New pingpong club at Maine East

The Maine Township High School District 207 board has given the green light for the formal creation of a new pingpong club at Maine East High School — a sign of the growing diversity at the school.

For the past two years, Robert Brown, a Maine West High School English teacher, has run the after-school pingpong club at East.

Brown, who serves as the club’s sponsor, requested the school board authorize a student activity account for the club in order for members to be able to raise funds, officials said.

The club has been involved in friendly competitions and tournaments with other schools. They hope to hold competitive singles and doubles tournaments in the future. Club members may also organize a service project to help a local charity, and conduct field trips to pingpong events, officials said.

The school board gave its authorization for club members to begin fundraising on the condition that a formal charter for the club is created and presented to the board.

The pingpong club is open to students at every skill level, from beginners to experts. Club dues will be $3 per student, which will go toward the purchase of supplies and equipment.