No Clubs Freshman Year - A Problem?

I’m integrating into my new high school environment relatively well. I’m making A+s in all of my classes except for Latin, in which I’m making more of an A. The one problem is, however, that I’m not in any extracirriculars at the present except for chorus, which is mostly a class with a few rehearsals and concerts now and then.

Firstly, I attend a rather small town in a semi-rural part of Western NC. We already have a limited number of clubs to begin with.
Secondly, some of the better ones are not available to freshmen to join. So those are already out of the question.
Thirdly, I express interest in joining robotics and science Olympiad in the middle school when the time came to do so. There, I was doing Battle of the Books and Robotics, and had done SGA and Science Olympiad as well a year earlier. I wasn’t picked for anything despite me being quite the smart person and having done many clubs before, and personally knowing the robotics teacher.

I ran for the lowest position in SGA, the Legislative Council, and didn’t get into that, either, which sucked awfully because there were only six people running for four positions. Yeah, I’m a loser.

Out of the handful of clubs we could join as a Freshman, I chose three. Peers for Education club, Drama club, and Key club.
For PIE club they notified you of meeting through an app on your phone. I do not have a phone, but thought they would make announcements when the time came to meet. I was wrong. They’ve gone several meetings without me and it’s too late to join.
For Drama, they make announcements on the daily news, which I never get to hear because it’s during 2nd period -chorus- and all of the students are talking loudly over the quiet mumble of the television on the opposite side of the classroom, so I didn’t hear when they announced the dates of the club meetings. I’ve missed two and they’re now starting a production.
For Key club, I was ill the first day they held the meeting. I still may be able to join, but I don’t know for sure.

So now, understandably, I’m feeling pretty down in the dumps. I try so hard to be included in my school’s activities but fall short of doing anything that matters.
I’m wanting to apply to NCSSM during my sophomore year, so it’s vital that I have a good amount of clubs on my plate when I apply. I don’t, and I’m stressing terribly over it. I feel ignored and isolated despite my efforts.

Is this a legitimate problem? Does anyone have any advice for me?

You show rigor and drive in your academics, this is a good thing. I wouldn’t be too worried about clubs, but if you can still join one (key club perhaps?), it always helps. If you are really stressing about this, start your own club! It is a great way to show community involvement and leadership skills.

One tip for High School, you need to go for the things that you want. This stage in your educational career is where you should begin to build your competency and take your path into your own hands. The reasons you listed for not being able to join your three choice clubs were avoidable.

If you are not able to get updates because you lack the technology needed to do so, tell the person who runs the program or ask a friend to keep you in the loop; if you cannot hear the announcements over the loud speaker, ask the teacher if you can step out of the classroom or go yourself to whoever runs the program; if you miss the first meeting of a club, talk to someone to get you filled in. Communication is key!

Don’t let yourself get upset over things you could change. (I know that sounded preachy, but I don’t mean it to. You seem to be a great student and your application is evident. I know that you will do well in HS, just make sure to take control of your situation).

As a freshman, use this time to decide IF you are interested any of those clubs.
Key Club seems like a good one because it is service oriented and you could jump in at any time.

Go to the Key Club teacher advisor or Club president and say that you are interested in joining, what should you do.
That may feel hard, but that is part of HS…learning to branch out and stand up for yourself.