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.

The French club is designed to bring elements of French culture to our school environment. In addition, it offers its participants a chance to travel to Europe every other year, which is an activity shared with Villa Maria Academy.

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.

Mr. Alesso

The Acapella Club will give the talented, motivated students at Villa a chance to participate in a unique kind of music performance. The club will let students who are interested in singing, creating harmonies, and learning to perform and practice this newly popular form of music. Acapella is music created with only the voice, without instrumental accompaniment.

Mr. Strasser

Are you interested in the night skies, the twinkling stars, the wandering planets, and journeys to destinations light years away? Do you want to know the stories behind Ursa Major, Orion, and many other constellations? Join us in our meetings! We watch movies about space travel, visit local planetariums, and are planning a possible trip next year to the Black Forest Star Party in eastern Pennsylvania, possibly the best place in the state to view the stars. We may also try to do the same at Presque Isle. So, if you look up at night and are filled with wonder, come to our first meeting in the last week of September.

If you like to read, this is the club for you. Students read a list of 24 books and then compete in a quiz-bowl type competition in March as two teams of 10. The competition is fun, but competitive--testing your knowledge of plot, characters, setting, symbols, style. etc.

The Bio-Ethics Club is designed to allow students to discuss views on politics, religion, and science in a safe and fun environment. Students will be reviewing and discussing current, hard-hitting topics as well as viewing current programs that push the boundaries of science and religion. All are welcome to take part in this amazing journey through ethics! Please join us for food, friends, and bio-ethics awesomeness!

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.

Join the newest, most exciting club of the year! Villa’s Culinary Club consists of anything and everything related to FOOD. Learn where food comes from, how food is processed, and how to make your favorite dishes. We will meet once a month for cooking demonstrations, restaurant dining experiences, and to tour food manufacturing plants and distribution centers. We will also learn and discuss the benefits of making choices based on nutrition and sustainability. Our agenda each month will be based on club members’ interests and requests, and each member will receive her own Villa Culinary Club apron.

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.

Mr. Baier

If you are taking French as a foreign language and if you are interested in the French culture, this might be the club for you. We will also discuss plans to visit a French speaking country in the future.

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!

Mrs. Meleason

The Villa Model UN Club is a participating member of the Gannon University Model UN program. Each year Gannon assigns Villa and other participating schools a nation to represent at their Model UN session in November. Starting in September, the delegates from area schools attend evening bloc meetings to formulate proposals for consideration at the Gannon UN session. In November schools from Erie, Buffalo, Pittsburgh, Cleveland and Canada, gather for a Friday evening and all-day Saturday session of the UN at Gannon. Prizes and scholarships are awarded to individuals and delegations at the session. Participating in Villa's Model UN means learning about other countries, current issues and peaceful coexistence, as well as good times and new friendships with a variety of delegates from different schools. The club meets after school (September through November) and one evening during the week (7:00-9:00) October through November).

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.

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!

Fr. Mike, Mr. Alesso, Mrs. Ihrig

Villa is chalked full of students who are gifted in the art of performance. Because of this, we offer four theatrical productions each academic year. If you can act, sing and/or dance, this is the extracurricular activity for you! If you have a talent for the visual arts, you can get involved in designing and creating the sets used in these productions. And, if you have the talent to work back stage or in the orchestra pit, the school musical is the place for you! The more students that get involved, the better the productions. Everyone is welcome!