Clubs & Activities
West Aurora High School
Clubs, Activities and Organizations
All Clubs and Organizations are open membership, unless otherwise indicated.
* Must be invited or audition to join
**Can join if you are a part of the class
Competitive Clubs
| Club | Staff | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Academic Challenge | N. Gross (Math) |
To gain a deeper appreciation of Science and Engineering through contests and group activities (formerly titled WYSE). Contact: ngross@sd129.org |
| AFJROTC Drill Team | S. Hellinger / E. Pettyjohn (AFJROTC) |
To enable a team to move as a cohesive unit in an orderly manner. It aids in disciplinary training by instilling habits of precision and response to a leader’s orders, which then provides the development of strong character, attention to detail, and excellence. CAN ONLY JOIN IF IN CLASS Contact: shellinger@sd129.org OR epettyjohn@sd129.org |
| Bass Fishing Team | J. Dahle (Jewel MS Sci) |
For students who want to develop fishing skills in a competitive setting. Contact: jdahle@sd129.org |
| BPA** | M. Cikesh (District) / C. Bourjaily (CTE) |
For students who are interested in computers, business skills or career prep. CAN ONLY JOIN IF IN CLASS Contact: mcikesh@sd129.org OR chris.bourjaily@sd129.org |
|
Chess Team
|
S. Carroll (Soc Studies) |
To learn / perfect the game of chess and increase strategic thinking. Contact: samcarroll@sd129.org |
| DECA** | L. Treadway / J. Whiteaker (CTE) |
For career exploration in marketing, management and entrepreneurship. CAN ONLY JOIN IF IN CLASS Contact: ltreadway@sd129.org OR jennifer.whiteaker@sd129.org |
| E-Sports | J. Favela (Div) |
Participate in a multiplayer video games played competitively for spectators. We turn video game playing into a sport! Contact: jfavela@sd129.org |
| FCCLA | K. Armstrong / L. Nudera (CTE) |
To explore careers in Family and Consumer Sciences. Contact: karmstrong@sd129.org OR lnudera@sd129.org |
| HOSA** | A. Sonnefeldt (HSCA) |
To promote career opportunities in the health care industry and to enhance the delivery of quality health care to all people. CAN ONLY JOIN IF IN CLASS Contact: asonnefeldt@sd129.org |
| Mathletes | M. Love / N. Gross / J. Maston (Math) |
To gain a deeper appreciation of math through contest / group activities. Contact: mlove@sd129.org, ngross@sd129.org, OR jmaston@sd129.org |
| Scholastic Bowl Team | TBD | To compete in a Jeopardy-like team against other schools. |
| Skills USA | K. Phillips (CTE) |
A national organization serving students who are preparing for careers in trade, technical and skilled service occupations, including health occupations. SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. Contact: kphillips@sd129.org |
| Speech Team | M. Haney (IMSA) / A. DiDonato (Health) |
To develop skills in defending one’s opinion in a competitive setting. Contact: mhaney@imsa.edu OR adidonato@sd129.org |
| StellarXplorers | S. Freitag (CTE) / E. Pettyjohn (AFJROTC) |
To function as a team in a competitive environment, solve complex engineering problems, and develop critical thinking skills. Subject matter focuses on creative solutions to optimize satellite design and launch planning. Contact: sfreitag@sd129.org OR epettyjohn@sd129.org |
Performance Based Clubs
| Club | Staff | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Band** | P. Sampson / R. Schueller / J. Sierakowski (Fine Arts) |
To provide entertainment and develop skills in music. Contact: rschueller@sd129.org, psampson@sd129.org, OR jsierakowski@sd129.org |
| Choir** | B. Smith / G. Currie (Fine Arts) |
To develop skills and appreciation for singing. Contact: briansmith@sd129.org OR grace.currie@sd129.org |
| Comedy Club | S. Stern (Sci) |
A student group who writes, casts and performs an annual sketch comedy show. Contact: sstern@sd129.org |
| Drama Club | K. Ruffalo (Eng/Fine Arts) |
To provide opportunities for backstage, onstage and theater activities. Fall Play* - J. Pauley (Eng): to produce and participate in a Main stage production of a drama or comedy. Contact: jpauley@sd129.org Winter Play* - S. Becker (Eng): a Main stage production of a drama or comedy open to freshmen/sophomores or students new to Drama. Contact: sbecker@sd129.org Winter One Acts* - J. Pauley / K. Ruffalo (Eng) to allow a venue for student-directed and produced one-act plays. Contact: jpauley@sd129.org OR kruffalo@sd129.org Spring Musical* - K. Ruffalo (Eng): to produce and participate in a Main stage production of a musical. Contact: kruffalo@sd129.org |
| Madrigals* | B. Smith (Fine Arts) |
To develop skills and appreciation for music through madrigal music. Contact: briansmith@sd129.org |
| Step Team* | T. Towles / T. Walls (Div) |
To be part of a competitive spirit squad which uses rhythmic sounds in a drill team fashion. Contact: ttowles@sd129.org OR twalls@sd129.org |
After School Clubs
| Club | Staff | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Above The Influence | R. Norkett (Soc Studies) |
Encourages students to remain “above the influence” of Drugs, Alcohol, Distracted Driving and other Negative Influences that teens face in today’s society. Contact: rnorkett@sd129.org |
| Alianza Hispana | O. Delahoya (World Lang) |
To promote cultural pride and influences that shape the Hispanic community. Contact: odelahoya@sd129.org |
| American Sign Language (ASL) Club | K. Szkola (Div) |
To increase awareness and knowledge of communicating with individuals who are deaf and hard of hearing. Contact: kszkola@sd129.org |
| Anime Club | S. Schultz (Art) |
To provide opportunities to explore the world of anime. Contact: sschultz@sd129.org |
|
BE (Biblical Escape) |
C. Sendzimer (World Lang) |
A student-led club that brings fellowship and fun, offering an escape of the busyness of high school by reading the Bible and talking about God. Contact: csendzimer@sd129.org |
| Book Club | C. Sparks (Lib) |
To read and discuss books to promote the love of reading and critical thinking. Contact: csparks@sd129.org |
| Breakthrough | C. Tammen (Soc Studies) / B. Farren (Eng) |
A student-led Christian/Catholic club that brings in guest speakers and worship leaders, attends concerts and conferences, and participates in community service and outreach events. Contact: bfarren@sd129.org OR ctammen@sd129.org |
| Broadcasting Club | T. Mielcarz (Aud) |
To teach broadcasting skills and practice them at school events. Contact: tmielcarz@sd129.org |
|
Clay Club |
E. Bogucki (Fine Arts) |
To develop or expand on skills creating pottery and other clay artwork. Contact: ebogucki@sd129.org |
| Coding Club | L. Treadway (CTE) |
To learn how to code and experience new coding languages in the world of computer programming. Contact: ltreadway@sd129.org |
| Creative Writing Club | C. Hill (Eng) |
An opportunity to share your poetry or short stories and learn about upcoming writing competitions and events. Contact: chill@sd129.org |
| Educators Rising | J. Coy (Health) |
To provide an atmosphere for those students who want to be educators. Contact: jcoy@sd129.org |
| Empowered Women of the Future | T. Shepard (Eng) |
To empower the young women at West High to discover their voices and make them known in our school, community, state and country to promote social justice. Contact: tshepard@sd129.org |
| Engineering Club | S. Freitag / D. Hammarberg (CTE) |
To influence more knowledge and creativity for students interested in engineering as a career. Contact: sfreitag@sd129.org OR dhammarberg@sd129.org |
| Film Club | M. Persons (Eng) |
An opportunity to study and enjoys movies of various genres. Contact: mpersons@sd129.org |
| French Club | A. Schultz (World Lang) |
To learn about the French culture and language. Contact: aschultz@sd129.org |
| French Honor Society* | A. Schultz (World Lang) |
To promote scholarship and to recognize high honor achievement in the French language. Contact: aschultz@sd129.org |
| Games Club | R. Payne (Soc Studies) |
To provide opportunities for gaming - both board and interactive. Contact: rpayne@sd129.org |
| Girls Run The World | S. Calice (APD) | For young women who desire to become change agents within their neighborhoods in an effort to mentor the next generation of young women |
| Global Minds | A. Cyrus / K. Orchard (Guidance) |
A for-youth by-youth organization inspiring students to form social bonds, intercultural friendships, and consider global issues in order to combat the issues of cultural intolerance and discrimination. Contact: acyrus@sd129.org OR korchard@sd129.org |
| Gospel Choir | J. Howard (BH Campus) / A. Smith (Out-of-District) |
To foster the love of gospel music and prepare for performances. Contact: jhoward@sd129.org OR angelasmith@sd129.org |
| Homework Club | J. Harland (Div) |
Need help on your homework? If so, drop in any time after school to get assistance; meet Monday-Thursday in Room B268. Contact: jharland@sd129.org |
| Indivisible West Aurora | C. Sparks (Lib) |
To improve and unite our liberally-minded students in this youth advocacy group, with a mission to improve the larger community. A sister organization to Indivisible Aurora, a liberal advocacy group. Contact: csparks@sd129.org |
| Key Club | K. Ludwig (Div) |
A student-led organization whose goal is to encourage leadership through serving others. Contact: kludwig@sd129.org |
| Mental Health Awareness Club | W. Ha (Soc Studies) |
To promote an understanding and acceptance of mental health issues. Contact: wha@sd129.org |
| Muses | J. Pauley (Eng) |
To produce a literary magazine which includes poetry, stories and more. Contact: jpauley@sd129.org |
|
National Art Honor Society* |
J. Goeringer (Fine Arts) |
To honor and promote scholarship, leadership, character and service through the arts. Contact: jgoeringer@sd129.org |
| National Honor Society* | T. Shepard (Eng) |
To honor and promote scholarship, leadership, character and service. Contact: tshepard@sd129.org |
| PAWS | J. Black / J. Larson (Div) |
To promote awareness of animal welfare efforts and help homeless pets. Contact: jblack@sd129.org OR julielarson@sd129.org |
| Photography Club | K. Rhodes (Fine Arts) |
To develop creativity through photography. Contact: krhodes@sd129.org |
| Pride Club | K. Phillips (CTE) |
To promote a safe and welcoming school environment for all students. Contact: kphillips@sd129.org |
| SAVE Promise Club | R. Payne (Soc Studies) |
Students Against Violence Everywhere; A place for young people across the country to show their leadership, creativity & passion for protecting their friends, school & communities from violence BEFORE it happens. Contact: rpayne@sd129.org |
| Spanish Club | A. Scharm (World Lang) |
To learn about Hispanic cultures and the Spanish language, while providing social activities and community service. Contact: ascharm@sd129.org |
| Spanish Honor Society* | C. Aguilar (World Lang) |
To promote scholarship and to recognize high honor achievement in the Spanish language. Contact: caguilar@sd129.org |
| Stage Crew | S. Tait (Aud) |
To learn and provide all lighting, sound, scenery & special effects for West High events. Contact: stait@sd129.org |
| Student Ambassadors* | E. Kegarise (Activities) |
To provide a venue for service to the school, district and community. Contact: ekegarise@sd129.org |
| Student Council | C. Fischer (Div) |
An organization devoted to student voice and involvement at West High. Contact: cfischer@sd129.org |
| Weightlifting Club | T. Kraus (Health) |
The Aurora Weightlifting Club has been training athletes for Olympic Weightlifting since 1998. We have had many national champions, international competitors, & have even sent athletes to college on weightlifting scholarships. Contact: tkraus@sd129.org |
| West Aurora Black Student Union | T. Walls (Div) |
To promote cultural pride and explore influences that shape the African-American community. Contact: twalls@sd129.org |
| West Buddies | C. Davidson / E. Hernandez (Div) |
To provide opportunities for building relationships between all students. Contact: cdavidson@sd129.org OR ellenhernandez@sd129.org |
| World Relief Homework Club | C. Gomez (World Lang) |
To provide extra assistance and guidance for students who are new to the United States. Contact: cegomez@sd129.org |
|
Yearbook Club |
M. Kucia (Eng) / K. Skogsberg (Math) |
To learn publication techniques and publish the annual yearbook. Contact: mkucia@sd129.org OR kskogsberg@sd129.org |
Student Council Structure
Meetings: Tuesday & Friday mornings
Meetings are open to all West High students!
Student Council is an opportunity to support school spirit, support Blackhawk teams, develop and mobilize service endeavors, plan and organize activities and dances, and develop leadership skills.
Sound & Spirit
Promote it / Hear it
- Student Section(Rowdies)
- Prize Patrol
- Pep Assemblies
- Spirit Weeks
- Sports Themes
Outreach
Praise it / Feel it
- Community Service Events
- Toiletry Drive
- Recycle Drive
- Food Drive
- Dance Marathon - #FTK
- FMSC & School Visits
Design
Present it / See it
- Posters and Flyers
- Announcements
- Decorating
(Hallway/Lockers) - Social Media
Activities
Plan it / Do it
- Homecoming
- Winter Dance
- Prom
- Special Events
- Tailgates
- Races
- Movie Night
- Car Show