Pictured: Simmons Middle School students Tony Abeyta, front left, and Hunter Gutierrez, front right, look through their cards during a recent meeting of the SMS Trading Card Club.
ABERDEEN, S.D. – Every Thursday afternoon, battles are waged on the second floor of Simmons Middle School—all in good fun, of course, at the weekly meeting of the Trading Card Club.
The club meets each week after school to compete in the role-playing games Dungeons and Dragons, Pokémon, and Yu-Gi-Oh.
This is the third year for the Trading Card Club, said SMS Language Arts Teacher Megan Wollman, the club’s advisor and an avid Pokémon fan. Wollman said right after pandemic restrictions were lifted, a couple of students asked if she would advise a card club. Principal Murley was very supportive, she said, and the club received funds to purchase decks of cards.
The group has been going strong ever since, with around 15-20 students attending each week.
“Everybody’s welcome, whenever they can come,” Wollman said. “We have a pretty strong group of regulars.”
A variety of students attend, and they often form new friendships through involvement in the club. Some club members are active in other activities such as sports and attend during their off-season. For other students, the club provides a chance to be involved at school when they otherwise might not be.
Wollman said she noticed at yearbook picture time that some students were very excited—it was the first time they got to be part of a group yearbook picture.
She has also seen some kids who are quiet in class come out of their shell at Trading Card Club.
“I think it’s kind of a good club for anybody,” she said.
Eighth-grader Hunter Gutierrez has been attending Trading Card Club for about a month.
“I thought this club was very awesome because, well, Pokémon,” Hunter said with a smile. “Mrs. Wollman did a good job setting it up.”
The next meeting for the SMS Trading Card Club will be 3:15-4:15 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26. All Simmons students are welcome.
About the Aberdeen Public School District
The Aberdeen Public School District provides a comprehensive educational program to approximately 4,200 students in grades K-12, with a mission of empowering all students to succeed in a changing world. Our students receive the knowledge and skills necessary to reach their potential in a global community through high expectations of academic achievement; diverse educational opportunities; and community involvement in a safe, supportive environment. Learn more at aberdeen.k12.sd.us.