By Janet Cruz

Do you have a favorite table top board game, comic book  or video game?  Are you a collector? If you are a  student there may be a club where gaming enthusiasts get together at your local havasu school.

Mohave Community College

The old Bighorn Decoders Club at Mohave Community College  in Lake Havasu City has had a makeover. The club has evolved into a new club called the “The Bighorn Nerd Herd.” The club with it’s new advisor Diana Heer, welcomes all kinds of gaming fans.

“While  the previous computer club  will always hold a special place in our hearts, it was time to evolve the decoders club into something more and therefore, The Bighorn Nerd Herd was born. The previous club was more focused on the computer aspect whereas we have evolved the Nerd Herd to welcome nerds of all kinds,” Heer said.

The Bighorn Nerd Herd Club Officers Austin Covington,  Advisor Diana Heer and President Ashley Teodosio at Mohave Community College / Submitted Photo

The Bighorn Nerd Herd club consists of a group of people who enjoy anything from video games and movies to table-top games and comic books. There are about 15 members who are students enrolled at Mohave Community College and staff at the college.

The club holds game nights at least once per semester but as the club grows,  Heer is  aiming to do them more often. For now, Heer and club members enjoy the benefits of the new club.

“My favorite part about the Nerd Herd is seeing students come out of their shell and really get involved in our events and meetings,” said Heer. “I feel that the club gives us nerds a safe space to be ourselves and collaborate with one another.”

MCC Bighorn Nerd Herd Club Gaming Night / Submitted Photo

The club invites all people of different varieties; typical video game or computer nerd, but also  members who are more into anime, table-top games, movies, music or comics.

“As a nerd myself, I appreciate having somewhere to fit in and indulge in our nerdy activities,” Heer said.

The Nerd Herd Club meets twice a month for regular meetings. The club also has a goal to have weekly nerd gatherings to give students time to interact with one another outside of the meeting setting and also give them something to look forward to outside of class.

“We are very fortunate to have great staff and faculty club advisors to help students achieve their civic engagement goals,” says Dr. Maria Ayon Dean of Student and Community Engagement at Mohave Community College -Lake Havasu Campus.

Lake Havasu High School

Another club providing a fun space for gaming enthusiasts is the Gaming Club at Lake Havasu High School. The club also consists of students who share their love for all types of games.

It is led by advisor Allison Hendrikson and Gaming Club co-president and founder, Lake Havasu student Michael Robles, and co-president Jack Frame.

Gamer Club students pose for a photo after school Wednesday night. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

Previously, the gaming club was discontinued until biology instructor Hendrikson stepped in as it’s newest advisor and brought the club back last year.

“Any student that wants to belong to a group to play games and fun with others is welcome,” Hendrikson said. “We are really about having anyone come together and about acceptance to all.”

“This club is very immersive, you can bring your card games, board games, members can bring their own items to the meeting too instead of waiting for someone to be done with an item,” Robles said.

The club has opportunities for board games, player vs player video games and a chance to just mingle with other like-minded members in the club and provides a safe fun place after school to hang out.

LHHS students play card games at the gamer club after school. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

“You get to meet new people  who have similar interests. it’s a great place to build friendships,” said Alex Nelson, Sophomore at Lake Havasu High School and club member.

The club meets Wednesdays, 3-4 p.m., and is open to Lake Havasu High School Students only.

“Our members find that this is a new group they like, or find a new niche here,” Robles said.

Thunderbolt Middle School

The Thunderbolt Dungeons and Dragons Club is an up incoming club open to Thunderbolt Middle School students and is looking for members.

The club is led by advisor Joe Casey and President Liam Helart.

Dungeons and Dragons is a game that is set as an open-ended role-playing game where players sit around a tabletop and usually one player takes on the role of a Dungeon Master, while other players or participants  control a single character, representing an individual in a made up setting.

“Its a lot of fun. I first started to read about it before the club,” said Thunderbolt student and president Liam Helart.

For more information on these clubs, students may contact their school offices or advisors at their campus.

LHHS students play cards at the gamer club after school. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

MCC Bighorn Nerd Herd Club Gaming Night / Submitted Photo

Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

LHHS students play video games on a big screen together during Gamer Club after school. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

LHHS students play a board game during Gamer Club after school. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

LHHS students play games on their phones during Gamer Club after school. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

Jillian Danielson/RiverScene