2008-2009 Neuqua Valley Clubs

An extensive activity program is available at Neuqua Valley High School. Becoming a part of this program gives students an opportunity to promote their talents, cultivate friendships and gain a sense of belonging. All students are encouraged to participate in any of the many clubs or organizations. Any questions or interests in forming new clubs should be directed to Mr. Lance Fuhrer, Assistant Principal 428-6015.
 

Student Clubs and Activities

Angling Club - Mr. Mark Florence
The club is open to any students interested in fishing. Club activities include attending informational seminars held on and off campus and practicing angling skills in local waters. The club supports both the novice and skilled angler and meets throughout the year.

Anime Club - Mr. Nick Bielawski
Anime Club is dedicated to spreading the love of great animation to the Neuqua Valley community. Although the Anime Club specializes in Japanese animation, quality animation is viewed no matter its country of origin.

BPA - Business Professionals of America- Ms. Donna Shaw
BPA is open to any student enrolled in a business class or interested in Business Technology, Office Management, or Accounting Careers. Members may participate in area, state and national competitions and attend conferences, in addition to practicing leadership skills and social and civic awareness. Meetings are held weekly on Thursdays at 6:45 a.m.

Best Buddies - Ms. Sheila Mertes and Ms. Jorie Vondran
This is an organization that promotes activities and events with special needs students. Students attend school events together and work on school projects

Cheerleading - Ms. Liz Fehrenbacher
Cheerleaders practice total-school spirit and provide support for all athletes. Students interested in being cheerleaders need to attend clinics and tryouts in the Spring. Selected students will participate in scheduled athletic events, pep assemblies, and area competitions.

Chess Team – Mr. James Fox
Chess Club is open to all students. Instruction and recreational chess are available through the club as well as interscholastic competition. Meetings and competitions are held from October through February.

DECA - Mr. Joe Moreau
DECA is a business club designed for students who have taken or are currently enrolled in any business course. The purpose of DECA is to teach leadership and to involve students in business situations through the use of role-plays and research projects. There are opportunities for leadership conferences and competitions at the local, state, and national levels. Meetings are generally held on Thursdays at 6:45 a.m. in room D225.

Drama - Ms. Brigid Tileston
A variety of dramatic opportunities are offered to students. Each year, two main stage productions and a musical are offered. In addition, several studio productions may be staged including a children’s theater and student directed one-act plays Other opportunities for students to become involved in acting are offered through participation in the IHSA Speech, Group Interpretation, and Individual Events. Students are also encouraged to become involved behind the scenes in areas of technical theatre. The Drama Club coordinates activities and field trips such as to the Illinois Theatre Festival.

Drama Club and Thespians Society - Mr. Michael Rossi
The Drama Club provides support and assistance for all theatrical activities at NVHS through such behind the scenes activities as ushering, ticket and concessions sales, and publicity. Students also stage an annual holiday children’s theatrical production, raising funds to support workshops and events for the club. The Thespians Society provides a formal recognition for drama students for their work both on and off the stage through club and drama events.

Drama Club Tech Crew - Mr. Steve Fleming
The Tech Crew supports the NVHS theatrical activities by designing sets and props, lighting and sound, and providing back stage assistance.

FCCLA (Family, Career & Community Leaders of America)
This club is a vocational organization open to any student interested in home economics topics. The purpose is to promote personal growth, leadership, and awareness of home economics careers and related occupations. Students may participate in local, state, and national competition as well as conventions.

FEA - Future Educators Association- Ms. Jessica Fiday
In conjunction with Aurora University, the Future Educators Association provides a club for interested students to explore careers in education. Club members are invited to attend conferences, observe professionals, and participate in local teacher recognition activities.

Fine Arts Circle - Ms. Carol Kinast
Any interested student may join. The FAC is a student-led arts club centered on the enjoyment of and education in the arts. The activities planned depend on the interests of the people who participate in the group, within the mission guidelines. Fine Arts Circle is dedicated to exploring the arts in many visual and performing forms.

French Activities - Ms. Yvonne Fawell and Ms. Candace Scovel
French Club is an exploration of French culture, art, food and fun. Activities range from exclusive art expositions in downtown Chicago to cozy movie and fondue nights. Students in 3rd and 4th year French classes may be honored in the French Honor Society, a service based academic honor. Membership in the French Honor Society is by invitation based on academic performance.

Gay/Straight Alliance - Ms. Valerie Adams
The Neuqua Valley Gay/Straight Alliance is an organization focusing on human rights. GSA brings homosexual and heterosexual students together to promote a safe and accepting environment for all regardless of sexual orientation. The mission of this club is truly to combat homophobia in our school and to help achieve equality for all people. Activities include community service projects, fundraisers, and social events.

German Activities - Ms. Karen Rothlisberger
Any student interested in German culture may join the German Club. Activities include games, movies, cooking, festivals, and field trips. The German Honor Society is available to any student enrolled in 3rd or 4th year German classes who exhibits high academic performance. This club offers them recognition for their performance and dedication in German classes.

High Mileage Vehicle Club - Mr. Derek Kaminski
The club is open to any student interested in automotive technology. Students design and build a vehicle and compete against other midwestern schools to create the most efficient car design.

Interact - Ms. Gillian Schneider and Ms. Suzanne Smart
Any interested student may join. Interact is a service organization of young men and women. The club sponsors various projects throughout the year designed to help others less fortunate or those in need.

Interactive Gaming Club - Mr. Kevin Bullock
The mission of the Interactive Gaming Club is to organize and facilitate game enthusiasts of all kinds through our gamers’ network, friendly and accepting atmosphere and conversations. The members are dedicated to playing strategy, war, board, role-playing, miniature battle, and collectible game cards. All levels of skill and interest are welcome. Meetings are held after school on Thursdays in the Freshman Building Cafeteria.

Junior Exchange Club - Ms. Sarah Maher
The Junior Exchange Club is a service organization that works in conjunction with the Naperville Exchange Club. Students participate in such events as RibFest and other service activities, all focusing on providing assistance to programs targeting children.

Literary Magazine - Ms. Gillian Schneider
Students interested in creative writing and journalism may join. The staff meets throughout the year to select items and prepare for the May publication, The Essence, a collection of our school’s finest student writing and art. The Essence is submitted annually to the National Council of Teachers of English for evaluation.

Math Club -
Ms. Ardis Geighes, Mr. James Fox, Ms. Sheila Roth, Ms. Christina Gussman, and Mr. Bill Yanisch
Any student interested in participating in Math competitions may join. Practices are held weekly throughout the year. This club participates in both local and state competitions.

Model United Nations - Mr. Joe Polanski
Participation in the Model United Nations Club is open to all grade levels. Participants research current international events and debate related issues at two conferences held at the University of Chicago and the University of Illinois. Model UN offers a unique opportunity to study current news topics, develop high-level communication skills, and socialize with high-school students from across the United States.


Multicultural Club - Ms. Tania Moneim and Ms. Dipti Gupta
The Multi-Cultural Club is a student human relations task force. Students of various cultures and races meet together in order to learn from each other and learn about each other’s cultures. The Multi-Cultural Club hopes to improve the understanding and appreciation of Multi-Cultural heritages and improve the ability to see the perspectives of others.

NVHS Steppers - Ms. Samoane Jones and Mr. Rodney Jones
NVHS Steppers is a performing Step Troupe for students in their freshman through senior years. Membership is by auditions, which are held in the fall. Any student may audition. The troupe performs throughout the year at basketball games and at school events.

Operation Snowball - Mr. Spike Grosshuesch
Snowball is a substance abuse prevention/positive self-esteem / teen leadership program for all students. There are two weekend retreats each school year - one in the fall and one in the spring. Learn more about yourself while learning about others. .All five Naperville area schools participate on the weekends. Having fun and making good choices are what Snowball is all about.

Orchesis - Ms. Courtney Frame and Ms Sonja Vranjes
Orchesis, meaning the art of dancing in Greek, is a performance-based dance ensemble at Neuqua Valley High School. The ensemble is comprised of forty-six dancers, freshmen through seniors, who were selected through an audition process. The dancers study and perform many disciplines of dance including ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, lyrical, modern, and hip-hop. Orchesis members rehearse on Tuesday afternoons from September through February and Saturday mornings from December through February. Rehearsals focus on technique and prepare the dancers for performances throughout the year, including the 11th Annual Stage Production. Auditions will be held for the 2008-2009 school year in May.

Peer Mediators – Mr. Dave Brouwer, Ms Beth Packer, Ms. Pam Witt
Peer mediation allows students to communicate their differences and resolve conflict with the aid of other students. Mediators are also involved in a variety of outreach activities that promote a peaceful school climate.

Platinum Dance Troupe - Ms. Amanda Evans
Platinum Dance Troupe is a performing troupe for jazz and hip hop dancers in their freshman through senior years. Membership is by auditions, which are held in the spring for the following year’s troupe. The troupe performs throughout the year at basketball games with one stage production in the spring. Anyone can audition, but a dance background and knowledge of dance terminology are recommended.

PomPons - Ms. Margie Chambers and Ms. Lacy Hutchinson
PomPons are open to girls in their freshman through senior years. The squad performs at football and basketball games as well as pep assemblies. The squad enters IDTA competitions throughout the winter season n order to qualify for state competition. PomPons also participate in summer pom/dance camp and technique classes. Tryouts are held in the spring for the following year’s squad. The varsity squad can consist of freshmen through seniors. JV consists of freshmen and sophomores only.

REACH - Ms. Karen Pierros
REACH is an acronym for Responsible Educated Adolescents Can Help. The program’s emphasis is drug and alcohol education. REACH members are from area high schools and run a variety of service projects, including drug and alcohol prevention activities, community service projects, community fundraisers, leadership training events, and performances for eighth graders.

Rock Club - Mr. Joe Ruzicka
Rock Club meets every other week to talk about music, network with other musicians, and to jam. Rock Club is open to anyone interested in vocal, guitar, drums, bass or any related instrument. Other areas of interest include local band management, sound, promotions, and starting your own band.

Scholastic Bowl - Ms. Jan Bouldin and Mr. Mike Phelan
Scholastic Bowl is ideal for trivia buffs and Jeopardy lovers. Any interested student may join at any time from October through April. Matches are held with all conference schools, and other local schools. The team also participates in invitational tournaments and state tournaments.

School Newspaper - Ms. Jennie Blake
The Echo is produced monthly by the newspaper journalism class. Students with talent in writing, photography, design, and business are needed. To be on staff, students must apply to the newspaper journalism class and receive teacher approval.

Ski Club - Mr. Bill Roller
Neuqua Valley Ski Club is for the adventurous and hearty! We take two charter buses on four separate Saturday trips during the months of January and February (dates will be announced in the fall). In order to attend any of the trips, you must attend one of the informational meetings held in mid-November to pick up literature and waivers.

Spanish Activities – Ms. Lauren Sack
This club is for any student interested in the Spanish culture and language. Students need not be in Spanish class to join. Activities include having “fiestas,” going to Hispanic restaurants, playing games in Spanish, cooking and trying different Hispanic foods, watching movies in Spanish, and making crafts like piñatas. The Spanish Honor Society provides an opportunity to recognize outstanding scholarship in the study of Spanish. Spanish Honor Society members must be enrolled in their 3rd or 4th year of Spanish, be recommended by a teacher, have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.6, and have received an A in all Spanish classes taken during high school.

Speech - Group Interpretation - Ms. Brigid Tileston
This activity has its season from January through March with competition at the Regional and State level. Students who are interested in interpreting literature through acting and oral expression should become involved in this activity.

Speech - Individual Events - Mr. Mark Simon
All students are invited to audition for the Speech Team. The season begins with open auditions in October for all thirteen of the IHSA events: the acting duets, the interpretations, the readings, the comedic speeches, the oration, the impromptu events, and the radio speaking. Students are guided to the category in which they would have the most success. Rehearsals begin in mid-October and continue through the season. The Junior Varsity attends speech meets on Saturdays from December through January. The Varsity meets begin in November. Anyone on the team is eligible to make his or her way onto the Varsity team, the Conference team and/or
the Regional team and advance to the state championships in February.

Star Raiders - Mr. Spike Grossheusch
Star Raiders is for any student willing to make the commitment to remain drug and alcohol free the entire school year and to be a positive role model to the younger students in Indian Prairie School District by promoting a healthy life style. Star Raiders will celebrate Red Ribbon Week in October and will have the opportunity to visit 1st – 5th grade students during March, as well as to participate in other community service projects.

Student Council - Ms. Karyl Grecu and Ms. Jen Yavorski
This organization is for students who are interested in leadership roles in their school. A six member executive board represents the student body, while each class elects four officers and approximately fifteen representatives. All student council members aid in organizing, developing, improving, and implementing activities. Many activities promote both school and community involvement. Full student council meetings are held once each month during the school day in Room C202, and class meetings are held every Tuesday at 6:45 a.m.

Class Sponsors

Freshman/Class of 2011
Ms. Sandi Flanders
Ms. Mart O’Connor

Class of 2009
Ms. Julie Santangelo
Mr. John Hanson

Class of 2010
Mr. Chris Cebrzynski
Ms. Becky Noonan

Class of 2008
Ms. Beth Knuth
Mr. Dan Stadt


TV Production Club - Ms. Lisa Traut and Mr. John Gelsemino
Students in this award winning club produce, direct, and at times, star in their own video productions. Additionally, they film, produce taping of school club activities, meetings, athletic events, and productions.

Urban Arts Club
The Urban Arts Club (UAC) is for any student looking for a safe and positive environment to enhance their creative talents. Students will focus on building a strong and healthy community by using the elements of break dancing, spoken word, mural art, and urban/cultural music. The UAC hosts club fundraisers, school events, and participates in many school performances. The UAC meets once a week at the freshman building.

V.I.C.A./SKILLS U.S.A.- Mr. Mark Rose
V.I.C.A. (Vocational Industrial Clubs of America/Skills U.S.A.) is an organization committed to the support of Applied Technology Education in the United States. This club participates in regional, state, and national competitions in Applied Technology subjects. Members include students from Architectural Drafting, Automotive Technology, Computer Aided Drafting and Design (CADD), Construction Technology, Drafting and Design, Electronics Technology, Small Gas Engines Technology, and Woods Fabrication Technology. Students also have the opportunity to participate in the AAA Ford Troubleshooting Contest.

Yearbook - Ms. Diane Tancredi
The yearbook staff is for students who enjoy reporting, writing, and design. An interest or background in computers is also a plus. To be on staff, students must apply to the yearbook journalism class, receive teacher approval, take a writing test, and participate in an interview process.

Youth & Government - Ms. Kelli Tufo-Jarnagin and Tammy Schutzenhofer
Youth and Government is a program co-sponsored with the YMCA for students interested in the various aspects of Illinois State Government. Student legislators, attorneys, lobbyists, pages, and members of the press prepare for the Model Youth Legislature and Court, which meets in Springfield each March. There, students literally take over the seat of the government debating bills, arguing and judging cases, and reporting the news of the day. Youth and Government is open to Sophomores through Seniors and members must be prepared to meet regularly and work closely in teams.


Music Activities

Chamber Singers - Ms. Anne Kasprzak
This co-curricular women’s ensemble involves approximately 32 soprano and alto voices in 9th-12t grade. Students must be enrolled in a curricular vocal ensemble, but not a member of the WildScats. These students will have the opportunity to explore a wide variety of challenging literature. Literature may include madrigals, motets, upper level classical literature, and other literature students might not have the opportunity to work on in their curricular choirs. The ensemble meets for two hours every Monday.

Flag Corps - Mr. Mark Duker
Female students interested in performing dance routines with the Marching Wildcats during their fall season may audition for available spots in May. The Flag Corps performs at home football games, marching band festivals, and parades. Athletic awards are given upon successful completion of the season. Scholarships to summer flag camps are available for leaders of the Flag Corps.

Jazz Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble and Swing Band - Mr. William Jastrow, Mr. Jonathan Lauff, and Mr. Charles Staley
Any student participating in a curricular music ensemble may audition for one of our instrumental jazz groups. Students will be placed in ensembles according to their ability and experience. Emphasis is placed on improvisation and the performance of various jazz styles. These groups perform throughout the community, in our schools, and at jazz festivals. In February, the jazz bands and the WildScats perform for a swing dance.

Marching Band - Mr. Jonathan Lauff
This group is open to every band member and meets after school in the fall. Performances for this group include home football games, marching band festivals, and parades.

Neuqua Valley Symphony Orchestra - Mr. Charles Staley and Mr. Richard Bauer
Meeting every Tuesday evening, this large symphony orchestra will consist of no more than 64 string and 30 wind and percussion students. Students enrolled in curricular ensembles are invited to audition for acceptance into this orchestra. This group will perform compositions by Beethoven, Dvorak, Copland, Mussorgsky, and Kalinnikov.

Neuqua World Voices - Mr. Ryan Rimington
Neuqua World Voices offers students an authentic and compelling means for acquiring transcultural insight and understanding. Through intimately experiencing multi-cultural music, students will recognize that people from all cultures create and value music. The club is open to all students, regardless of enrollment in a curricular choir. A voice screening/audition will be held at the beginning of the school year from which the choir will be chosen. Anticipated size is 85-110 voices.

PEP Band
The PEP Band promotes school spirit and excitement through music. The band primarily plays at boys and girls basketball games, although other performance opportunities arise. Any band member is eligible for membership.

Steel Band – Ms. Elizabeth DeLamater
The Steel Band explores music from the Caribbean. Using a rhythm section and steel drums, this ensemble is multi-cultural and invites the participation of students with a strong sense of rhythm. Students audition for this group in the fall. Participation in a curricular music ensemble is required.

Wildcat Fiddlers -Jennifer Silverston and Lori Lauff
Fiddle tunes have been written about anything and everything but there is a strong tendency in fiddle composers to commemorate in music people who have a significant place in the community. A wealth of tunes has been written not only about people but also about historical events, the supernatural, prohibition, and disasters. What fun! The Wildcat fiddlers will explore this music with vigor and enthusiasm. This is a non-auditioned group and will meet on Mondays from 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

WildScats Vocal Jazz - Mr. Jay Kellner and Mr. Ryan Rimington
WildScats is a music performance ensemble that focuses on the stylization of jazz and swing that is open to all grades with tryouts held in the spring. The WildScats has two performing groups: blue and gold. They perform with the jazz and swing bands, community music groups, and at NVHS events. Practices are held weekly during the early evening.


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