Student Activities

We believe that for the high school experience to be complete, students need to be involved in activities outside the classroom. At Notre Dame, we feel education reaches its pinnacle when students supplement their academic work with non-academic or extracurricular activities. By doing so, students are able to develop physically and emotionally as they expand their interests. To ensure that students at Notre Dame Regional High School have this opportunity, we offer a number of extracurricular activities and events.

Aqua Life Club
Aqua Life Club is all about taking care of fish. Those who participate in the club will help take care of the school fish tanks and will learn what goes into maintaining an aquarium, as well as learning how to maintain a proper ecosystem like that found in the wild. Students will learn the differences in care for four different types of aquariums. These include freshwater tanks, freshwater planted tanks, brackish water tanks and saltwater reef tanks. Those in Aqua Life Club will also have the opportunity to help choose livestock for the tanks, and will also learn how to treat and prevent fish illness, as well as how to care for fish that are hard to keep in captivity. Students will also learn about the natural environments that the fish come from.

Eligibility: All students are welcome
Advisor: Mrs. Mary Beth Green
Meetings: Meets in room 507. Meetings will be announced via notice by fish tanks.
Dues & Fees: None

Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA)
Future Business Leaders of America helps students prepare for careers in business through academic competitions, leadership development and educational programs. Students that participate in Notre Dame’s FBLA organization develop skills in public speaking, professionalism, financial literacy, teamwork, competition, expectations of business persons, good sportsmanship and business sense. The organization completes a service project each year, chosen by the student officers.

Eligibility: All students welcome
Advisor: Mr. Josh Green
Meetings: FBLA meets the third Wednesday of each month before and/or after school in room 407
Dues & Fees: $25 for FBLA dues and district competition entry fees

Family Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA)
The mission of FCCLA is to promote personal growth and leadership development through Family and Consumer Sciences education. Focusing on the multiple roles of family member, wage earner and community leader, members develop skills for life through: character development, creative and critical thinking, interpersonal communication, practical knowledge and career preparation. Family and service are the central focus for Notre Dame’s FCCLA organization. The organization provides opportunities for students to participate at the local, state and national levels.

Eligibility: Sophomores, juniors or seniors taking an Family & Consumer Science course are eligible.
Advisor: Ms. Amy Wibbenmeyer
Meetings: FCCLA meets on the second Wednesday of each month in room 501
Dues & Fees: $20 for local, state and national FCCLA dues

French Club
The focus of French Club is to learn about the French culture.

Eligibility: Students taking French as a foreign language
Advisor: Mrs. Amy Worley
Meetings: French Club meets several times throughout the year
Dues & Fees: Fees are collected for club t-shirt (optional)

Friends of the Library
Friends of the Library meets monthly to discuss literature and literary preferences. The group hosts literature related events like a March Madness Book Bracket, trivia events, and plans activities during National Library Week. Members also work to provide book review podcasts which are posted to the school’s media center webpage. Friends of the Library collects nonperishable food for the Veteran’s Food Pantry.

Eligibility: All students welcome
Advisor: Mrs. Valarie Hulshof
Meetings: On the first Tuesday or Thursday of the month in the library.
Dues & Fees: None

History Club
History Club is a fun way to share your interest in history with other like-minded individuals, all while preparing projects for the History Day competition at Southeast Missouri State University in the spring. Students focus on communication skills, problem-solving, responsibility, organization, teamwork, planning and more. Additionally, the club fundraises for donations for a local historical site.

Eligibility: All students welcome
Advisor: Mrs. Kyndal Fadler
Meetings: History Club meets the second Friday of the month at 7:30 a.m. in room 406
Dues & Fees: Fees are collected for club t-shirt (optional) and for History Day project materials

National Honor Society
The National Honor Society recognizes students with qualities of service, character, scholarship and leadership. NHS sponsors two blood drives annually, along with a toy drive during the Christmas season. Additionally, members are required to do at least one hour of service a month.

Eligibility: Students with a 3.5 GPA or higher are eligible to apply after their sophomore year.
Advisor: Mrs. Renee’ Peters; Ms. Mallory Siebert
Meetings: NHS meets monthly after school in room 508
Dues & Fees: A one-time fee of $40 is required for the induction ceremony, which includes an NHS stole (students will also wear this stole at graduation).

Robotics
Notre Dame Robotics competes in the FTC Robotics leagues and various meets against area schools. The group focuses on teamwork and problem solving. Members help with Notre Dame’s summer robotics camp for area youth, and also help promote First Robotics throughout the community.

Eligibility: All students are welcome
Advisor: Mr. Robert Michael & Mrs. Mary Beth Green
Meetings: Meets on Wednesdays from 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. in the Robotics room above the cafeteria
Dues & Fees: None

Scholar Bowl
Notre Dame Scholar Bowl participates in interscholastic competition through the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA), and has a history of success including a state championship. The team concentrates on competition, good sportsmanship and teamwork. Students participate in a service project each year.

Eligibility: All students are welcome
Advisor: Mr. Josh Green (Varsity); Mrs. Mary Ha (JV)
Meetings: A practice schedule is at the start of each school year
Dues & Fees: None

Science Club
Science Club is designed to satisfy your scientific curiosity and be an outlet for students to explore and share in our amazing universe. The club has adopted a section of Route K to keep clean through the Adopt-A-Highway program.

Eligibility: All students welcome
Advisor: Mr. Jerry Landewe
Meetings: Twice a month after school (day to be determined) in room 502
Dues & Fees: None

Student Council (STUCO)
The purpose of the Student Council is to give students an opportunity to develop leadership by organizing and carrying out school activities and service projects. In addition to planning events that contribute to school spirit and community welfare, the Student Council is the voice of the student body. STUCO officers help share student ideas, interests and concerns with the school-wide community. Members focus on leadership, communication skills, problem-solving, responsibility, organization, teamwork, planning and more. Additionally, STUCO hosts Notre Dame’s Trick-or-Treat every October for area youth.

Eligibility: Election by classmates or student body as a whole
Advisor: Mrs. Josie Menz; Mrs. Kyndal Fadler
Meetings: STUCO meets the first Wednesday of the month at 7:30 a.m. in room 406
Dues & Fees: Fees are collected for club t-shirt (optional)

Friends of Mercy
The Friends of Mercy club focuses on praying for our Lord’s Divine Mercy to touch the souls of the living, those who have gone before us, and those of the dying, so that all will come to know God’s love and mercy. The club’s mission is to save souls and to bring people to Jesus. Friends of Mercy members gift every graduating senior a blessed rosary, and the club sends a Christmas prayer card to the past year’s graduating class.

Eligibility: All students welcome
Advisor: Mrs. Ruth Hester
Meetings: Friends of Mercy meets every Thursday during the school year at 7:30 a.m. in the Chapel to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet
Dues & Fees: None

Peer Helpers
The purpose of Peer Helpers is to assist freshmen and new students adjust to Notre Dame. The group promotes unity and respect, and helps other students as needed. Peer Helpers spend the first semester leading the freshmen class through fun, team-building experiences. In addition to team-building, freshmen reflect on time management and organization, verbal and non-verbal communication, leadership styles, and how their personal qualities may relate to that of their peers, parents and teachers. The final session of the year culminates with Peer Helper Olympics. Juniors and seniors volunteer their time in the summer cultivating creative ideas for projects and activities, and spent time in Peer Helper training.

Eligibility: Open to juniors and seniors who have a desire to help others. Students should complete an application, receive teacher recommendations and complete Peer Helper training.
Advisor: Mrs. Ruth Hester; Ms. Alexana Koishor
Meetings: Peer Helpers meet throughout the summer and once every schedule rotation for the first semester. Students meet with freshmen in one designated class period once every schedule rotation.
Dues & Fees: None

Seasons of Giving
Seasons of Giving is a service-based club that focuses on the community. Members participate in fun activities and service projects for each season of the year. Service projects have included backpack for food program, fundraisers for food pantries and other service organizations, visiting hospital patients and nursing homes, and many more.

Eligibility: All students welcome
Advisor: Mrs. Ruth Hester
Meetings: Seasons of Giving meets the third Thursday of the month after school in room 324
Dues & Fees: None

St. Joseph Club
“As iron sharpens iron, so man sharpens man.” St. Joseph Club challenges the young men at Notre Dame to pursue a life of meaning, continually grow, become the best version of themselves, and to strive for sainthood daily. The club’s primary focus is on faith life and comradery amongst young men, with the intention of building community and the readiness to exercise virtue and rely on God’s grace in the normal everyday happenings in life. Members serve at the St. Mary Food Pantry every first Saturday of the month, or whenever requested.

Eligibility: All male students are welcome. It is required for members to offer their time for service at least once a semester.
Advisor: Mr. Justin Keusenkothen
Meetings: Meets the first Friday of every month at 7:30 a.m. in room 518
Dues & Fees: Fees are collected for club t-shirt (optional)

Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD)
The mission of Students Against Destructive Decisions is to provide substance use prevention programming through education and the planning of alcohol, drug and tobacco-free activities for students. The club works to empower students along with parents, school staff, and community members to engage in positive change and healthy decision-making through leadership, education and advocacy. Club activities include participating in Red Ribbon Week for substance use prevention and education, It Only Takes One for seat belt usage awareness and advocacy, Buckle Up Phone Down Showdown to reduce distracted driving, TRACTION safe driving conference, the Great American Smokeout to raise awareness of the dangers of smoking and to encourage people to quit, the Safe and Sober program to promote an alcohol and drug-free lifestyle, and the Booster to Belts program to provide seat belt education to area grade schools. The club also has a mental health task force that assists with awareness activities for National Suicide Prevention Awareness Day and plans the school’s mental health speaker assemblies.

Eligibility: All students welcome
Advisor: Mrs. Angela Schaefer; Mrs. Ruth Hester
Meetings: SADD meets the first Thursday of every month after school in room 506
Dues & Fees: None

Students for Life
Students for Life is committed to developing and sending out strong leaders for the pro-life movement willing to defend life from conception to natural death. Members increase awareness of the pro-life movement, participate in local and national events that show support for the dignity of life, and support other pro-life organizations. Students learn critical thinking skills, planning, public speaking, effective communication, civic processes and respectful expressions. The group participates in varies service projects like collecting needed items for pro-life organizations, crocheting blankets and hats for Birthright, participating in Special Olympic events, the People’s Shelter Lunch and the Box program. Members can attend the pro-life marches in Washington, D.C. and Jefferson City, MO.

Eligibility: All students welcome
Advisor: Mrs. Gail Timpe; Mr. Robert Michael (assists with marches)
Meetings: Students for Life meets at 7:30 a.m. on the second Wednesday of every month in room 422.
Dues & Fees: Fees are collected for club t-shirt (optional); Participation in marches and fundraisers (optional)

Women in God’s Service (WinGs)
Notre Dame’s women’s service club was established in honor of St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta. Members strive to carry on her mission on a local level by “doing small things with great love.” In her own words, Mother Teresa encourages her Missionaries of Charity to embrace their vocation as a gift from God and to use it as inspiration for the work they are doing. WinGs strives to use the different gifts God gave its members to impact the community with hands-on service. Members serve God with their hearts, minds and soul, and serve others with love and kindness by going into the community and helping those in need. WinGs participates in various service events at the school, parish and community levels, assists in collection for local organizations, holds monthly worship events in the school chapel, plans two community praise and worship events during the year, and many more. Members learn critical thinking skills, public speaking, effective communication, valuing respect, and ways to strengthen their personal relationship with God.

Eligibility: All female students are welcome
Advisor: Mrs. Gail Timpe
Meetings: WinGs meet on the Friday of every month at 7:30 a.m. in the chapel for “Wake Up & Worship” followed by donuts and fellowship in room 508.
Dues & Fees: Fees are collected for club t-shirt (optional)

Backstage Blue
Backstage Blue is a club for actors, crew members, and anyone who is interested in theatre. The club focuses on collaboration with peers and teamwork, multitasking, time management, personal responsibility, construction skills and use of power tools. Members organize a canned food drive around Thanksgiving.

Eligibility: Any students interested in theatre
Advisor: Mrs. Emily Steimle
Meetings: Meets the last Wednesday of each month in room 425
Dues & Fees: $20 and includes a t-shirt

Choirs
Mixed Chorus is an introductory course offers to any student who registers.

Men’s Choir is designed to further the art of choral music beyond Mixed Chorus. This class begins at 7:30 a.m. and requires a successful audition and signature of this course instructor.

Treble Choir is an all-girls’ choir designed to further the art of choral music beyond Mixed Chorus. This class requires a successful audition and signature of this course instructor.

Concert Choir is an advanced performing choral group. This class requires a successful audition and signature of this course instructor.

Select Singers promote all genre of music with emphasis on a cappella singing and vocal jazz. The Select Singers are the music ambassadors for Notre Dame. Members are chosen by invitation from among those in Concert Choir.

All choirs are welcome to compete for All-District Honor Choir. Concert Choir, Men’s Choir and Treble Choir compete in the MSHSAA Music Festival.

Advisor: Mrs. Ellen Seyer
Dues & Fees: None

Fall Play
Fall plays were first held at Notre Dame in the fall of 2001. The play is held every year in November, and are non-musical plays that will usually have a smaller cast and crew than the spring show. This provides an opportunity for students to participate in different style of production.

Eligibility: All students welcome to audition
Advisor: Mrs. Emily Steimle
Auditions: Announced at beginning of school year
Dues & Fees: None

International Thespian Society
The International Thespian Society is for students who have completed 100 or more hours of quality work toward the Notre Dame theatre program. The club focuses on collaboration with peers and teamwork, multitasking, time management, personal responsibility, construction skills and use of power tools. Members organize a canned food drive around Thanksgiving.

Eligibility: By invitation only
Advisor: Mrs. Emily Steimle
Meetings: Meets the last Wednesday of each month in room 425
Dues & Fees: $20 and includes a t-shirt

National Art Honor Society (NAHS)
National Art Honor Society is for students who excel in visual arts, participate in service, are in high scholastic standing and have strong leadership skills. NAHS students participate in community art exhibits. The organization’s main focus is service through art, and volunteer their time to paint murals and face paint for the community, as well as volunteer at Notre Dame’s Trivia Night and Craft Show.

Eligibility: Students in their fifth semester of art that have received an A in art classes with an overall GPA of 3.5 or better are eligible to apply.
Advisor: Mr. Doug Dirnberger
Meetings: NAHS meets the first Friday of the month in room 509
Dues & Fees: Dues are not charged to students; however, students participate in fundraising to cover the cost of membership dues and honor cords.

Pep Band
Pep Band plays live music at every home varsity basketball game; rehearsing after school throughout the season. Members of Pep Band gain skills in teamwork, confidence, accountability and maintaining a schedule, and increasing proficiency in musicianship. As members of the Performing & Visual Arts Department, all Pep Band members are expected to volunteer at all PAVA events (the Craft Show and Trivia Night). Additionally, Pep Band reaches out to area grade schools and invites younger students to play with the band.

Eligibility: Any student who is a musician is encouraged to join. Additionally, students who may not be musicians but have a desire to learn to use sound equipment can also join as managers.
Advisor: Mr. Ben Edwards
Meetings: Beginning in October, Pep Band meets Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. in the music room. Pep Band plays at every home varsity boys and girls basketball game.
Dues & Fees: There are no fees, but students are expected to provide and maintain their own instruments.

Spring Musical
Notre Dame has a long tradition in musical theatre. The annual musical tradition was started in 1966 with the production of The Sound of Music and continues to be successful means of involving 50 to 75% of the student body in a wide variety of performance and practical life-skills activities. The spring musical is put every year at the end of March or beginning of April.

Eligibility: All students welcome to audition
Advisor: Mrs. Emily Steimle
Auditions: Announced at beginning of school year
Dues & Fees: None

Archery Club
Archery is an opportunity for students to learn how to shoot a bow, as well as different techniques to calm themselves down while in competitions. Members have an opportunity to compete in local archery competitions.

Eligibility: All students are welcome
Advisor: Mrs. Mary Beth Green
Meetings: Meets in Drury Hall. Schedule determined once school begins.
Dues & Fees: Fees to participate in meets (typically $10-$20 per meet)

Blue Crew
Blue Crew is the school’s spirit club and members attend all ND sporting events to cheer on the Bulldogs. Member work as a group to generate school spirit and learn sportsmanship. After games, the Blue Crew helps clean bleachers. There is a Blue Crew Instagram page that details the day’s theme for the cheering section.

Eligibility: All students are welcome
Advisor: Mrs. Laura Halter
Dues & Fees: None

Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA)
FCA’s mission is to see the world transformed by Jesus Christ through the influence of coaches and athletes, and to lead every coach and athlete into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and His church. FCA participates in Operation Christmas, individual team service projects, and is working to organize seasonal, local and Notre Dame specific service projects in the future.

Eligibility: Student athletes
Advisor: Mr. Jeff Graviett; Ms. Mallory Siebert
Meetings: FCA meets monthly; hosts FCA Overtime events for students throughout the year
Dues & Fees: None

Gaming Club
Gaming Club meets weekly to share in fellowship and play video games, board games, card games and role-playing games. The club focuses on communication, social skills and sportsmanship. Members host a fundraising competition every year for a local charity.

Eligibility: All students welcome
Advisor: Mr. Ben Edwards
Meetings: Tuesdays after school from 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. in room 423
Dues & Fees: None