Other Groups & Clubs at SMCS
SMCS students enjoy a plethora of activities in service, robotics, academics, forensics and more! SMCS considers activities outside the classroom to be so important to the development of a well-rounded student that we refer to them as co-curricular, rather than extracurricular.
Athletics and fine arts are only part of the offerings that help students explore their interests and develop their knowledge and skills. And, our smaller population means that students can engage in a variety of co-curriculars at once. As a result, they are not limited to one area of interest or skill development. A fee may be required to participate in some of these programs, but financial assistance is always available.
The high school and middle school co-curricular athletics are supported by the SMCS Booster Club.
Extracurricular Clubs & Programs
Environmental Activists Respecting The Habitat (EARTH) Club
- Questions? Mrs. Opsteen-Van Dyke, [email protected] & Mr. Ron DuVernay, [email protected]
- With the help of EARTH Club, SMCHS has been designated a Green and Healthy School
The Environmental Activists Respecting Their Habitat (EARTH) Club is composed of students who are committed to caring for the environment. Members of EARTH Club encourage recycling and environmentally friendly habits both at school and at home, and aim to further the environmental consciousness in our local community and our school.
Forensics
- Questions? Mrs. Wautlet, [email protected]
Team members compete in Wisconsin Forensic Coaches Association (WFCA) tournaments on four Saturdays, a conference meet and Wisconsin High School Forensic Association (WHSFA) sub district and district festivals. The season culminates with the WHSFA state meet in Madison. Students can compete in a variety of categories ranging from extemporaneous and oratorical speaking to solo and play-acting. The team forms in September, practices begin in October and competitions take place from January through April.
Global Outreach
Through this international program, St. Mary Catholic High School welcomes 2-3 students from an Eastern European country for an entire school year. The students often reside with SMCHS families, and while in the United States they improve personal knowledge of English and gain deeper understanding of the Catholic faith and western culture. As part of the program, the students make a commitment to return to their homelands to serve as leaders in re-integrating the faith into the community where it was once banned.
Key Club
- Questions? Mrs. Lauterborn, [email protected]
- More Information
Key Club, whose motto is “Caring–our way of life,” is an international high school service organization. Key Club members show they care about the people and communities around them by volunteering their time while working with others and meeting new friends. The Neenah-Menasha Breakfast Roundtable Kiwanis Club sponsors the SMCHS Key Club.
Math Team
- Questions? Mrs. Peterson, [email protected]
- More Information
The SMCHS Math Team is a member of the Fox Valley Math League. The team competes against other local schools, with the difficulty of questions ranging from algebra to pre-calculus, but all levels of students are encouraged to participate.
Mock Trial
- Questions? Mr. Verstegen, [email protected]
Students work with a faculty and volunteer attorney to prepare both the defense and prosecutorial sides of a legal case and participate in a mock trial, competing against other high school teams.
National Honor Society
- Questions? Mrs. Castagna, [email protected]
- More Information
The National Honor Society (NHS) is a national organization designed to honor students who have demonstrated excellence in scholarship, service, leadership, and character. Nominees must maintain a minimum GPA (3.8 as sophomores, 3.7 as juniors), be of good character and uphold principles of morality and ethics. They must also demonstrate good leadership and be involved in community service.
Retreats for Grade Schools
- Questions? Gail Hawley, [email protected]
St. Mary Catholic High School students have the opportunity to serve as retreat leaders for students from local grade and middle schools. Students commit to six lunch meetings to plan and prepare for the retreat and then lead the retreat on the designated date.
Student Activities Leadership Team (SALT)
- Questions? Matthew Schoultz, [email protected]
The mission of SALT is to enhance the overall activities climate at SMCHS. Its goal will be to unify the student body, staff, and the SMCMS community through service and activity promotion. Members will be expected to carry themselves as Zephyrs. Team members will lead/participate in a number of different activities throughout the school year such as the homecoming tailgate, pep rallies, and other activities that aim to improve our overall climate. We believe that giving our students a voice will have a very positive impact within our SMCS community.
Ski & Snowboard Club
- Questions? Mr. Post, [email protected]
The SMCHS Ski and Snowboard Club is club designed to give students the opportunity to explore outdoor winter adventure through the sports of skiing and snowboarding. The club welcomes students of all ability levels. Many students have learned to ski or snowboard on these trips. Annual trips include Nordic, Brule, Norway and Marquette Mountain. We travel to local hills on Thursday nights while longer trips are enjoyed on Saturdays.
STEM Club
- Questions? Chris Reitz, [email protected]
- More Information
The SMCS STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Club exists to foster students’ interest in areas of science and technology through enjoyable hands-on, inquiry-based activities. Mentors and students work together on projects in areas such as electronics, electrical engineering and aeronautics, with a strong educational component.
The award-winning robotics program which enjoys an excellent national reputation, prides itself on a history of strong student participation, knowledgeable industry mentors and generous donor support. Through hands-on learning with real world applications, students have the opportunity to study robot design, programming and gaming strategies. The SMCS STEM Club is open to all SMCHS students and is active throughout the school year. Teams from SMCHS regularly advance to national and world levels of robotics competition.
Student Council
- Questions? Mrs. Billings, [email protected] or Mrs. Stefanich, [email protected]
The mission of SMCHS’s student council is to promote student participation and leadership in school events. It is composed of 24 students, elected by their classmates, as well as other students who wish to participate. The entire student body elects the student council president (a senior), vice-president (a junior) and secretary (a sophomore). Each class also elects their own class officers. The student council is responsible for planning the three major social activities of the school year: Homecoming, Winterfest, and Prom, and for promoting school spirit and school service projects.
Teens for Life
The Teens for Life group at St. Mary Catholic High School meets regularly to plan various activities that further the call for the sanctity of life. The group participates in many activities that are planned outside our school community, such as the March for Life. Participation from parents is welcome.
VEX Robotics
- Questions? Kari Derks [email protected]
Award winning, with an excellent national reputation, the SMCHS VEX program prides itself on a history of strong student participation, knowledgeable industry mentors and generous donor support. Through hands-on learning with real world applications, students have the opportunity to study robot design, programming and gaming strategies. The program is open to all SMCHS students and is active throughout the school year. Teams from SMCHS regularly advance to national and world levels of competition.
Builders Club
- Questions? Maria Schmitz, [email protected]
Builders Club is a Kiwanis International middle school program focused on student-led service. This club meets once a month after school and all students are encouraged to participate.
Math Counts & Math Team
With practices and competitions from October through February, math team and Math Counts are open to all students who have an interest. Selected teams compete in the nationally sponsored Math Counts tournament, and others in meets sponsored by area schools. The purpose is to encourage students to have fun with math, while increasing math abilities and skills.
STEM Club VEX Robotics
- Questions? Kari Derks [email protected]
- More Information
The SMCS STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Club exists to foster students’ interest in areas of science and technology through enjoyable hands-on, inquiry-based activities. The award-winning robotics program which enjoys an excellent national reputation, prides itself on a history of strong student participation, knowledgeable industry mentors and generous donor support. Through hands-on learning with real world applications, students have the opportunity to study robot design, programming and gaming strategies.
SMCS STEM Club Robotics is open to St. Mary Catholic Middle School eighth graders (only), and is active throughout the school year. Teams from the high school team regularly advance to national and world levels of robotics competition.
Enrichment Program
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- Questions? Brianna Vergenz [email protected]
- More Information
Through the SMCS Enrichment Program, many groups and clubs, ranging from a girls running club to several STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) opportunities are available to help students develop skills and explore interests. Active Boy Scout and Girl Scout groups are available, as are other after-school opportunities that are run by parent volunteers.