On Monday, Sept. 11, French Club held its first general meeting after school in Madame Kelly Harwicks’s room. Students flocked to the F-Wing to learn what French Club has to offer, participate in a scavenger hunt, and enjoy a pain au chocolat. 

“[My favorite part of today’s meeting] was probably the food,” new member Chaaya Annamreddy ‘27 said. “[I’m excited to learn] more about how French culture works.”

The meeting began with introductions from the officers: President Shivani Kondubhatla, Vice President Camila Carillo, Treasurer Harrison Vaughn, and Secretary Sahiti Oruganti. The officers introduced members to what they can expect to do in French Club, as well as goals for the rest of the year.

“We have a lot of goals this year to make [French Club] more active in our communities,” Kondubhatla said. “We really [want] to integrate volunteering. There are so many volunteering organizations that are French in Austin, so why not partner up with them?”

The next activity on the docket was a scavenger hunt race. Members split into small groups and searched the F-Wing for pictures of famous French monuments. After finding each photo, one member of the group had to take a selfie of the group with the monument. The first group to find all ten pictures won.

“[My favorite part of French club so far is that] it’s so interactive,” member Preethi Ram ‘25 said. “I [loved] the scavenger hunt.”

Bringing the meeting to a close, members convened in Madame Harwick’s room to enjoy pain au chocolate and lemonade and spend time socializing. 

“[I love] the comradery [of French Club], and seeing the officers in action,” club sponsor Madame Harwick said. “It’s nice to have them involved, and see everyone excited about it.”

The turnout and enthusiasm displayed at the meeting were exciting for French Club’s leaders, as it was the most successful meeting the club had hosted in a few years. 

“We really wanted members to show up because we think this is such an important club at Westwood, just because French culture is so important,” Kondubhatla said. “[There is] the French Honor Society, but it’s for people who are in French. We want [the club] to be open for people who are interested in learning about French, but [who aren’t necessarily in French class]. 

Looking to the future, the French club is optimistic for the rest of the year.  

“When you’re the president, you have this whole new level of creativity and it’s like, what can I do with this club,” Kondubhatla said. “It’s exciting that I have the creativity to try out new things with French club and be a leader within it.”

The French Club meets on the last Monday of every month at 8:30 a.m. in room F1108. Their next meeting will be Oct. 30th.