Senior Allie Tanita created the Instagram account @cl0udwatching club on Wednesday, Feb. 3 by sharing a photo of a cloud shaped like a seahorse. Within weeks, the account reached over 50 followers and gained an active following of students submitting their cloud photos and commenting their interpretations of the shapes.

Oftentimes, the student’s interpretations vary as each person views each cloud in a unique way. For example, different students suggested that the cloud on the right resembled a bunny, a snail, a rubber ducky, a flying squirrel, and more. The diverse interpretations allow students to catch a glimpse of the way their fellow students observe their surroundings. This perspective is especially valuable during the Covid-19 pandemic, as students have less opportunities than usual to interact with their peers’ perspectives.

What shape do you see in this cloud?

• Bunny
• Snail
• Rubber Ducky
• Flying Squirrel
• Other

View Results

 Loading ...

“Cloud watching is unique to every individual. I love that many people can see one thing and interpret it in many ways,” senior Natalie Sumitra said. “The Cloud Watching Club is a way to hear other people’s interpretations and their perspective in a new way.”

The club also requires creativity, as an abstract cloud acts as a blank canvas for students to imagine different designs on. Students have no limit on what they can perceive from the clouds. This creative expression allows students to relieve stress and practice thinking in a different way. There is no wrong or right way to observe the clouds, which is perfect for students pressured by inside-the-box academic thinking.

“It’s very creative and good for the imagination,” senior Marcos Moreno-Christian said. “My favorite part of the club is submitting my pictures to the Instagram and seeing what other people see in the clouds.”

The Cloud Watching Club also serves as a useful reminder to enjoy the little things in life, like clouds floating in the sky, as a relief from the stressors of everyday life during a pandemic. With students spending hours of their daily time on the computer for virtual school, going outside to watch the clouds offers a screen-free and fulfilling experience.

“Cloud watching is refreshing,” Sumitra said. “It’s a nice reminder to look up to the sky and think about things beyond us. Sometimes it’s easy to get caught up in life and forget the small things, but seeing [the club]’s posts can remind people to take a second of their busy day to look up at the sky.”

This sentiment is echoed by The Cloud Appreciation Society, an international group dedicated to celebrating clouds. Their manifesto encourages people to enjoy lighthearted aspects of life like clouds in the sky, just like the CHS Cloud Watching Club encourages.

“Look up, marvel at the ephemeral beauty, and always remember to live life with your head in the clouds!” the Society said.