Model United Nations or debate? Orchestra or band? Quiz Bowl or Science Bowl? Every day, Jefferson’s halls are filled with students repping their favorite clubs. Along with connecting members, stylish merchandise can attract new attendees and raise awareness. From interstellar rockets to ancient Greek myths, student designers find creative ways to express their love for their clubs.
Astronomy Club 
“This year’s design is a quote, ‘ad astra per aspera,’ which means to the stars through difficulties. I found the quote through a summer program for astrophysics. The quote is timeless because [astronomy] is always trying to shoot for the stars and go further,” senior and Astronomy Club co-president Laura Guo said. “It’s not necessarily a uniform because we don’t really compete. It’s more for students to show that they’re part of Astronomy Club and to invite other students to join.”
Latin Club
“This year’s theme was about solving natural problems with ingenuity, so we drew ants as Roman soldiers because ants group together to carry big objects. There’s another myth on the back where a thread [goes] through a shell by an ant,” senior and Latin Club Artifex Saranya Gadwala said. “Whenever there’s a spirit day, we all wear [the shirt]. I know we’re called a cult, but we have that level of connection needed to be called one.”
Urban Dance Movement (UDM)
“The UDM logo on the back is like spray paint. I come from street dance, so I wanted to put a little piece of me on the hoodie. One part I really love that’s not so in theme is the left corner that says, ‘dance is our blood’ and ‘we live through style.’ It’s sentimental to us because we’ve been dancing for years,” junior and UDM iNite Coordinator Kevin Le said. “We wear the hoodie during iNite since we don’t have traditional clothing like [cultural] clubs. The hoodie is our way to represent us.”
Biology Olympiad
“I tried to incorporate biology’s vastness. I added a frog so I could zoom in to its eye and show how eyes work and to the stomach to show bacteria. The most interesting part is that the year 2023 is in chromosomes,” sophomore Eva Torrico said. “I enjoy art, but I don’t take any art classes, so designing the hoodie helped motivate me. The hoodie is student-designed and more personalized, so there’s a greater connection between club members and their merchandise.”
TJ Sends Love
“We made the merch to spread positivity throughout the school. On the back is a heart sending mail because we create cards for hospitals and senior homes. It’s really great seeing everyone spreading the love and maybe sparking a conversation,” senior and TJ Sends Love president Elaine Chu said. “With my experience selling sweatshirts and T-shirts in my small business, I can help clubs express their creativity and produce merch at a cheaper price.”
