Schoolcraft High School Student Showcases Competitive Spirit
In Schoolcraft, Michigan, ninth-grader Zak Stultz has been hitting all the right notes on his trombone. As the new school year kicks off, Zak is thrilled about playing in his high school’s marching band.
“It’s going to be pretty good. I’m a decent trombone player”, Zak exclaimed when discussing his excitement for the upcoming school year. But playing the trombone is not Zak’s only passion.
He’s also part of the Tabletop Club, a school organization where students gather for board games, card games, and role-playing games such as Dungeons & Dragons. This club allows Zak’s competitive spirit to shine.
Zak adds, “If you’re in a game of Uno and you hit me with four Draw Fours in a row, I might flip the table over”, demonstrating his spirited and playful side.
Karl Schook, the teacher who oversees the Tabletop Club, believes that it provides a suitable outlet for students. He expresses concern that many schools don’t offer enough opportunities for creativity, collaboration, and competition outside of athletics.
Every meeting of the Tabletop Club attracts around 15 students. It might not seem like a big number, but when compared to the size of some sports teams, it’s quite impressive.
Karl also highlights the club’s significant impact on students’ mental health, saying, “To have this opportunity can save them a lot of distress and a lot of alienation and loneliness. They can find community. They can find friends. They can make lifelong connections.”
Zak adds, “It gets me closer to my friends that I already have. And it could introduce me to friends that I have yet to meet.”
This story is a testament to the powerful connections that hobbies and similar interests can create among high school students. Zak is more than just a student with a competitive spirit; he is a student actively seeking and creating community through shared interests and activities.
Author: STAFF HERE NORTHVILLE WRITER
NORTHVILLE STAFF WRITER The NORTHVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENorthville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Northville, Wayne County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Summer Concert Series, Tunes on Tuesday, and the Northville Farmers Market. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Northville Chamber of Commerce and Northville Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in automotive, software, and retail that power the local economy such as Gentherm, Reliable Software, and Attendance on Demand. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HEREGrandRapids.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
