In a pressure-cooker environment like the one at DV, some students have turned to unconventional hobbies as a way to decompress outside of academics. With new clubs emerging every school year, uncommon passions shine across the general body.

Enzo Wu, a junior at DVHS, is currently a BART speedrun world record holder.

Wu was first introduced to public transportation as a middle school student, when his parents were unable to drop him off to Windermere Ranch Middle School. As a solution, Wu’s parents signed him up to be a part of the Contra Costa County Connection (CCCTA) program, which at the time was offering a promotion allowing students to travel for free. At the time, Wu was already interested in motor vehicles, but riding the CCCTA inspired his growing passion for transportation.

When reflecting on how his interest has affected his life, Wu explained that “a lot of people see me as mature, and I’d actually attribute that to public transportation”

Public transportation opened up a realm of opportunity for Wu, connecting him with different communities online while helping him grow his own community here at DV. As president of the Public Transportation and Infrastructure Club, Wu is able to share his love for the subject with like-minded peers. Reflecting on how his club was received by the student population, Wu explained that “the community at Dougherty received it pretty well. [At club day,] there were a lot of people who were actually passionate about transportation. Even a lot of my friends, or acquaintances who I didn’t actually necessarily realize were interested in public transportation or sectors similar to there, showed a lot of interest.”

Junior Ethan Yu has also found a similar community through the DV Geography Club, where he currently serves as the club’s logistician. Yu’s passion for geography started at a young age through a specific interest in maps. This interest only grew in high school, when he joined DV’s geography club.

As a club officer, Yu cultivates curiosity about the world and geography through leading club activities focused on discussing geographical phenomena and a monthly GeoGuesser tournament.

“It’s a nice way for me to relax sometimes if I have a lot of work, because I love doing geography,” Yu said.

However, for some, like senior Nicholas Schultz, niche hobbies serve as more than just a way to relax. His hobby has helped ignite his curiosity and serves as a way to express individuality.

Schultz is classically trained in piano, playing for almost a decade. He’s always enjoyed “going to the extreme, […] and just pushing boundaries.” At 6 years old, Schultz discovered his passion for pushing his ideas beyond normal limits. Explaining his musical creations, Schultz described a past-time of his.

“I would take the classic arrangement of strings and winds and trumpets, drums, but I would write scores and include a Sitar [Indian classical instrument] or a Theremin [electronic musical instrument] or some just really cultural or even just experimental instruments, [and] just go ham on it,” Schultz explained.

For Schultz, music composition serves as a way for him to combine all of his interests, including history, music and culture to create something new.

Although Schultz doesn’t particularly feel affected by the cut-throat culture at Dougherty, he does feel pressured in other aspects; namely, the need to fit in. “Around here, you’re kind of almost beaten into a mold,” Schultz remarked. “You have to fit in. Music is my chance to not fit in, to go wild, go strange, go be weird and quirky.”

Niche hobbies also create community through genuine understanding and support. Special interests promote individuality and uniqueness, which Schultz explains is integral to maintaining strong, authentic relationships.

“What’s helped me make so many friends and have so many good relationships here is simply by doing a lot to stand out and being me, being unique.”