Not sure how to be more involved in school activities? Sentinel has a variety of clubs to participate in! Club participation is important on many levels. Clubs can give students a reason to apply their education to real world opportunities, reinforcing what they have already learned.
It has also shown that participation in extracurricular activities will increase student’s engagement in class or their education in general. Clubs and other extracurriculars provide students with a motivator to attend school that can help to improve their grades, attendance, and social lives.
Extracurriculars also play a decisive role in admission to opportunities such as college, internships, and jobs; they can set a student apart from other applicants.
Eco Club:
Organizer: L. Manzo
When: Wednesdays at lunch in room 119. Recycling Thursday mornings.
Eco-club is a club for students interested in the environment, volunteering, and community activism. Students help to recycle and do service projects, such as gardening and composting. They are able to letter, as well as get a cord their senior year for avid participation. Manzo enjoys leading the club because she “cares a great deal about the Earth and the changes and supports students can make to keep the Earth intact and healthy”. She wants to help students increase political participation through service learning.
Envirothon:
Organizer: L. Manzo
When: Meets as needed before a competition in the spring in room 119.
This is a club based on the preparation for, and participation in, a competitive national event called ‘Envirothon’. In this club, students divide into five topics (Wildlife, Soils, rangeland, water ecology and forestry), and study for formal assessments on each topic that take place at the state competition. They also prepare themselves to ‘solve a thematic problem’, also a part of the state competition. The students who do well in this club are the students who care about the environment, agriculture, and sustainable technology. Students who have taken Wildlife Biology or AP Environmental Science usually enjoy it. Manzo helps facilitate this club because she loves the “idea of innovation and problem solving leading to future solutions in the environment”. Students looking to join should reach out to Ms. Manzo.
Knitting/Crochet Club:
Organizers: Kristy Bixler and Stephanie Swigart
When: Monday at lunch in the Library
The Knitting and Crochet club is a space where Spartans can experience the stress-relieving benefits of knitting and crocheting during their busy school day. Yarn arts can foster problem solving skills, mindfulness, and stress relief, as students count stitches and focus on being present. Mrs. Bixler and Ms. Swigart host this club in order to “foster a sense of community, and offer a social outlet where students can build friendships while learning and sharing their ideas, talents, and creations”. All students are welcome and supplies are provided.
Chemistry Club:
Organizer: Elizabeth Rugh
When: Every other Monday at lunch in room 118.
Students perform chemical experiments with the help of Mrs. Rugh in order to better understand the reactions taking place, and have fun doing it! They are able to choose experiments that they are interested in and find real world applications of chemistry. The club is open to all students with an interest in science, and supplies for the experiments are provided.
Art Club:
Organizer: Heather Fortner
When: Mondays at lunch in room 186.
Students do a variety of art projects including making posters and decorations for school events such as the goat game. They also choose their own art interests and work on their projects together during lunch. Everyone is encouraged to join and learn more about different styles of art. Supplies are provided for students to make their visions come true.
Robotics:
Organizer: Brian Boot and Daniel Lande
When: Monday after school at the old administration building.
Robotics focuses on creating robots to compete in FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) robotics competitions throughout the year and has a wide variety of positions including fabrication, programming, and business. STEM oriented students work together to do projects like craft fairs, as well as build high-level robots and further their knowledge through hands-on work. The team is open to all students within the MCPS district and requires both fundraising and volunteer hours to travel.
Key Club:
Organizer: Katie Moser and Joe Fischer
When: Wednesdays at lunch in 247
The Key club is a community service based club that gives students the opportunity to contribute to the school, as well as the larger community. At Sentinel, they run events, such as the blood drive and help to organize and plan prom every year. Anyone is encouraged to join and participate in volunteer opportunities.
Theater Club:
Organizer: Katie Cassidy
When: Thursday at lunch in the theater
Students assist the Sentinel Theater Department in planning shows, fundraisers, community service projects, and social events throughout the year. Some of those projects consist of the Thespian Festival in June, “out shows” all times of the year, and in the spring, they are doing a musical. Vice President, Savannah Pfile said, “There’s a lot of visiting too and we also play games which range from improv, to movement and memory games”.
World Affairs:
Organizer: Jena Burke
When: At lunch room 239
Students will study current events and prepare for a variety of competitions related to the world. Those include Model United Nations, ConoQuest, and Academic WorldQuest. During many students’ traveling opportunities, they have also been awarded as part of these competitions. They have traveled to Washington DC, Japan, and Germany.
Spartanettes:
Organizer: Sonja Funk
When: Zero period, Tuesday and Friday in the choir room.
Spartanettes is an advanced treble choir. Students have to be enrolled in a choir class, and audition for it. They rehearse their music for concerts, special travel events, and gigs.
Spartanaires:
Organizer: Sonja Funk
When: Zero period, Monday and Wednesday in the choir room.
Spartanaires is an advanced vocal jazz SATB. Similarly to Spartanettes, students have to be enrolled in a choir class already, and then audition for it. They also rehearse their music for various concerts, travel events, and performances.
Amnesty International Club:
Organizer: Chelsea Johnson
When: Tuesday at lunch in room 240.
Amnesty International is a student-run club and focuses on human rights advocacy by reviewing international cases of human rights. Each week, the club President chooses a case and encourages members to sign a petition. The petitions can be in support of various causes, rights, or individual people and are not limited to any country or issue. Johnson adds that it is “the only Amnesty International club in the entire state of Montana”. She also says that it promotes awareness about Banned Books Week, with reading recommendations and International Human Rights week through participation in the Write for Rights letter writing campaign.
Chess Club:
Organizer: Lisa Anderson
When: Tuesday and Wednesdays at lunch in room 209.
Chess Club is welcome for anyone to join, no matter the student’s skill level of chess. Students meet together to enjoy their lunch, each other’s company, and play chess.
Student Government:
Organizer: Erika Martin and Lisa Anderson
When: Monday at lunch in room 247.
Student Government students help Sentinel’s student body be more aware of what’s going on and encourage school spirit. Students participating in the club have to get 15 hours of volunteer work by helping out the club for it to be credible for colleges, etc.. For example, they facilitate events like fireside, homecoming, and the GOAT game.
