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Activities

Students may join a variety of clubs and activities that have an academic, athletic, artistic or community emphasis.

 

ACTIVITY OR CLUB FACULTY ADVISOR

Amnesty International

Mission:  To promote human rights and justice throughout the world.

Amnesty International is a worldwide movement working impartially for the release of all prisoners of conscience, fair and prompt trials for political prisoners and an end to torture.  Over 1.1 million Amnesty International members work on behalf of human rights in 150 countries.  We welcome anyone interested in Amnesty to join our club.  Meetings are held after school on Thursdays.  New members are needed and always welcome.  Come and voice your opinion.

Stephen Lapolla

Art Club

Mission: To foster skills and an appreciation of the visual arts through experience and instruction in a variety of art activities.

Art Club is for all students who are interested in creating art through a variety of different media. Students will participate in painting, drawing, and sculpture projects, as well as creating in the areas of computer, video and photography. Projects are selected according to student interest at the beginning of the school year. Interests may range from creating a mural and easel painting to developing a sculpture garden, working with Plaster craft, portrait photography, and video production. Student trips to local museums and art galleries may be also planned, but depend on available transportation.

Valerie Gordon

Audio Visual Club

The Audio Visual Club is a service group that aids the staff in delivering and repairing multimedia resources and equipment, as well as broadcasting the Morning Announcements. If interested, contact Mr. Tooker at TookerJe@egcsd.org.

Jeff Tooker

Computer Club

Computer Club is an after school activity that meets once per week and focuses on many different aspects of computer science. Strategy and logic board games are used to increase deduction and problem solving skills, along with the use of online tutorials to teach students how to code. Other activities may include puzzles, raspberry pi (building and playing), guest speakers, and online games that may be played individually or cooperatively. All students grades 9-12 are welcome, no matter their experience level!

Jessica Hladik

The Devil’s Advocate

Mission: To provide the school and community with news, features, editorials, and sports coverage concerning Columbia and the world-at-large.

Writers, artists, photographers, grammatical gurus, readers, graphic design wizards…we are the group for you! The Devil’s Advocate is published 4-5 times during the school year and is truly a student-run, student-oriented newspaper. Our club welcomes new members throughout the year, and we look forward to comments from our readership as well. If you are interested in having your voice heard, please consider joining the staff.

Meagan Asenbauer
Kara Macpherson

Driver Education

Mission: To earn the DMV-285 certificate that qualifies a person for a driver education certificate.

Additional information can be obtained by emailing Mr. Tooker at TookerJe@egcsd.org.

Jeff Tooker

Ethnic Coalition

Mission: Promotion of tolerance and cultural diversity awareness within the school community through community service activities.

The Ethnic Coalition meets weekly to discuss, plan and implement activities, which encourage cultural diversity within the school and community.

Jason DeFrias
Nicole Weiss

Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA)

Mission: To bring business and education together in a positive working relationship through innovative leadership and career development programs.

FBLA strives to: develop competent, aggressive business leadership; strengthen the confidence of students in themselves and their work; create more interest in and understanding of American business enterprise; encourage members in the development of individual projects that contribute to the improvement of home, business, and community; develop character, prepare for useful citizenship, and foster patriotism; encourage and practice efficient money management; encourage scholarship and promote school loyalty; assist students in the establishment of occupational goals; and facilitate the transition from school to work.

Donna Shepardson
Katrina Gruet

German Club

Mission: With focus on German activities and field trips, learning more about German culture and language, with major emphasis on the G.A.P.P. program.

Rune Williams

Interact Club

Mission: Interact gives CHS students the chance to make a real difference while having fun.

The Interact club carries out at least two service projects a year: one that helps their school or community, and one that promotes international understanding and goodwill. Through these efforts, Interactors develop a network of friendships and learn the importance of:

  • Developing leadership skills and personal integrity
  • Demonstrating helpfulness and respect for others
  • Understanding the value of individual responsibility and hard work
  • Advancing international understanding and goodwill

George Hartnagle

Key Club

Mission: To promote a concern and responsibility toward our fellow human beings.

Key Club is a service organization than encourages students to become involved in community affairs. It is affiliated with the local Kiwanis Club and also is part of a statewide and National association of Key Clubs. In the past it has organized and participated in such things as fundraisers, walkathons and babysitting for elementary school parent nights.

Nicole Conte

Labyrinth

Mission: To promote the creative arts through the publication of a literary and arts magazine.

The members of The Labyrinth meet weekly from September to June. The primary goal is to discuss and vote on submissions by students. In April the magazine is laid out and then published by May. We also read and discuss published writers. Special events are sometimes held.

Melissa Dupont
Patti Shaw

Leaders of Tomorrow Leading Today

Mission: This is a club with its focus on teaching students how to be leaders.

LTLD is an exciting club where there will be multiple opportunities throughout the year to get involved in leadership activities.

Rune Williams

Masterminds

Mission: To provide students the opportunity to compete against area schools in a trivia based question and answer game.

Masterminds is an academic competition for students against local area schools. Students are asked to perform individually and collectively to answer questions in the areas of art, literature, history/geography, mathematics, pop culture, and much more.

Stefani Monuteaux
Scott Monuteaux

Math League

Math League is a series of six New York State Mathematics League contests that are administered after school. Students are expected to have a background in advanced algebra, geometry and high-level thinking skills.

Marilyn Thompson

Mock Trial Team

Mission: To help students gain a practical understanding of the way the American legal system functions.

The Columbia High School Mock Trial Team is an exciting law-related education program that introduces students to the American legal system and provides a challenging opportunity for personal growth and achievement. While learning the details of trial process and procedure, students also develop important lifetime skills: critical analysis of problems, reasoning, listening, oral presentation and argument development. Mock trials provide an active learning opportunity for students and require a high level of cooperation among participants.

Stephen Lapolla
Rebecca Wilson

Model Congress

Mission: To encourage students to participate in the democratic process and become better citizens.

Model Congress is a debate style club for students interested in political science and/or current events. The students propose issues (often in the form of bills) then debate their stance. Model Congress provides high school students with an opportunity to learn about and experience the American legislative system first hand. MC delegates, always a diverse group, debate important issues in a forum that encourages individual thought and allows for fun and interesting topics of debate.

James Driscoll

National Honor Society

Mission: For well over 90 years the National Honor Society has worked to bring the achievements of outstanding high school students to the attention of their classmates, parents, communities and the colleges they plan to attend.

When the National Honor Society was founded in 1921, the hope was to create an organization that would recognize and encourage academic achievement while developing other essential characteristics for students to be model citizens in their school and communities.  These ideals of scholarship, character, service, and leadership remain as relevant today as they were three-quarters of a century ago.

Students may not apply for membership in the National Honor Society.  Membership is granted only to those students selected by the faculty council of advisors in each school.  The selection process focuses on four necessary criteria needed by each candidate; scholarships, leadership, service and character.

The faculty council develops working definitions of these criteria and surveys the entire faculty and staff to access students who are academically eligible.

Scholarship: 90% weighted average

Leadership: Demonstrates leadership in extracurricular activities, classroom discussions, and contributes to improve the civic life of the school and community.

Service: Participation in extracurricular activities each year throughout their tenure in high school (9-12).  Activities, ie: athletics, drama club, scouting, 4-H Club, and community volunteer services.

Character: Upholds principles of morality and ethics, demonstrates high standards of honesty and reliability.  Observes proper conduct in school, follows rules, punctuality, and respect for others.

On behalf of the faculty advisors to the Honor Society, we offer each student an opportunity to work toward the goal of becoming a member in the “Les Savants” chapter of the National Honor Society at Columbia High School.

Emily Shatraw

Peer Leadership

Peer leaders are individuals who possess natural characteristics of being leaders and would like to use those skills to help others in their school and local community. This group works together to be positive influences on the attitudes and behaviors of those in the EGCSD community. Members of Peer Leadership will continue to grow their leadership skills through service projects and leadership training.

Noelle Domalewicz
Meagan Asenbauer

Pride Club

The Pride Club (formally Gay-Straight Alliance) is a student-run club that brings together LGBTQ+ and straight students to be supportive of each other, provide a safe place to socialize, and to create a platform for current issues that may arise. Our meetings take place from 2:20-3:20 after school in the library on Tuesdays. Everyone is welcome!

Chris Ciccone

Science Olympiad

Mission:To foster a sense of community based on a common interest in science, which allows students to develop their full potential. To provide an opportunity for students to pursue their interests in, and master specific science topics not addressed by the current curriculum.

The CHS Science Olympiad utilizes the National Science Olympiad as the primary vehicle for achieving its mission. Student teams participate in a program of local, regional, state and national competitions. Students share a common homeroom and meet with each other and with faculty coaches after school and at other times to prepare for their events. This preparation may include building and testing a variety of devices and systems, honing their laboratory skills, adding to their knowledge base in a variety of topics, and improving their observational and communication skills. The CHS Science Club holds several social events for members, and runs two fund-raising activities each year. The record of past performance for the CHS Science Olympiad teams has been phenomenal. They have finished 1st in the region consistently, and were crowned state champions in 2015 and 2016.

Jeff Amos
Bailey Freemantle
Tim Muzio

Serious About Science and Science National Honor Society

Mission: SNHS (Science National Honor Society) and SAS (Serious About Science) is a group that combines a science honor society with relevant science activities, speakers and trips.

SNHS is “a prominent scientific organization that will engender a new group of young thinkers who will be the future of industry, research, and scientific exploration.” It is not directly affiliated with The National Honor Society. Being a SNHS chapter is a part of this club. The other part of the club (SAS) includes a number of different things that would excite the science enthusiast. We will invite speakers on relevant topics in the area and look to bring speakers here to the larger community. We will complete science activities and experiments as interest dictates. We will also collaborate with our elementary schools by conducting demonstrations, helping younger students complete projects and compete in local fairs. Field trips to competitions, research centers and museums will also be included. We will pursue current topics and discussions in science and readings that are of interest.

Tom Ross
Heidi Gleason

Ski Club

Mission: To allow students to learn and enjoy a lifetime winter sport.

Ski Club is open to all interested students in grades 6-12. The club takes students after school during the winter months to enjoy skiing and snowboarding at nearby Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort. The club provides chartered busing transportation, lessons for all abilities, and equipment rentals when needed.

Rune Williams

Student Council

Mission: Student Council is dedicated to working for the betterment of the whole school community, socially, culturally, and politically.

Student Council has many goals, including promoting school spirit, fostering self-dignity among students at Columbia High School. The club also encourages positive attitudes, student-to-student and student-to-faculty. In addition, the club members act as adjunct service group to those in need of assistance both in the school and the community-at-large.

Student Council strives to inform and educate the public about the positive achievements and talents of the student body. The club also teaches the student members and the entire school body that helping others and working together cooperatively can be both fun and rewarding.

Student Council Website

Chelsea Dyer
Kelley Sheraw

Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD)

Mission: To increase the student body’s knowledge in making smart decisions while having fun and being a positive influence on oneself and others.

Columbia’s S.A.D.D. chapter is one of many nationally recognized organizations participating in schools throughout the USA. Through joining S.A.D.D., students will be able to attend local conferences, participate in and implement activities such as Winterfest, Health Awareness Week, Columbia’s famous pre-prom car crash, Grimm Reaper Day, Red Ribbon Day, Holiday Awareness, and much more. If you’re looking to an interesting and fun club, come check us out!

SADD Website

Jeff Tooker
Chris LeGare

Students/Environmental Action

Mission: To increase awareness of environmental issues and promote stewardship of the planet by organization of recycling programs at Columbia High School.

Students for Environmental Action Website

Rob West

Ultimate Frisbee Club

To advance the sport of Ultimate at CHS by enhancing and promoting Character, Community, and Sportsmanlike Competition.

Tim Muzio

Yearbook Club

Mission: To expose students to elements of graphic design, photography, and the intricacies of marketing and publishing a major book.

The Columbian Yearbook Club is for all students who are interested in helping to create, publish, and promote the Columbian Yearbook. Club members are asked to photograph some school events, and to work with an outside photographer to capture every aspect of life at CHS. This club designs and creates each and every page of the yearbook each year (over 200 pages!). Members interact weekly to meet strict publishing deadlines. The reward at the end of each year is a book of memories that students can keep for a lifetime.

Yearbook Website

Nicole Weiss
Patricia Shaw

Youth Activation Committee for Unified Sports

This club supports Columbia’s Unified Sports in basketball and bowling.

Chelsea Dyer
Audra Di Bacco
COLUMBIA HIGH SCHOOL MUSIC PROGRAMS
Chamber Orchestra

 

Susan Chrzan
Chamber Singers Shellie Badger
Chorus Shellie Badger

Columbia Players

Mission: To expose the students to the theater, and teach them how it works.

This group puts on a major musical production each year in the spring. Tryouts are usually held in the fall. Students will sing, dance and act. If you cannot do all three that’s okay, many learn or do what they can. Between those on stage, back stage, tech or pit, the number usually runs around 80-100 students. In this group you will work hard, have fun and find great pride in what you do.

Kara MacPherson
Melissa Dupont
Scott Halliday
Concert Band Jonathan Kusche

Jazz Ensemble

Mission: To develop and promote an appreciation for big band jazz and jazz literature.

Jazz Band rehearses once a week after school for 1 1/2 hours. Students perform several concerts a year in school and around the community. The musical selections are drawn from traditional big band music of the 1940s through the 2000s. Auditions for this ensemble are held in the spring of the previous school year.

Scott Halliday
Mixed Chorus Shellie Badger
Orchestra Susan Chrzan
Symphonic Band/Wind Ensemble Scott Halliday
AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES AND ADVISORS
(Please note, these activities are not funded by the District and meet after school hours.)

Baroquen Chords

Mission: To give students the opportunity to play modern music styles on traditional orchestral instruments.

Baroquen Chords rehearses once a week after school for an hour. Students perform concerts in school and community settings. Music selections will be taken from the recent and classic rock and pop genres. BC is open to any student currently enrolled in Columbia’s orchestra program. Interested students who are not enrolled should speak with Mrs. Chrzan.

Sue Chrzan

Book Club

If you love reading and talking about books with others the CHS Book Club is the place for you! We are a “bring your own book” style book club. Read what YOU like and be prepared to chat about it with the group. The CHS Book Club is open to everyone and we always welcome new members! Email Mrs. Banks at Bankska@egcsd.org for meeting dates and more information.

Kate Banks

D&D Club

Mission: To foster positive social, collaborative and problem-solving skills, as well as abundant creativity, through engagement in fantasy/sci-fi role-playing games (RPGs).

D&D club is a place for anyone interested in tabletop role-playing games to gather and create in a fun and non-competitive setting. Join us in designing unique characters, fantastic worlds and exciting adventures. The club is open to all students, from beginners to seasoned veterans, no experience is necessary (but we are always in need of GMs). Although traditionally D&D, other tabletop (and appropriate) RPGs are welcome and encouraged. Note, being in this club does require having complete respect for all other players (characters), face to face socialization, and teamwork. If this sounds like the club for you, please consider checking us out!

Laura Gavlick
Sunshine Club (for staff) Kate Hastings
Gretchen Schulz
CLASS ADVISORS
Class of 2024 Noelle Domalewicz
Rachel Polaski
Class of 2025 Emily Cooke
Siobhan Kennedy
Class of 2026 Meagan Asenbauer
Frank DiDonato
Class of 2027 Scott Monuteaux
Stefani Monuteaux
Daniel Batcher