Clubs & Organizations

Academic Sports League team members study the materials assigned by the Academic Decathlon committee for the year's competitions--there is a different theme each year, covering Art, Music and Literature: Social Studies; Economics; Science and Mathematics; and Super Quiz. There are three local competitions with tests on the materials, as well as components for personal interview and speech. All students are welcome to join.

The Campus Ministry of Cathedral Prep aims to bring students to a closer relationship with Jesus Christ through opportunities for prayer, community, and service.

Mr. Bhatti

The debate team combines research and communication skills with strategic argumentation over government actions. The team competes locally, regionally, and nationally at little cost to the students. Competitive debate has been recognized as one of the most valuable activities that high school students can do, with educational benefits that cut across classroom subjects and generate skills necessary for a post-secondary education.

Mr. Moffett & Ms. Lion

Mission Statement: “To promote diversity, cultural awareness, and give support to students and staff on multi-cultural issues at Prep-Villa and the community. The group takes a stand against prejudice, hatred, and promotes an appreciation and understanding of respect for others, their distinctions, and education for all in our community.”

Objectives:

• To promote a cultural awareness and recruit a diverse membership.
• To help secure a more unified student body and community through multicultural education.
• To work for the elimination of prejudice and discrimination in an effort to confront racism.
• To help educate the student body and community to help reduce the stereotyping that exists.
• To help educate the student body in understanding the importance of cultural diversity.
• To provide an understanding of respect in the school and community as a whole.
• To provide culturally enriched opportunities for the members, school, and community.

Mr. Parsons

The Key Club is a community outreach organization that is dedicated to help make our school and community a better place. We are dedicated to helping local various organizations and running various fundraisers and the annual Christmas Meal for the Hungry which feeds hundreds of local families.

Fr. Mike Demartinis & Mr. Peck

Mission Club is based on service and helping others. Its goal is to empower students to help change lives through philanthropy and kindness.

The National Honor Society is a national organization which recognizes outstanding scholarship, leadership, character, and service. Students who meet the rigorous standards are offered membership during their junior year.

NHS selection procedure

Membership in the National Honor Society is a privilege, not a right. Students do not apply for membership in the National Honor Society; rather, they provide information to be used by the National Honor Society Faculty Council to support their candidacy for membership. Selection to the National Honor Society is based on four criteria: scholarship, leadership, character and service.

During the third quarter, sophomores and juniors attaining a cumulative QPA of 4.35 receive a letter regarding their scholastic eligibility for membership. There will be a mandatory meeting for all students who received a letter. At the meeting, students will receive a Student Activity Form that must be submitted by the deadline; they will also receive guided instruction on how to complete these forms. No forms will be accepted after the deadline.

Faculty and administration evaluate students on their service, character and leadership, and the National Honor Society Faculty Council will review all evaluations and select students for membership. Membership in National Honor Society is not automatically granted to all students with academic eligibility. Faculty Council also considers students’ disciplinary and attendance records. The components of leadership, character and service are equally important.

Students will be notified by mail of the selection decision. Students who are selected to National Honor Society will receive information about the induction ceremony and the obligations of membership in NHS. Students not selected, will also be notified by mail.

The Peer Tutoring Program is designed to help those students who are having difficulties in a course because of a particularly challenging subject matter, gaps in their preparation, loss of time due to illness, or other factors. Peer tutors are students (10-12) who have performed well in specific courses and who have been trained in tutoring policies and techniques. Our peer-tutoring program is available to all students. It is run after school.

Mr. Biebel & Dr. McLaughlin

The VMA and Cathedral Prep Ski club meets every Friday night during the months of January and February. We take a bus to Peek 'N' Peak to ski. We also organize a ski trip to Vermont each year usually over President's weekend. It is a 3 day trip in which the club skis 2 days.

Ms. Lion & Mr. Baltzer

Student Council promotes learning, spiritual growth, and social responsibility at Prep by bringing students together for specific activities, causes, or interests.

The Video Game Club is a club that offers one to two video game tournaments per month after school at Prep. Students compete against each other at these tournaments and the winner of each tournament receives a prize. All different genres of games are played at these tournaments: first-person shooters, sports games, fighting games, racing games, etc. There is no cost to the student to be involved in this club

Students in this club prepare to compete in the United States Academic Decathlon. Students compete in literature, art, music, math, science, interview, essay, super quiz, social studies and speech. There is an assigned theme and readings that change each year. There are numerous scholarship opportunities connected with this competition. Any students in grades 9-12 may join. We compete in the 3 local competitions. We have practices, but students should also be prepared to study on their own. If you enjoy the challenge of academic work, this club may be for you.

Fr. Mike

The campus ministry program coordinates all aspects of the faith life of our school community. While a student board of seniors facilitates the program, there are numerous ways you can be involved as an underclassmen. You can participate in being a server or reader at mass, attend the VMA youth group, join the VMA prayer team, or attend events sponsored by the diocese and supported by our school.

Ms. Kuntz

Want to try cool experiments you don’t get to do in class? Ever see a medicine commercial and wonder what all those science words mean? Thinking about a future career in science? Then Chemistry Club is the place for you! We will meet once a month in room 307 to experiment, talk science and discover what cool things you can do with chemistry. You don’t need to have taken chemistry to join us.

Our mission: To educate students in the culinary arts, providing insight into the art of cooking/baking and the techniques involved. This club will also add to the independence of ladies learning a basic skill of life.

Mr. Moffett & Ms. Malue

Mission Statement: “To promote diversity, cultural awareness, and give support to students and staff on multi-cultural issues at Prep-Villa and the community. The group takes a stand against prejudice, hatred, and promotes an appreciation and understanding of respect for others, their distinctions, and education for all in our community.”

Objectives:

• To promote a cultural awareness and recruit a diverse membership.
• To help secure a more unified student body and community through multicultural education.
• To work for the elimination of prejudice and discrimination in an effort to confront racism.
• To help educate the student body and community to help reduce the stereotyping that exists.
• To help educate the student body in understanding the importance of cultural diversity.
• To provide an understanding of respect in the school and community as a whole.
• To provide culturally enriched opportunities for the members, school, and community.

Sr. Stuckert

The GREEN TEAM helps everyone take care of the earth or as Pope Francis says, “Care of our Common Home”.  We work on projects to challenge students and staff to be environmentally friendly.

Mrs. Grenci, Ms. Malue, Mrs. Tucker, and Fr. Mike

Interact is a Rotary-sponsored service club for young people ages 14 – 18 to serve both local and global needs. The program gives young people an opportunity to participate in fun, meaningful service projects such as Operation Christmas Child, Box Village, and the charity basketball tournament all while developing leadership skills and meeting new friends.

Through service activities, Interactors learn the importance of:

-Developing leadership skills and personal integrity

-Demonstrating helpfulness and respect for others and advancing international understanding and goodwill.

-Serving our brothers and sisters in Christ

Mr. Strasser

Veni, Vide, Vice!

Want to wear a toga, eat scrumptious Roman foods, and talk in the most amazing language of all time? Join the Latin Club! We have many plans and ideas for activities, and welcome your input. So, slip on your sandals, put on your toga, and don your olive crown.

Vos omnes mox videbimus! Valete Omnes!

Mr. Alesso

Music Ministry is made up of students and staff who serve the Villa community by leading the music for liturgies, para-liturgies and prayer services. Music ministry is open to all students to join the choir and instrumentalists to share their talents! Listen to the announcements for practice times.

Miss Cecchetti

Do you love to make art? Are you interested in showing the world your beautiful artwork? Then NAHS may be the place for you! The National Art Honor Society is a national organization designed for high school students to use art to educate and involve their community, both school and local, in the process of creating artwork. Once you have taken a minimum of one semester of an art class, you are eligible to join NAHS. You must have earned no less than a 90% in that course, and you must maintain an average GPA of 3.0 or higher. Freshmen may apply to join after the fall semester; upperclass students may apply at anytime, however, students will only be inducted in the spring of the current school year. Please see Mrs. Alesso for applications or with questions.

The National Honor Society is an organization of students who possess the qualities of scholarship, leadership, character and service. The NHS at Villa functions as an exemplary service organization, encouraging members to be involved in several annual school and community projects. Some activities include a Blood Drive, a Spring Fashion Show, Adopt-a-Highway three times a year, and Honors Assemblies.

NHS selection procedure

Membership in the National Honor Society is a privilege, not a right. Students do not apply for membership in the National Honor Society; rather, they provide information to be used by the National Honor Society Faculty Council to support their candidacy for membership. Selection to the National Honor Society is based on four criteria: scholarship, leadership, character and service.

During the third quarter, sophomores and juniors attaining a cumulative QPA of 4.35 receive a letter regarding their scholastic eligibility for membership. There will be a mandatory meeting for all students who received a letter. At the meeting, students will receive a Student Activity Form that must be submitted by the deadline; they will also receive guided instruction on how to complete these forms. No forms will be accepted after the deadline.

Faculty and administration evaluate students on their service, character and leadership, and the National Honor Society Faculty Council will review all evaluations and select students for membership. Membership in National Honor Society is not automatically granted to all students with academic eligibility. Faculty Council also considers students’ disciplinary and attendance records. The components of leadership, character and service are equally important.

Students will be notified by mail of the selection decision. Students who are selected to National Honor Society will receive information about the induction ceremony and the obligations of membership in NHS. Students not selected, will also be notified by mail.

Mrs. Ihrig

The National Honor Society for Dance Arts™ (NHSDA) is a program of the National Dance Education Organization, created to recognize outstanding artistic merit, leadership, and academic achievement in students studying dance in public and private schools in K-12 education, dance studios, cultural/community centers, performing arts organizations, and post-secondary education. 

Mr. Bell

Do you love Villa? Then Pep Club is for YOU!!!! Pep Club members plan events to support our sisters, host and produce pep rallies, and organize student cheering sections. While anyone can root for the Blue and White, pep club members provide the necessary organization and creative insights needed to make ordinary events extraordinary.

In order to join Pep Club, prospective new members must attend a club workshop. Theses workshops are scheduled for the beginning of the year but can be arranged at any point throughout the school year.

For information about joining Pep Club, please contact Mr. Bell.

Mr. Check and Ms. Malue

If you like the outdoors and snowy weather, then the Ski Club is the organization for you! Membership is open to all interested students. Students ride a chartered bus to ski at Peek'n Peak on eight Friday evenings beginning in January. Detailed information regarding times and cost will be given to all interested students at the mandatory meeting in October.

Learn how to win arguments and influence people! Even your parents! Join the Speech and Debate Club and never lose an argument again! Villa belongs to the National Catholic Forensic League and this year will join the Pennsylvania High School Speech League. Both leagues host tournaments which lead to the opportunity to qualify for the State Tournament and the National Tournament. Debaters will also attend tournaments in Pittsburgh and at high schools in our regions. Students may compete in Public Forum Debate (2-person debate on questions of public policy) or Lincoln Douglas Debate (one person debate.) The Speech and Debate Club meets one day a week after school and tournaments occur at various times throughout the year beginning in October.

Mrs. Falk

Student Council acts as a liaison between the student body and Administration. Although the positions of officers, home room representatives and members-at large are elected by the students, there are numerous opportunities for student involvement. All Student Council meetings are open to students, and everyone is welcome and encouraged to participate in all our activities and programs such as Homecoming, Wish Week, MORP—to mention a few. We are here to serve you!