Students shuffle through pins, buttons and keychains, looking for the perfect trade. A button maker clicks in the background as new designs come to life. Colorful collections are spread across tables, each item holding a story waiting to be shared. This is Fishers High School’s newest club, where small collectibles bring people together.
Charles Wyngarden, a credit recovery teacher, sponsors the Pin-It Together club. The club was created this semester by junior Alex Minnick and friends who all shared an interest in collecting items they find interesting.
“We wanted to make a safe place where we could do what we loved, and that was trading and making things,” Minnick said.
The club began as a small group of friends before a few additional people became interested in the gatherings. What started as pins became buttons, patches, stickers and keychains, providing members with a large variety of trinkets available for trading.
A button maker is available at every meeting, allowing students to create and customize their own pieces on the spot. Some bring carefully curated collections, while others arrive with a handful of random trinkets hoping to score something new.
For the five members, the club is more than just an opportunity to trade; it is a space to connect. Whether it’s showing off a rare find, creating custom buttons or simply chatting, members like freshman Kylie Croteau have found a way to turn small items into something much bigger: a community.
“I think [the club has] helped in giving me a little push to talk to people, making me a little more social than I would have been,” Kylie Croteau said. “It definitely feels inviting and comforting.”
The laid-back and welcoming atmosphere makes it easy for students to jump in, whether they’re experienced collectors or just curious about trading. Members often chat as they browse each other’s items, swapping stories along with their trinkets.
“As of now, the only problem we have is reminding people when to show up.” Minnick said.
Aside from the primary trading, the group connects with social games like charades and two truths and a lie. The friendly atmosphere extends beyond the club’s own walls as members are often invited to join the Anime Club’s meetings afterward, turning a casual gathering into an extended hangout for those who share a love for both trading and anime.
“We call them collaboration buddies because their club goes to 4:30,” Minnick said. “So they invite anyone in our club to hang out once we’re finished.”
As the club continues to meet, Minnick and the members are focused on keeping it a welcoming space for all. With plans to expand, the club offers students a unique opportunity to trade, create and connect.
