From watching foreign films to going to French restaurants, students in the Language Club experience different cultures outside of a classroom setting.

More than thirty years ago, WHS had a separate Spanish Club and French Club, but they have since been merged together into one. However, that doesn’t mean only Spanish-speaking and French-speaking students are allowed to join.

“Any student can join the club as long as [he or she is] interested in doing enrichment activities that have to do with languages,” club advisor Melissa Bryant said. “When we meet, we speak English. It’s all about enjoying the culture and exploring things that have to do with other languages.”

Because there are no longer designated club meetings during school hours, most of the club’s activities take place outside of school and are managed by the student officers.

“The students do everything in terms of fundraising or talking to administration. As the advisors, Señora Brown and I are just the support people who help them with permission, guidance and chaperoning, and we try to come up with ideas and keep our eyes open to what’s current in the local area or Boston,” Bryant said.

“As a president of the language club, I work with Señora Bryant and Señora Brown to plan and organize events,” co-president and junior Anna Hubbell said. “I’m always trying to recruit more students to be in the club because everything we do is very relaxed and fun, so we want to get a big group of kids.” Juniors Anna Downs, Julia Chinman and Kathleen Barrow are co-presidents as well.

For Hubbell, who joined the club her freshman year, the various activities that the group takes part in and the high interest amongst the students are the best parts of the club.

“My favorite part about the club is how students who might not normally interact can get to know each other by doing something as simple as eating dinner,” Hubbell said. “It’s a really fun group of people, and the events we have are always a lot of fun because everyone is engaged and enthusiastic about the club.”

One of the biggest events of the year for the Language Club is when the students go to a Haitian Daycare in Boston before break, bring Christmas presents to all the kids and play with them.

Most recently, the club went on its annual New York City trip this past weekend to experience Spanish culture. The group took various lessons, including ones that taught Hispanic dancing and how to make guacamole.

“It’s really fun seeing [students] get excited about doing events and knowing that they’ll enrich their lives,” Bryant said.