Student Activities or Clubs

This page you can find descriptions (and eventually links) to the various student activities and clubs.




STUDENT ACTIVITIES DESCRIPTIONS

STUDENT CLUB	FACULTY ADVISOR	DESCRIPTION
Connecticut Geographic Alliance	Dave Thoman	The Connecticut Geographic Alliance High School Challenge is an annual competition for teams of high school students. It tests their geographic knowledge, understanding, and skill through a variety of team activities. Participants compete against other high schools throughout the state of Connecticut in a daylong series of events held at the University of Connecticut. If you are interested, please contact Mr. Thoman by e-mail or in Room 160 by December 1st.
Dance Team	Beckie Correale	Dance Team gives students a chance to share their talents with the SWHS community. We perform at basketball games and pep rallies, while preparing for Spring competitions at the state level. We are primarily a hip-hop team. Try-outs will be held in November and practices take place after school on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. The season runs from November through the beginning of March. This activity falls under athletics and requires a physical prior to try-outs.
Debate Team	Chad Lowd	The SWHS Debate Team got its start last spring and will continue this spring. Any students intrested in logic, research, reasoning, intellectual arguments (and counter arguments) are welcomed to attend our meetings. Students will be given a resolved topic and should be prepared to support both sides of that topic. It can get intense, but it is always fun.
Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA)	Lisa Barrett	DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe. With over a 60 year history, DECA has impacted the lives of more than ten million students, educators, school administrators and business professionals since it was founded in 1946. Their strong connection with our organization has resonated into a brand that people identify as a remarkable experience in the preparation of emerging leaders and entrepreneurs. DECA’s programs and activities have constantly evolved as we use the latest technology and apply cutting edge educational research. Our core focus has remained consistent and is captured in our mission.
FIRST Robotics	Jaimie Doiron	FIRST robotics is an international organization committed to teaching kids about science, technology, engineering and math. South Windsor High School's Bobcat Robotics team has been competing as a part of FIRST for 17 years. Each year, a game is announced and each team has six weeks to fully design and build a robot to compete.
Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA)	Lisa Barrett	FBLA National Awards Program recognizes and rewards excellence in a broad range of business and career-related areas. Through state-based competition at the spring State Leadership Conferences, students compete in events testing their business knowledge and skills. Top state winners then are eligible to compete for honors at the National Leadership Conference each summer.
Future Problem Solving	Dave Thoman	Future Problem Solving Program International (FPSPI) stimulates critical and creative thinking skills, encourages students to develop a vision for the future, and prepares students for leadership roles. FPSPI engages students in creative problem solving within the curriculum and provides competitive opportunities. Students work in teams of four to use creative thinking to solve problems that may occur in the future. Teams may qualify to compete in the Connecticut state competition and possibly the International competition. If you are interested, please contact Mr. Thoman by e-mail or in Room 160 by mid-September.
Gay Straight Alliance	Deb Field	The SWHS Gay-Straight Alliance provides a open forum for all students, regardless of gender orientation, to come together in a safe, non-judgmental space. Discussions and activities are geared toward promoting respect and inclusiveness in the high school environment. Students may choose to participate in activities such as National Coming Out Day, Day of Silence, and the annual True Colors Conference.
High School Buddies Club	Michele Brown-Quinn Ann Wolff	The High School Buddies Club, formerly known as the Y.E.S. club (Young Educator Society)are students who are looking to possibly choose education as a possible career choice. The main activity is to visit Wapping Elementary School and work side by side with the first and second graders, becoming their buddies and helping teachers educate the children. For a short while they become young educators themselves with close supervision. While the co- advisors are Michele Brown-Quinn and Ann Wolff, the club is student lead.
Interact Club	Amanda Taylor	Interact clubs are sponsored by individual Rotary clubs, which provide support and guidance, but they are self-governing and self-supporting. Each year, Interact Club completes at least two community service projects, one of which furthers international understanding and goodwill. Through these efforts, Interactors develop a network of friendships with local and overseas clubs 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. Interact works with local service organizations to aid community events and plans school, local, and international service efforts.
Japanese Culture Club	Emily Clifford	The Japanese Culture Club explores different facets of life in Japan through anime/manga, presentations, music, art, film, and so much more. See Ms. Clifford in room 256 for more information about meeting times.
Mind’s Eye Literary Magazine	Terri White	Mind’s Eye promotes writing/artwork in multiple genres: poetry, short story, song lyrics, photography, painting, illustration, & sculpture...just to name a few. The club collects, reads, discusses and chooses submissions for publication in a year-end book, which they create and then sell to students, staff, family and friends. Along the way the club hosts coffeehouses to fundraise and share music, artwork and/or poetry. Please see Mrs. White in room 144 for more information.
Mock Trial Club	Dave Schell	Students prepare a case for litigation as witnesses and attorneys, developing and learning testimony and legal rules and arguments. Their Prosecution and Defense teams litigate in state courts against teams from other Connecticut State High Schools. The club meets after school most Mondays in September and October in preparation. Meetings continue in November and beyond, when then trials commence. Individual preparation is required, and members must commit to attend meetings and all trials.
Model United Nations	Greg Frank	Model U.N. is an academic club that allows students to hone research, writing, and public speaking skills. The club is open to all students and meets after school every other Wednesday from September to February. Trips include New York City to the United Nations building and country missions, and to a state-wide simulation for 35 high schools at the University of Hartford. Experienced members also have an opportunity to participate in an international competition at Harvard University.
Musical Production Winter Drama Spring Comedy	Stephanie Simpson Barb Laurain Terri White	This year the musical will be "FAME!" The musical takes place during the Fall semester. The musical will rehearse every day after school with performances November 8-10th. "FAME" is an energetic, fun musical about high school students at a top Performing Arts Academy Information regarding the winter drama and spring comedy will be announced later in the year.
Outing Club	Karolyn Andrews Donna Lynch	The South Windsor Outing Club is a club that provides students the opportunity to get out and enjoy the outdoors. Some of the activities include hiking, skiing, snowboarding, zip-lining, biking, whitewater rafting, snowshoeing, and camping. The club is not limited to these activities and welcomes new suggestions and ideas for future trips. Through these activities we hope students will develop leadership skills and learn to appreciate the environment around them.
SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions)	Mike Bombara	A peer leadership club dedicated to preventing destructive decisions, particularly underage drinking, other drug use, impaired driving, teen violence, and teen depression and suicide. SADD involves young people delivering education and prevention messages to their peers through school and communitywide activities.
Science Olympiad	Janet Belval	Science Olympiad is a high school team competition in which students compete in events pertaining to various scientific disciplines, including earth science, biology, chemistry, physics, and engineering. The state competition is held at UCONN in April. Over 6,400 teams from 50 U.S. states compete each year.
South Windsor Environmental Club	Danel Eitel Sarah Saunders	The Environmental Club is a student directed group that addresses a variety of ways that the South Windsor community can reduce its environmental impact. Activities and topics vary from year to year based on student interest. Previous projects include " Keep CT Kool Project", Earth-a-Palooza, recycling programs, organic and sustainable gardening, and community outreach.
Spanish Club	Liz Ruiz	Come explore Spanish culture through language activities and community outreach efforts. Students interested in international travel are highly encouraged to participate in this club. We meet once a month in room 227.
Student Council	Larry Bojarski	The Student Council is open to every student. A willingness to participate in Student Council sponsored events is all that’s required. A few of the events planned for this year are: food and clothing drives, holiday party, pictures with Santa, Valentine’s Day flower sale, and computer match. Meeting times are announced.
SWHS Book Club	Erin Simcik Theresa Tross	The student book club features teen fiction selected by students. Meetings will be an opportunity to discuss the book and form new friendships. Meetings are held only once a month. For more information go to http://sites.apps.southwindsorschools.org/book-club/ .
Unified Theatre	Barbara Laurain	Unified Theater is a club which puts a spotlight on each individual's unique ability to shine! Students, both regular and special education, collaborate on creating, producing and acting in a production which culminates the school year in June. All grades, all interest levels and all abilities are encouraged to join. Weekly meetings usually begin in March.
Yoga Club	Roxanne Lane	The SWHS Yoga Club is a group that practices yoga once per week after school; however it is not compulsory that students attend every week. No yoga experience is required. We ask students to come with an open mind. Yoga is about participating to your own ability while gaining flexibility and relaxation. If you have any questions contact Ms. Lane in room 6.