is a club that gives students opportunities and resources to create a more welcoming school environment, and to promote equity and social change within EWSD.