The Dungeons and Dragons Club is an activity open to all students at Nixa High School and strives to be a welcoming, collaborative environment for anyone interested.

Dungeons and Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game where players create characters to go on adventures (campaigns) with other players’ characters. Each campaign is run by a Dungeon Master, or DM, who crafts the story for the characters to play through.

About six campaigns run each Monday in Dungeons and Dragons Club, some led by students, and one for seniors run by the club’s sponsor, George Villanueva. 

Each week, Villanueva sees about 25-30 students in his classroom for the club. Each student varies in their experience with the game, and that’s what has allowed the club to achieve the welcoming and open atmosphere that it has.

Each week the club talks about its rules and standards. For Villanueva, the most important is that they maintain this atmosphere.
“Everyone is welcome at any time, and there is no question about it,” Villanueva said. 

On top of the welcoming nature of the club, Villanueva also preaches collaboration. 

Dungeons and Dragons is a game built on collaboration. Party members must put their heads together to work their way out of situations. 

Each week, the collaborative atmosphere is displayed front and center. Each table, even though they are playing separate games, cheers for, and supports each other throughout the meeting. 

 “When something happens at one table, kids will cheer and yell,” said Villanueva. 

Rebecca Cooke, a sophomore and member of the Dungeons and Dragons club said that she has seen Villanueva’s goals of collaboration implemented each week.

“It’s really exciting… everybody’s laughing and yelling,” Cooke said. 

Cooke joined the club earlier this semester and said that she enjoys the stories and community that the club creates.

For those looking to join the club, no experience is needed, and it is open to anyone who wishes to join.

Anyone can enjoy playing the game, though it is often more fantasy-centric.

“If you like fantasy or storybooks, totally join,” Cooke said.