Charcuterie Board Club Builds Stronger Relationships One Bite at a Time
At the Northwood at Woodward Charcuterie Board Club, students are placing the perfect cheese, cracker and meat pairings while also building meaningful connections.
"We decided it would be a nice place for people to come in and create memories with each other," said Stephanie Gonzalez, the club's coordinator and a senior at Northwood at Woodward. "High school is such a time-consuming and stressful part of people's lives, and we just wanted to bring in some fresh air."
Students in the club create charcuterie boards, each with a unique theme, for their peers to enjoy while learning about the spreads.
The club, originally envisioned by the students as a cheese club, was created with the goal of providing an opportunity to share food with their peers. Charcuterie club president and senior Ivan Estrada said he recognized the sense of community that was developing through the creation of the boards and events the club hosted.
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Estrada said that speaking with several students and seeing the growing interest in the club’s events, led to the creation of larger, more inclusive charcuterie boards that accommodated diverse dietary needs.
"It helped us expand those ideas, expand those connections, and we got to meet even more people," said Estrada. "I know within the past year, I've met a lot of people from all different walks of life that are really inspiring."
A major highlight is seeing students' reactions to the boards, said Maya Mendez, senior and vice president of the club.
"It's the satisfaction of seeing their faces when they see our boards that we took the time to make the day prior," said Mendez. "And, you know, having them compliment it—it means a lot."
Estrada expressed hope for greater community involvement in the club's future, envisioning charcuterie events that bring together local community members, leaders and government representatives.
"Our club is about community and building connections," said Punch Kladkdemthong, senior and treasurer of the club. "It also builds stronger connections and bonds between friends when you work together and collaborate."
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