“To be, or not to be: that is the question”. In the past, this question was only asked in English classes throughout WA. Yet with the Shakespeare Club making its first appearance this year at the high school, students have the opportunity to dive deeper into the world of “The Bard”.

Led by club adviser Meghan McCarthy and club leader Kiersten O’Connell, the recently developed club strives to immerse students in Shakespearean literature in an intriguing and enjoyable way.

“The vision of the Shakespeare Club is to expose students to the fun side of Shakespeare and to enjoy, understand, and appreciate it outside of English class,” O’Connell said.

The idea of forming the Shakespeare Club originated from O’Connell and her sister, Corleigh. The two share a love for Shakespeare, and mutually agreed that bringing a Shakespeare Club to WA was a perfect idea.

“Sometime around the beginning of my sophomore year, we simultaneously thought of forming the club for students at WA. And now here we are,” O’Connell said. 

Shakespeare is a focal point in several English classes, whether it be with Romeo and Juliet or Julius Caesar. While the brilliant style of writing appeals to many kids, there is still a population of students who sigh at the mention of reading Shakespeare’s work. This is a reality that the Shakespeare Club is looking to change at WA.

“Many students do not enjoy writing essays and doing assignments, so English class can sometimes ruin the excitement of Shakespeare,” O’Connell said. “If the club can change students’ attitudes, they will enjoy English class more.”

With O’Connell leading the way, the Shakespeare Club meets every other Wednesday in room 259 at 2:00 pm, introducing a fun and collaborative perspective on all things Shakespeare

“I am excited about meeting people that already find Shakespeare exciting,” O’Connell said. “This is an opportunity for students to connect with others that share the same interests and passions.”