Northwestern College has many clubs across campus. Some have made their mark and been around for a while, such as the Business Club, the Red Ed Club, the Black V, or I-club. But some are in their first or second year, such as Dance Marathon, Swing Dance/ Line Dance Club, or Chess club. Last year, Northwestern was introduced to a new club, The Raider Baker Club. This club creates a space where NW students can come and enjoy the hobby of baking here on campus.
Jasmine Lux, a senior at NW and the president of the Raider Baker Club (RBC), started this club last year from her love of baking. Lux talked to other students who also loved baking, but did not have the tools or ingredients to do it often or at all. Lux also enjoys events and planning them, so she created a club for bakers, renamed this year to the Raider Baker Club. There will be different events throughout the year, some for club members and some for the community so everyone can enjoy some sweet treats. Any NW student who is currently enrolled in the college, so students on campus and commuters are all welcome!
As for getting involved there are two ways: membership and community. Member nights are for students that are part of the club itself. These nights will exclusively contain more hands-on baking activities. Membership involves baking activities that include more scratch-to-finish treats. Examples of these delicious treats include banana bread, cinnamon roll bites, and much more. One perk of being a member of the club is the free treats. At community events, community members will have to pay a couple dollars for their treats, but members will get the treats free of charge since they helped make them and covered the cost of the membership fee when joining the club. If students wish to be involved in membership, all they need to do is contact Jasmine Lux and voice their wish to join.
An example of the Raider Baking Club’s community nights is the Sugar Cookie Night, where participants ice and sprinkle their own cookies, using cookies made and supplies provided by the club. There will be announcements coming out in emails, campus announcements, flyers, and even the social media page.
Some students that were in the club last year were asked what they enjoyed about it and what they were looking forward to. One member stated that they enjoyed taking a break from schoolwork and indulging in one of her favorite hobbies. Two of her favorite events from last year were the Edible Cookie Dough night and the Frosting Sugar Cookie night. As a member, she got to help make the dough, roll it out, cut out the different shapes, and bake them in the oven. She also enjoyed the event itself when she got a chance to decorate her own cookies. She is happy to be a part of the club again this year and is looking forward to what treats the club will be baking this year. A community member who attended a community event said that it was fun because it was a chance to decompress and enjoy some yummy treats. She enjoyed the chance to decorate the treats herself with all the different frostings and sprinkles, and she got to take many cute photos from the event.
When asking Lux what she is most looking forward to this year, she said that she is excited for the community and member events to come. “The variety of treats makes me hopeful that people will enjoy participating in the community events” Lux said. The RBC is very excited to go into their second year, and with the word spreading as time goes on, there will be more chances for people to be involved. There is also talk about holding a Raider Baker fundraiser with t-shirts, sweatshirts, and possibly other apparel and a possibility of partnering with other NW clubs.
BAKING CLUB AT WORK MAKING CAKE POPS.
