At the beginning of the school year, seniors Lyle Barrocas and Joshua Gale decided to create a club focused on a delicacy they truly loved; chocolate. As CESJDS is typically full of academic clubs, the two decided to create a club with a more lighthearted atmosphere, hence the idea of Chocolate Club was born. With a spectacular turnout of nearly 35 students, on Wednesday, room 301 can be found buzzing with conversation about various chocolates from countries all over the world.

“We wanted to leave a legacy for the future grades and we both love chocolate so we thought ‘why not [a] chocolate club?’ ” Barrocas said. “Last year I heard a couple [of] seniors trying to create clubs based on their hobbies and what they love, and I thought I love chocolate …[and decided] next year I will do it,” Barrocas said.

As a tribute to the History classroom where this very idea was born, Barrocas and Gale decided to host club meetings in room 301. Continuing this dedication, the two decided to ask history teacher, Natalie Levitan.

“Two of my current students asked if I would like to be the advisor and since I love chocolate, it was an easy decision,” Levitan said. “We have only had one meeting, but I was impressed with the thought and time the club presidents put into the agenda for the meeting. While it was pretty loud, it was a lot of fun. “

At the meetings, Chocolate Club covers a wide variety of chocolate-related topics, ranging from varying flavors to different layers to types of chocolate manufacturing around the world.

Barrocas and Gale prepare presentations on the information and create an agenda for each meeting. Either Barrocas does the presentation and Gale buys the chocolate or vice versa. During their first meeting, they focused on chocolate from the U.S.: Hershey’s Chocolate.

A massive attraction to the club is the fact that Barrocas and Gale hand out chocolate at each meeting. Each week is a different type of chocolate from the country that they are learning about.

“It just seemed like such a fantastic club to join, and the people in charge just seemed so fun and nice,” senior Anouchka Ettedgui said. “I love the meetings, the energy is truly immaculate. They make it so fun and inclusive. Really a ten out of ten club.”