Have you ever wondered how accurate media such as “Stranger Things” or “Back to the Future” are to their respective times? Meet Retro Club, whose focus is exactly that. Founded by junior Kina Stangl, it specializes in looking at the past as far back as the 1920’s by diving into popular media, fashion trends/styles, celebrities, and antique items. Stangl’s initial inspiration came after noticing a lack of clubs that focus on nostalgic themes. Stangl presents a clear idea of what people can come to Retro Club for. “I thought that’d it’d be cool if we could have a club that was more personal interest based since I love the ’80s, and some of my friends enjoy music and movies from that time,” she explains.  “I just thought this would be a really fun way to come together.”  

The club aims to create a safe space for anyone interested in looking into the past, helping them create their own future and community by learning and reflecting with others.  Stangl has a clear idea of what people can find within the community she is forming. “If you have an interest in any trends beyond the 2000’s, or if you want to learn more about what the past was like, whether it’s through history, art, society, fashion, anything of the sort,” explains Stangl. Many members chose to look directly into their past as it allows them to directly reflect on their background. For junior Ashley Martinez, being in the club not only allows her to connect with her peers, but also with her family. “My parents are older, so I definitely had more CDs growing up. We’d have old movies on there, music and bands, so that’s how I’ve been able to connect to retro,” explains Martinez. Additionally, Martinez claims that being a part of Retro Club fosters a learning space since everyone bonds over similar hobbies. “It helps you connect with new and different people you wouldn’t originally connect with if it weren’t for these types of interests,” states Matinez. 

Their meetings are held once a month during lunch on Wednesdays in the 11C neighborhood where they host events and activities such as trivia. “You get to learn more about the ’80s and 70’s, through past trends and what was popular,” states Martinez. Whether it’s about fashion trends, music, or other topics such as CD art or movie discussions, their aim is to educate and inspire.  

Looking at and contemplating the past is a remarkable way to plan future goals. This helps obtain a genuine perspective on past successes, failures, and even anticipate challenges with ways to approach them. These reflections can be compared to push and pull. “It helps us learn what did and didn’t work, so we don’t make those same mistakes now,” says Martinez. 

Overall, Retro Club is a space where anyone can feel comfortable learning about the past, by becoming familiar with the topic. By delving into decades ranging from the 1920’s to the 1990’s, they’re able to form a sense of community among their members, while leaving room for growth and improvement. Planning our futures and considering how we’re able to take past failures or successes allow us to determine what can be taken away from those experiences to make better decisions.