Clubs and Activities

List of 48 items.

• Artificial Intelligence Club

  Moderator: Mr. Michael Gualtieri

• Audio Production Club

  Moderator: Mr. Bill White

• Be Like Brit Club

  Moderator: Mr. Tim Williams

• Bowling Team

  Moderator: Mr. Christopher Whelan
  
  

  Saint John’s Bowling Team competes in the Worcester County USBC High School Bowling League (Ten Pin).  Bowling occurs during the winter sports season, beginning after Thanksgiving and continuing to the state meet during the first weekend in March.  The team practices once a week and competes in meets on Friday afternoons, all at AMF Auburn (101 Southbridge St).  We host numerous teams in various levels of competition.  All are welcome, regardless of experience or skill level!

   

• Chess Club

  Moderator: Mr. Michael Gualtieri
  
  The Chess Club invites students of all skill levels to learn, practice, and compete in Chess. The Chess Club is open to chess players of all skill levels. During the year, the Chess Club will host a chess tournament that is open to all faculty and students. The winner of the tournament will be recognized as Saint John’s High School’s “Grand Master.” Learn chess and compete with your friends!

• Computer Gaming Club

  Moderator: Mr. Greg Blondin

• Computer Programming Club

  Moderator: Mr. Greg Blondin

• Culinary Club

  Moderator: Mr. Rob Vigeant

• DECA Business Club

  Moderator: Mr. Chris Benestad
  
  DECA is a club that teaches students how to operate in the world of business.  The four industries in which students can participate competitively are hospitality and tourism, business administration and management, finance, and marketing.  The club meets after school from 2:30 to 3;30 on Thursdays in room 107.  More information about DECA can be found at https://www.deca.org/

• Ethics Bowl

  Moderator: Mr. Kevin Browne
  
  

  The Saint John's High School Ethics Bowl is both a club and a team. Meeting every Monday afternoon to discuss real-life ethical dilemmas, students endeavor to discover common solutions to contemporary moral conflicts. The club helps students to develop skills in critical thinking, public speaking, and perhaps most importantly, the ability to listen to one another.

   

  The club also competes in the National High School Ethics Bowl Regional competition held at Saint Anselm College each February, with the chance to attend the National Championship held in April at the University of North Carolina

• History Club

  Moderator: Dr. Russ McClintock
  
  The History Club at Saint John's is an informal, noncompetitive group of students who enjoy reading and discussing history from all regions and time periods.  Students select their own topics of interest and present their findings to the club.  Recent topics have included the Swedish Empire, Japanese Imperialism in the 20th century, and the dropping of the atomic bomb.  Members also enjoy holding debates on topics selected by the group as well as playing history-related trivia games and other activities.  Meetings are held after school on Fridays, and attendance is purely voluntary.

• Horticulture Club

  Moderator: Mr. Al DeLuca

• HOSA

  Moderator: Mrs. Meta Foster
  
  HOSA is a program that allows students to become leaders in the global health community through service projects and participation in state-wide and national competitions.  Skills like leadership, self-confidence, and networking are strengthened to help kids in high school pursue careers in health professions.

• ICON

  Moderator: Mr. Michael Smith
  
  The ICON is a student literary magazine. Student editors select and edit poetry, fiction, essays, and artwork to create a highly polished literary magazine. The ICON is a showcase for a community of creative thinking at Saint John’s.

• Improv Club

  Moderator: Mr. Fred Borchelt
  
  The Improv Club is a popular club on campus that is open to all students who enjoy acting, humor, and improvisation. Members of the club are involved in various aspects of improvisational theater. The Improv Society puts on two featured shows each school year.

• Investment Club

  Moderator: Mr. John Berger
  
  The Investment Club's mission is to introduce students to the basics of personal finance and investing.  This mission is accomplished in multiple ways.  First, weekly meetings provide students the opportunity to learn about investing through student, moderator, and guest presentations.  Second, students can engage in multiple online investing challenges, with individual and group-led competitions.  Students also have the ability to propose, research, and present new investment ideas.  All students are welcome to join the club throughout the year.

• Leo Club

  Moderator: Mr. Renju Paul

• Liturgical Band

  Moderator: Mrs. Eileen Breeze

• Math Team - Freshman

  Moderator: Mr. Michael Gualtieri
  
  The Saint John’s Math Team enhances the problem solving abilities and further develops the mathematical talents of our students. The team competes on a local, regional, statewide, and national level. Competitions include the Worcester County Math League, New England Math League, Math Olympiad, American Mathematics Competition, State and New England math meets, Purple Comet Math Contest, WPI Competition, and the American Mathematics League Competition.

• Math Team - Varsity

  Moderator: Mr. Michael Gualtieri
  
  The Saint John’s Math Team enhances the problem solving abilities and further develops the mathematical talents of our students. The team competes on a local, regional, statewide, and national level. Competitions include the Worcester County Math League, New England Math League, Math Olympiad, American Mathematics Competition, State and New England math meets, Purple Comet Math Contest, WPI Competition, and the American Mathematics League Competition.

• Mock Trial

  Moderator: Mr. Christopher White
  
  The Mock Trial is a club sponsored by the Massachusetts Bar Association in which students study and prepare to present legal briefs in a courtroom setting. Students work intensely with several local attorneys in preparation for competition.

• Model United Nations

  Moderator: Mr. Charles Abdella
  
  One of the most popular and longest-running clubs at Saint John’s, Model United Nations is a club which is interested in debating and resolving issues which face our world. The club simulates the real U.N. and discusses international affairs while working together to broker reasonable solutions to complex problems. MUN hosts a regional conference in October for nearly 400 area high school students and competes at the Brown University Conference in November and the University of Chicago UN Conference in February.

• Mountain Biking Club

  Moderator: Dr. John Morse
  
  All students interested in Mountain Biking should consider joining the Mountain Biking Club. The Mountain Biking Club plans routine trips to various State Parks and other trails to engage in the exhilarating sport of mountain biking. If you enjoy the outdoors and riding your bike, the Mountain Biking Club is for you!

• Movie Club

  Moderator: Dr. Russ McClintock
  
  The Movie Club at Saint John's is an informal, noncompetitive group of students who enjoy discussing movies, movie news, and the movie industry.  Students share and discuss new and upcoming movies and industry news and rumors.  Members also enjoy holding debates on topics selected by the group as well as playing movie-related trivia and other games.  Meetings are held after school on Mondays, and attendance is voluntary.

• National Honor Society (NHS)

  Moderators: Ms. Margie Coggins, Mr. David Wentzell

• Orthodox Christian Fellowship Club

  Moderator: Fr. Paul Zuñiga

• Peace of Mind Club

  Moderators: Eileen Dwyer, Brenda Hayden, Matt Zaterka

   

  The Peace of Mind Club was created out of the desire to help smash the stigma of mental illness at St. John's and the greater community.  We have combined our messaging from groups like The Herren Project, Active Minds, and Kyles Cares, to name a few.  Through group projects, schoolwide initiatives, guest speakers, and positive messaging we hope to prove to the community that there is hope and Pioneers are never alone.

• Philosophy Club

  Moderator: Dr. Michael Colebrook
  
  The Saint John's Philosophy Club meets weekly to explore the greatest ideas of the greatest minds. In a Socratic spirit, students read short excerpts of original texts from the major figures in the history of philosophy. We seek to cultivate wonder in the pursuit of wisdom, carrying on the contemplative tradition, of which Xaverian education is a part. Depending on the year, students explore ancient, medieval or modern thinkers' views on the various questions and disciplines within philosophy: epistemology, natural philosophy, metaphysics, logic, and especially politics and ethics. While grounded in the Western tradition from Plato and Aristotle through St. Thomas Aquinas, we explore the Eastern traditions also, and look for common themes between cultures. New members are always welcome throughout the year, as the Great Conversation which began thousands of years ago continues today at Saint John's.

• Photography Club

  Moderator: Mrs. Michelle Michel
  
  The Photography Club helps bring together students who cherish the world of photography. The club meets once a week to discuss both the art of photography and to compare pictures that have been taken over the last couple of weeks. The goal is not to have the best pictures each week, but to learn from one another about what makes for a good picture. Members learn to establish different techniques of photography by using different shutter speeds, focal lengths, and ISO speeds to their own liking. The Photography Club gives its members the opportunity to tell a story with their pictures and keep memories forever, as a picture truly speaks a thousand words.

• Ping Pong Club

  Moderator:  Mr. Jim Woodmansee
  
  The Ping Pong Club is open to all students interested in playing table tennis. Students gather weekly to relax with friends and improve their skills.  No experience is necessary, paddles are provided. New members are always welcome.

• Powerlifting Team

  Moderator: Mr. Steve Davis
  
  Powerlifting training begins in early October for the January meet held on campus which begins the competition season. Competitions continue through the Massachusetts State Meet in May. The primary lifts associated with powerlifting include squat, bench press, and deadlift.

• PRISM

  Moderators:  Ms. Jennifer Hanson, Dr. Jennifer Wig
  
  PRISM is a Student Resource Group for LGBTQ+ students and all those who support them. Join us to build community and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. We meet every week on Wednesdays at 2:45. We hope to see you there and new members are always welcome.

• Robotics Club

  Moderator: Dr. Edward Tonelli,
  
  Saint John's Robotics Club is for people sharing an interest in problem solving, engineering, and robotics.  We meet once a week after school and solve problems with 3D virtual design, building, and programming.  You can expect to work with 3D printers, Arduino kits, professional robotics prototyping parts, and CAD software.  All are welcome to jump in and see what engineering looks like in practice.

• Rock Climbing Club

  Moderator: Ms. Diane Mulligan

• Saint John's Network

  Moderator: Mr. Jim Woodmansee

  
  

  The Saint John’s Network (SJN) is a student-organized, video-journalism club dedicated to showcasing the unique life at Saint John’s. The club meets weekly to collaborate, plan, script, film, and produce video news clips that are published on SJ's YouTube Channel (Saint John’s Live). SJN gives its student-journalists the opportunity to explore interesting topics and have fun sharing those stories with the Saint John’s community. 

• Saint John's Theatre

  Moderator: Mr. Nathan Colby
  
  Saint John’s Theatre produces three fully staged shows each year.  Traditionally a Fall Musical and Spring Play are mounted in the new Robert R. Jay Performing Arts Center with full fly space and lowered orchestra pit.  A more intimate Winter Play is produced in the Saint John’s Black Box theatre, allowing students to further develop their technical and performance skills in a concentrated environment.  All Saint John’s students are encouraged to get involved with the theatre productions and can take part as an actor, member of stage crew or set construction.  High School age girls from the surrounding communities are encouraged to audition and all students are led by professional staff. 

• Science Club

  Moderator: Mrs. Meta Foster
  
  The Science Club gives students an opportunity to explore topics in science beyond what is taught in the school’s curriculum. It is open to interested students of any grade level. The Science Club will allow students supervised time and space to carry out independent research projects for publication and/or to be entered into science fairs and other competitions. It will also look for opportunities to engage younger students in the wider community through science and discovery. Finally, it will present lectures by visiting scientists, plan visits to research facilities, and host small group discussions on specialized topics.

• Ski and Snowboard Club

  Moderators: Mr. Kevin Browne, Mr. Ben Lizotte
  
  Students with any interest in skiing or snowboarding are encouraged to participate in the Saint John’s Ski and Snowboard Club. During each snow season, the Ski and Snowboard Club engages over 150 students. The club’s activities include a six-week after school program at Wachusett Mountain and four separate weekend day trips to other New England resorts, including Loon Mountain, Mount Snow, Sunday River, and one overnight weekend trip to Smuggler’s Notch.

• South Asian Alliance Group

  Moderator: Mr. Renju Paul
  
  South Asian Alliance Group (SAAG) celebrates the diversity of students from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds. The club is open to all who are interested in learning about South Asian cultures. We gather second Thursday of each month to celebrate the religious and cultural holidays of the people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sree Lanka, Nepal, and Bhutan. 

• Spikeball Club

  Moderator: Mr. Christopher Cowan

• Strategy and Games Club

  Moderator: Mr. Michael Marsan
  
  The Strategy and Games Club is open to all students interested in games and activities that have logic, reasoning, and good strategy as their central tenants.  Students gather weekly to collaborate and play such games as Risk, Settlers of Catan, and Magic the Gathering formats, including Pauper, Standard, and Commander.  Come and learn a new game, or bring your favorite to share and teach others.

• Student Activities Council (SAC)

  Moderators: Mr. John Berger, Mr. Ed Shoro
  
  The Saint John's Student Activities Council is tasked with creating, organizing, and implementing school-wide events that bring the school community together.  This group is elected by the student body and consists of three seniors, three juniors, and three sophomores.  Typical annual events include a dodge ball tournament, a flag football tournament, school dances, pep rallies, tailgating events, Thanksgiving Food Drive, and a blood drive.

• Studio Art Club

  Moderator: Mr. Michael McMenemy
  
  The Studio Art Club provides an additional opportunity to foster the formation of the creative and aesthetic side of the student. It is available to art students and students unable to fit art into their schedule. All participating students have space, materials, and guidance to work on projects and be creative.

• Tri-M Jazz Combo

  Moderator: Mr. Jim McCluskey
  
  

  The Tri-M Jazz Combo is a National Association for Music Education (NAfME) program that recognizes outstanding music students in secondary level school. Tri-M activities increase students' school and community involvement with music. Tri-M members are selected based on their academic and musical achievement as well as on their strength of character. The Music Honor Society is designed to recognize students for their academic and musical achievements, reward them for their accomplishments and service activities, and inspire other students to excel at music and leadership.

• Wiffleball Club

  Moderator: Mr. John Jeniski

• Wing and a Prayer

  Moderator: Mr. Christopher Whelan
  
  Once a week, students gather in Room 207 to pray the rosary and eat chicken wings. Whether the rosary is someone's daily habit or a new experience entirely, all are welcome!

• Worcester County Young Writers

  Moderator: Ms. Diane Mulligan
  
  The Betty Curtis Worcester County Young Writer’s Conference is a day-long event for 7-12th grade students from across central Massachusetts. During the day, students work in small groups with successful local writers and the day culminates in a keynote address from a nationally recognized writer. There is a leadership team of 8- 10 students who run the conference which draws over 100 students. The conference allows our students to interact with their peers from across the area who share a love of writing.

• Yearbook Committee

  Moderators: Mr. Michael McMenemy, Mr. Renju Paul
  
  The Yearbook Staff plans, develops, lays out, and publishes the Saint John’s High School Award Winning Yearbook. Tasks include writing and editing; planning the layout of the yearbook; developing the theme, end sheets, and divider pages; and taking and captioning photographs. All those who are interested in graphic and computer design, all artists, and anyone who just wants to take part in chronicling his time at Saint John's High School are encouraged to join.