Clubs & Activities

Academic Challenge is an activity for students interested in Mock Trial, Mock Campaign, Academic Games, and Quiz Bowl. Practice begins in September and continues through April, with competitions beginning in January. Any student in grade 9-12 may participate; Academic Challenge meets virtually this year to prepare for competitions (meetings days/times TBD). The advisor for this activity is Ms. Czejdo at MIHS in room 2-209. Please email czejdo@mtsd.org for more information.

Building teamwork, teaching leadership skills, growing friendships. Must be enrolled in JROTC to participate. Please email holmes@mtsd.org or nygaard@mtsd.org if interested or for more information.

AP Club aims to create a community of support for students in Honors and AP classes. You will get together with other students and talk about your classes, the best ways to study, time management, and test taking strategies. You will be able to share your frustrations and triumphs! Meetings will be via Google Classroom. Please email Mrs. Gibson at gibson@mtsd.org to sign up.

Do you love to make art? Are you a creative, expressive person who wants to make the world more beautiful? Art Club may be the place for you! This year, we will have a virtual club experience, hosted on Google Classroom, where we will post art activities you can complete at home, such as Ink-tober drawing prompts, video demonstrations, live Zoom meetings to plan for next year, crafting challenges and art contests. All students of all ability levels are welcome. Please email Mrs. Alesso at alesso@mtsd.org to be added to the group.

Boys Golf Club is for boys at MIHS and McDowell currently on the golf team or interested in participating/playing in the future. Students will be notified of meetings with Google Meet email Mr. Markiewicz at markiewicz@mtsd.org for more information.

The objective for McDowell’s DECA Marketing Club of America is to support the development of marketing and management skills in career areas such as hospitality, finance, sales and service, business administration, and entrepreneurship. Programs and activities are tailored to the specific career interest of students and include technical skills, basic scholastic and communication skills, human relations and employability skills, and a strong emphasis on economics and free enterprise. DECA also has local, state, and national competitions for members. This club will meet via ZOOM, email Ms. Pagano at pagano@mtsd.org or Mr. Bucholtz at bucholtz@mtsd.org for more information.

Dumbledore’s Army is for fun, energetic people who love things such as Harry Potter, Star Wars, Marvel, Disney, Lord of the Rings, and many other fandoms. We will engage in activities from many favorite fandoms such as creating artwork, re-reading sections of books, and debating. They are also open to many other possibilities and ideas. Students who are interested should email or speak to Mrs. Yelkovich at yelkovich@mtsd.org or Mr. Kern at kern@mtsd.org, so that they can access the Google Classroom.

Interested in playing on an Esports team or getting more information on what a team like that looks like? Then you've come to the right place! Visit our Esports page for more detailed information. If there's anything you cannot find, please email Mr. Burruss at burruss@mtsd.org.

Exposure is a student group created by Tolerance 101 students whose mission is to promote tolerance and spread awareness of global issues to the McDowell student body as well as the surrounding Millcreek community. The students of Exposure hope to raise awareness of current international issues and conflicts within the McDowell community and to encourage students to take action to raise further awareness and begin to be a part of the solutions to such conflicts. Exposure also hopes to create an accepting environment that fosters an appreciation of diversity. Exposure executes fundraisers and projects in order to fulfill their goal to educate others on world issues and help those in need. Meetings will be via Google Classroom and Google Meet. For more information, email Ms. Glass at glass@mtsd.org.

Activity to pair special needs students with their peers while forming very special friendships. This year we will be getting together for virtual events! Meeting times will vary with Ms. Cocolin and Ms. Donikowski at MIHS in room 6-200 and/or scheduled ZOOM Meetings. If interested or for more information email donikowski@mtsd.org or cocolin@mtsd.org.

The acronym “FIRST” stands for “For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology.” McDowell students are teamed up with professional engineers to build a functional robot in six weeks. They compete with the robot in regional and national competitions. Any student grades 9 through 12 may participate. Robot building begins in January with competitions in the spring. For more information, email Mr Bucholtz at bucholtz@mtsd.org.

Students who are interested in exploring the various aspects of the business world are invited to participate. The club will run mock investment activities, host guest speakers, technology seminars, and research business topics. Meetings will be ZOOM/Google Classroom. If interested, please email Ms Vergotz at vergotz@mtsd.org.

To join the GAC, you must be an 11th or 12th grade student and a member of a girl’s athletic team. Events on the GAC schedule include the Homecoming weekend (parade, selection of a queen, and the Homecoming Dance), and Walking for the Cause. Meetings may be held before or after school while events are being planned. More information to be available in January. If interested, please email Ms Pamela Dixon at pmiller@mtsd.org.

Last year the Garden Club worked to develop and maintain the flower garden outside the Little Theater, focusing on pollinator plants. We meet to plan and to work in the greenhouse planting seeds and propagating plants during the colder months. For now, our meetings will be on Google Meet. If you are interested in gardening and would like to join our Google Classroom and future meetings, please email Mrs. Taylor at jtaylor@mtsd.org.

German Club is open for current or previous German students looking to add more German into their day. From castles to coffee to competitions, German Club has plenty of cultural fun to offer. Please contact Ms. Crawford at crawford@mtsd.org for more information.

Welcoming ALL students interested in supporting the LGBTQ+ community! The idea behind the Gay-Straight Alliance is to generate school-wide awareness and education of the LGBTQ+ community. Various activities and awareness campaigns will be planned to promote the acceptance and the celebration of all people. The focus is on promoting an accepting, safe environment for all genders and orientations here at school and the community at large. This year it will be run via Zoom after school. It is so easy to join! It is run through Google Classroom! To get the Google Classroom Code to join, please email Ms. Clear, McDowell Senior High room 215, at clear@mtsd.org or Ms. Alesso, MIHS in room 6-203, at alesso@mtsd.org.

The mission of the McDowell Honors College of Leadership and Service is to provide our most dedicated high-achieving students with a small learning community that provides structure for superior academic performance, leadership experiences, and community service opportunities. Students must submit a completed application by the designated due date to have their application considered by the application screening team. For more information, please visit https://www.mtsd.org/district/activities-programs/honors-college or contact the main office.

To become a junior class officer, a junior must win an election that is held in the early part of his/her junior year. The primary job of the junior class is to organize the prom. Juniors who don’t want to be an officer and still want to help with the prom can become members of the prom committee. The junior officers from the previous year will return to help the new juniors with the prom committee; their experience produces a better prom. Will meet using Google Meet/Google Classroom. For more information, email Mrs. Graham at ngraham@mtsd.org.

Key Club, a service organization for McDowell High School students, grade 9 through 12, operates under school regulations and draws its membership from the student body. Key Club differs from other service organizations in many ways. Key Club is unique because it is sponsored by the Millcreek Kiwanis Club, composed of the leading business and professional people in the community. Key Club’s objective is the development of initiative, leadership ability, and good citizenship practices. Key Club functions not only on the local level, but on a district and international level. This highly developed structure provides programs, literature, and the opportunity to relate to teenagers from countries around the world. Key Club is the largest service organization of its kind, with over 140,000 members in approximately 4,000 clubs. The purpose of the McDowell Key Club is to conduct an active program of service for the school and community. Through this program, the members fulfill the following objectives of the Key Club:

• To develop initiative and leadership.

• To provide experience in living and working together.

• To serve the school and community.

• To cooperate with the school principal.

• To prepare for useful citizenship.

Meetings will be held Virtually with Google Classroom/Meet. If interested, please email Mr. Wahlmark at wahlmark@mtsd.org or Ms Cocolin at cocolin@mtsd.org.

After School activities and VIRTUAL Meetings during COVID. Please text 923-2326 to join or find out about upcoming activities. Also, email leadandseedprogram@gmail.com for details. We are a Community Service Club. If you want community service hours doing fun doing activities with friends, this is the Club to join! After School Programs, Red Ribbon Week, Homecoming events and Pre-Prom Activities, Distracted Driver Simulator event. We also mentor young children plus we focus on anti-drugs, and anti-bullying. Weekly meetings will be held on ZOOM. Email Mr. Musarra at diana.jay1341@gmail.com for more information.

Literacy Club is an organization for students who have a passion for reading and doing activities literature related. The club will run virtually during the 2020-21 school year. Because of this, activities will consist of book talks, poetry slams, and writing contests that will be held through Google Meet or Zoom. Additionally, Literacy Club annually participates in Erie County Battle of the Books. Participation in this activity is still a possibility at this time because it may still be held virtually. Please contact Mr. Schilajew at schilajew@mtsd.org if you are interested.

Do you like math? Do you like higher level math? This club is for students that enjoy doing math and want to look at the history of mathematicians, higher level math problems and how they relate to what we do in math class, math activities for all levels (K-12), competitions, etc… Will be meeting by ZOOM. For more information email Ms. Testa at testa@mtsd.org.

Students who are interested in creating their own media are welcome to join this creative after school club. Options include writing news, opinions, features, or sports for the school newspaper; taking photographs; shooting and editing video; designing pages for the school newspaper; learning about video editing software; writing and shooting short films, and applying to video and journalism contests. Students will be expected to bring ideas to work on to the club or work with other students to come up with media ideas for student publications.

The National Honor Society is an honor/service organization for high achieving students. Membership is limited to juniors and seniors who have demonstrated outstanding scholarship, service, leadership, and character. In order to be considered for membership in the National Honor Society, students must first have achieved a weighted GPA of no lower than 3.85. Students then complete a Student Activity Information form indicating the extent of their service in school and in the community. The Faculty Council reviews the candidates and recommends those whom they feel are qualified for membership, according to standards prescribed by the National Honor Society. These names are presented to the faculty for their final recommendations. To retain their NHS status, students must perform at least 20 hours of community service each year, following the date of their induction. They also must pay dues of $3.00, used for some induction ceremony expenses, for two monetary awards given to the seniors who are recommended for the NHS scholarship, and for membership dues in the National Honor Society organization. Meetings will be held via Google Meet. For additional information, email Mrs. Schrier at kschrier@mtsd.org.

The PJAS sponsors a regional science competition each year. Students from grades 9 through 12 who enter must prepare an independent research project in science, mathematics, computer science, or behavioral science. The results are then presented at the regional competition. Students may be awarded a first, second, or third award on the basis of a point system of rating the projects. All students having enough points to earn a first award are also eligible for cash awards and for the state competition. Students interested in preparing a project should contact Mr. Fetzner as soon as possible to begin planning the project. Meetings will be via Google Classroom & ZOOM. For more information, email Mr. Fetzner at fetzner@mtsd.org or Ms. Halmi at ahalmi@mtsd.org.

All seniors should be interested in this activity, because it’s all about them. The only requirement is to be a member of the senior class. The senior class plans graduation activities and the senior banquet. The officer elections are in May. Meetings will be via Google Meet and limited in person. For more information, email Ms Korcinsky at korcinsky@mtsd.org.

Celebrate winter with us! Join the McDowell Ski & Snowboard Club! Winter is just better when you can ski or snowboard! Snow sports are a great all-around workout and being out on a mountain is invigorating and beautiful. You might meet some new friends or create more fun memories with your current group. Ski Club occurs at Peek n Peak for eight (8) Thursdays in January and February. Package deals make these fun winter sports affordable. Watch for announcements for further info on Ski Club. Meetings will be via Google Classroom. Please email the advisors for the Ski Club Mrs. Gibson at gibson@mtsd.org or Mrs. Black at gblack@mtsd.org or Ms. Crawford at crawford@mtsd.org.

Speech and Debate is an academic team available to McDowell students who are looking for a challenging and competitive extracurricular activity. It is for students looking to develop skills in research, critical thinking, organization, persuasion and communication. The Speech and Debate team requires regular practice, coaching, dedication, and hard work. The advisor for this team is Mr. Caugherty at McDowell in room 2-208. Please email caugherty@mtsd.org for more information.

This is a club that is comprised of students from any grade who are interested in the Medical Field including but not limited to Sports Medicine, Physical Therapy, or Athletic Training. It also involves students who want to be part of McDowell Athletics. Students serve as Student Athletic Trainers (SAT’s) for most McDowell Athletic Teams assisting the Certified Athletic Trainers. Students learn about CPR, First-Aid, catastrophic injury management, concussion management, injury prevention, acute injury care, basic rehabilitation exercises, hydration, field/court game and practice set up. Meetings will be via ZOOM. Contact Mr. Becker at mbecker@mtsd.org or Ms. Janele Wolbert at wolbert@mtsd.org (additional advisor Emily Sonnie) for more information.

Do you want to pursue business? Are you inspired in learning how to invest and make money without having to do that much work? Are you interested in investments and stocks? The stock investment club is a great way to gain insight and experience into the world of finance. You will learn about investing money, playing the stock market, and pursuing careers in finance. Business in the world is huge, we need to understand how it works. Activities include: • Stock market simulation competitions o I.e. MarketWatch, investopedia • KWHS Investment Competition o Funded by ivy league, University of Pennsylvania o Competes at the national and global level • Presentations and videos of investment strategies Students will be able to perform: • Leadership and interpersonal skills • A better knowledge of how the economy works • Manipulation of economy to make money • Money management • Innovation and increased success for the future. Meetings will be via Google Classroom and ZOOM. Email Mr. Fetzner at fetzner@mtsd.org for more information. These skills directly play into your success in life.

Looking for a way to become more involved in developing your leadership skills while also serving McDowell and our community? If so the Student Council may be the right activity for you! There are three levels of involvement in this student government organization: officers, executive board and general council. The four officers are elected by the student body the previous spring. Along with the advisor, the officers select an “executive board” to serve as part of the student council homeroom. The “general council” is selected in the fall. An application and petition with student and faculty signatures is required for candidates to the executive board and general council. Meetings will be held via ZOOM. Listen to morning announcements for details on joining these groups or email the advisor, Ms. Liccardi, at liccardi@mtsd.org.

JETS is a national program in which students take a day long written examination in the areas of applied mathematics, sciences, and computer applications. These tests are completed in a group setting to emphasize cooperative problem solving. Student selection for both the Varsity and Junior Varsity JETS teams is based on teacher recommendation. Meetings will be via ZOOM. For more information, please email Mr Bucholtz at bucholtz@mtsd.org.

Students will work on/discuss all technical theatre aspects and costuming of upcoming shows. To start off this will take place in a virtual setting. For more information, please email Mr. Johnson at bjohnson@mtsd.org located at MIHS room 6-105.

The Trojan Tailors is an existing business that operates with instruction and guidance. We provide services which include:  hemming, mending, creating one-of-a-kind projects, and produce items to sell. Students are required to have completed two years of Fashion and Fabrics and are currently enrolled in or who have taken Fabric Entrepreneurship.

VOX is published in May each year by a staff of students who solicit, read, select, and edit prose, poetry, and art contributions from McDowell students. Meetings will be held Tuesday and Thursdays during tutorial, and occasionally after school. Students from grades 9 through 12 are invited and encouraged to either contribute or join the staff, or both. Please contact Mrs. Rapp at rapp@mtsd.org if interested.

The aim of the yearbook staff is to capture the school year in words and pictures. We will meet during tutorial and occasionally after school. You must be hardworking, pay attention to small details, and be willing to attend after school and in school events. But don’t think the yearbook isn’t fun; it’s just one big happy family. Contact  Ms. Marshall at marshall@mtsd.org if interested.

The Young Erie Dems Club at McDowell welcomes all students in grade 9-12 who are interested in the political arena. Students will discuss and educate the student body about candidates’ platforms for local, state and national elections as well as help students register to vote. Students will meet Via ZOOM after school between 2:15 and 2:45. Email Mrs. Clear at McDowell Senior High at clear@mtsd.org for more information and to get the Google Classroom code to join.

Turning Point USA seeks to foster belief in the free market, fiscal responsibility, limited government, American first policies, and patriotism.  You will be connected to like-minded students from all over the country and have the chance to participate in events throughout the year.  If interested, contact Eric Page or see Major Nygaard in the ROTC room.  We meet every Thursday in tutorial in the ROTC room.  Other local chapters include Fairview, General McLane, and Gannon.