Club List
To learn about the numerous clubs at AAHS, simply scroll down or choose a specific club from the list.
Advanced Dance Class Club |TOP|
The purpose of this club is to provide a means for the Advanced Dance students to perform their dances for an audience throughout the year. Membership is open to students enrolled in the advanced dance class.
Advanced Dance sponsors the annual talent show for all AASH students.
adviser
Mrs. Mary Ellen Everhart
Ambassador Club |TOP|
The Ambassador Club is made up of eighteen high school students. Membership into the club is based on an application and interview selection process. The main goal of the club is to present the Altoona Area School District to the public in a positive manner. Club members offer tours to the incoming Sophomore Class as well as visitors to the School District. They also act as hosts for a wide variety of school functions such as drama productions, American Education Week activities and high school football games.
adviser
Mrs. Patty Sohmer
Astronomy Club |TOP|
The Astronomy Club is interested in any students that have even a passing information in astronomy, and enjoy getting to know new people. The club's event schedule is as follows, though new things are added every year!
October: Halloween Sky Show
November: Fundraising Tournaments
February: Juniata College observatory
March: Movie/observation night
April: Club rocket build
May: Fort Roberdeau overnight camping and rocket launch
Come see us in the planetarium. Meetings are usually once every-other week; membership fees are only $5 for the entire year.
adviser
Mr. James Krug
Chess Club |TOP|
Chess Club is for students who like to play chess or are interested learning how to play. Membership is open to all students. The weekly meetings provide strategies from books and magazines. Puzzles provide challenges to increase players abilities. Game experiences are scheduled weekly.
adviser
Mr. Chris Strawmier
The Circle of Friends |TOP|
This group works and functions as a support group for the benefit of education and inclusion of the severely, moderately, and mildly handicapped population of the school. Members will engage in a community service program during the year and represent their school community, and family in a manner that will bring respect to each. Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors are eligible for membership.
advisers
Mrs. Amy Brisban
Leanne Fanale
Joy Wolford
Computer Club |TOP|
The Computer Club provides all members access to available computer resources before and after the regular school day. The primary focus is development of programming projects, Word and Lotus, software use, and Internet applications-. Other topics include: field trips, web site development, peer tutoring, and appreciation of copyright laws.
adviser
Mr. Christopher King
Diversity Group |TOP|
Students in the Diversity Group are committed to promoting respect and appreciation of all students. They promote and support a variety of activities within the school to create an awareness of the special gifts of all people regardless of race, creed or national origin.
adviser
Mrs. Maureen Repko
Earthkeepers |TOP|
This is Altoona Area High school's "environmental" group. The club's purpose is to increase environmental awareness within the group and the community. The group's activities depend on the members' input. Activities include environmental poster and video competitions, raising money for donation to an environmental cause, and the Blair County Envirothon Competition. Meetings are held every other week after school. Love your Earth, Join Earthkeepers!
advisers
Mrs. Denise Condo
Ms. Robin DeShong
Foreign Language Club |TOP|
Be exotic! More information to come...
adviser
Mr. David Poole
Future Business Leaders of America |TOP|
The Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) is a national student organization for students at the middle and secondary school levels. FBLA helps students develop leadership abilities and prepare for entry into a business occupation. Members learn how to engage in business enterprise, how to direct the affairs of a group, and how to compete honorably in competitive events. These activities help prepare students to be better employees. Dues are $14.
adviser
Mrs. Virginia Foreman
Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America |TOP|
Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America is a national organization of students who have taken or are taking a course in Family and Consumer Science education. The program provides opportunities for leadership development through group and individual activities based on members' concerns and interests within the framework of Family and Consumer Science. The goal is to help youth assume their roles in society through Family and Consumer Science education in areas personal growth, family life, vocational preparation and community school involvement. Meetings start in September and are held before and after school once a month, more often as needed. Officers are elected and hold various offices and responsibilities. There is a membership fee which can be paid through participation in fundraisers.
adviser
Mrs. Kitty Wilson
General Interest Club |TOP|
The General Interest Club is open to any student in the Learning Support and Life Skills Support Class. The purpose of the club is to have activities that interest students of the Learning Support and Life Skills Support Class. The club also participates in fund raisers and trips. The field trips are planned to enhance the students' knowledge of historical surroundings, but more importantly to teach them how to act in various public places, such as restaurants, museums, and while shopping.
advisers
Mr. Jeff Lechner
Mrs. Betsy Giansante
Girls League |TOP|
The purpose of Girls League is to foster a spirit of cooperation among the students, faculty, and administration of Altoona Area High School through their cooperative participation in the operation of various school and community service activities. Girls League consists of officers and executive committee members who petition and are voted in by Sophomore, Junior, and Senior girls.
adviser
Mrs. Betsy Giansante
Homecoming Committee |TOP|
The Homecoming Committee is organized each Fall to plan and run all Homecoming festivities including Games Night, Penny-A-Vote, the Homecoming dance and assembly and the crowning of the Queen. Any student may participate in the committee by attending the meetings after school. This is a great way for new students to meet a wide variety of people since students from all activities in the school participate. The committee is only active during the Fall, so listen to the announcements and get involved immediately.
advisers
Ms. Jackie Flick
Mrs. Meghan Roscia
Interact Club |TOP|
Interact is a service and social club sponsored by the Rotary Club of Altoona. The Interact Club will perform a minimum of two service projects a year with the purpose of serving the community and furthering international understanding. Through service activities, Interactors will learn the importance of: developing leadership skills and personal integrity, helpfulness and respect for others, understanding the value of individual responsibility and hard work, and advance international understanding and goodwill.
advisers
Mr. Eric Zolnak
Mrs. Debbie Flinn
Interscholastic Reading Team |TOP|
The Interscholastic Reading Team is comprised of 12-14 members each semester who read a prescribed list of books and then are quizzed on them at competitions twice a year. All schools in Intermediate Unit 08 are eligible to enter. Over 1000 students participate in three levels: Elementary, Middle/Junior High, and Senior High. The purpose of the group is to promote quality reading in our schools. Interested students should sign up in September and January. This is a great club for students who enjoy reading for pleasure.
adviser
Mrs. Kelli Livermore
Junior Academy of Science |TOP|
The Junior Academy of Science promotes the students' interest in the sciences. Guest scientists speak and perform demonstrations. Activities include visits to local college science programs and participation in science fairs. Members are encouraged to complete individual research projects that are presented and judged at regional and State levels. This competition culminates at the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science state competition held in April at Penn State University. Students have the opportunity to win scholarships and college recognition.
adviser
Mr. David Borst
Key Club |TOP|
Key Club is a service-oriented club devoted to community action projects. It is sponsored by our local chapter of the Kiwanis Club, a philanthropic business organization. Meetings are generally held on a weekly basis during active months. Primary campaigns include: Daffodil Days for the American Cancer Society, Holiday Candy Grams for various charities, Bowling for Kids' Sake, preparation of holiday baskets for less fortunate, etc. Members also have the privilege of participating in the weekly Kiwanis luncheons during the school year.
advisers
Mrs. Emily Bender
Ms. Meghan Bradley
Lioneers |TOP|
The Lioneers is a dance/drill team that performs at half-time during basketball games. Membership on the team is open to any MHS student. Tryouts are held in the Spring.
adviser
Mrs. Breanne Venios
Mock Trial Team |TOP|
Mock Trial is an interscholastic team which competes in legal cases. Each year the eight-member team competes in district competition has the opportunity to advance to the state level. Competitions take place in central Pennsylvania courthouses before a judge and a jury of attorneys. Tryouts are in late Fall, and the season lasts from December through March. Mock Trial is for students who enjoy public speakering and are interested in legal issues. They should also be able to think logically, work hard, and have a flair for drama.
advisers
Mr. Jim Lowe
National Art Honor Society |TOP|
The National Art Honor Society is an organization that is geared toward the artistically talented students. It is part of a national affiliation -with the National Art Education Association. It recognizes those students who have shown outstanding ability both in the field of art and scholastically in all subjects. Some of the objectives of the club are encouraging the creative abilities and talents of members, assisting students in portfolio development, and bringing art to the attention of the school and community. This organization is open to Juniors and Seniors. There are certain art and academic grade point averages needed for induction into the society.
advisers
Mrs. Sharon Wall
National Honor Society |TOP|
National Honor Society (NHS) National Honor Society is often misunderstood to be simply a "good grades club." While grades are important, high marks alone do not qualify a student for membership. Honor Society members must be well rounded. Each candidate is evaluated on four qualities: Scholarship, Service, Leadership and Character. These four qualities are explained in detail below:
Scholarship
In order to be considered as a candidate for NHS, a student must meet these minimum guidelines:
1. Have at least a 92.0% unweighted GPA in grades 10, 11, 12
2. Have a weighted Class Rank of 80 or better
Service
Service is generally considered to be those actions undertaken by the student, which are done with or on behalf of others without any direct financial or material compensation to the individual performing the service. In considering service, the contributions the candidate had made to school, classmates, and community as well as the student’s attitude toward service is reviewed.
Candidates must have a strong record of service over the 10th, 11th, and 12th grade years. Extracurricular activities sponsored by the school are most important. Activities sponsored elsewhere in the community (hospital, church, etc.) will be considered. Activities for which a student receives school credit and occurs completely within the school day do not carry great weight. It is the responsibility of the student to detail their involvement in any activity clearly on the forms that he/she submits. The Faculty Council will give consideration to students in a limited number of activities that require considerable time commitment only if the time commitment is documented. All involvement in activities must be documented on the Candidate Activity Forms, and by the sponsors to be given consideration toward membership. Active participation in the activities is required.
Leadership
Candidates must exhibit an ability to lead, both during and outside of the school day. Examples of leadership include organization of classroom projects or events, holding an office in a club, or teaching a skill in an organized setting. The leadership criterion is considered highly important for membership selection. The candidate should be thoroughly dependable in any responsibility accepted, maintains a loyal school attitude, inspires positive behavior in others, and contributes ideas that improve the civic life of the school.
Character
The Faculty Council seeks input concerning each candidate's character from all of the administrators and faculty of the high school. Candidates should also maintain a good reputation in the community at large. The NHS recognizes the “Six Pillars of Character”. A person of character demonstrates the following six qualities: respect, responsibility, trustworthiness, fairness, caring and citizenship. Candidates should be able to take criticism willing and accept recommendations graciously, consistently exemplify desirable and positive qualities of behavior, uphold principles of morality and ethics, cooperate by complying with school regulations, demonstrate the highest standards of honesty and reliability, regularly show courtesy and concern for others, observes instructions and rules, is punctual, is faithful both inside and outside the classroom, is self-disciplined, manifests truthfulness in acknowledging obedience to rules, avoids cheating in written work, avoid any suspicion of cheating or plagiarism, refuses to tolerate cheating, meet pledges and responsibilities promptly and not be apathetic or lazy in class, should not have been suspended from school or have committed any serious violations of school rules and should actively help rid the school of bad influences or environment.
The Selection Process
The election of members of the AAHS chapter of the NHS shall be by the Faculty Council, consisting of five to seven members of the faculty, who are appointed by the principal. The chapter advisor(s) shall collect and organize candidate materials, and facilitate meetings of the Faculty Council. However, the advisor(s) are not voting members of the Council. The principal has the right to review the decisions of the Faculty Council.
To be eligible for election to membership in this chapter, the candidate must have been in attendance for a period equivalent to one semester at the AAHS. The principal may wave this requirement at his/her discretion upon the recommendation of the Faculty Council. Candidate status does not guarantee induction. Students who meet the Scholarship criterion at the beginning of their senior year are considered candidates for induction.
In order to assess the Character of each candidate, a name list of the candidates will be given to each member of the AAHS faculty and administration for review. Faculty or administration with concerns about a candidate are to inform the chapter advisors, who will forward the concerns to the Faculty Council.
In order to evaluate each candidate’s Service, Leadership, and Character, each candidate will receive a Candidate Packet containing a Candidate Activity Form and several Candidate Activity Details and Verification Forms, as well as instructions for their completion. The Candidates will have a minimum of 8 school days to complete these forms and return them to the Faculty Council. Once these forms are submitted, the Faculty Council will not accept additional information. Submitting forms late or incomplete may jeopardize a student’s candidacy.
The Faculty Council will meet, and after careful consideration of each candidate’s materials, select the inductees. Upon the approval of the list by the principal, the inductees and non-inductees will be notified in writing. Inductees are not members of the NHS until formally inducted in a ceremony.
*****Maintenance of a 92% average in all subjects and maintenance of all other criteria in the scholarship, leadership, service and character areas will be required of students to the end of the Senior year in order to retain membership on national and local rolls throughout life. *****
SELECTION PROCEDURE TIMELINE:
1) Academic Qualification
2) Completion of Candidate Packet (Failure to properly and thoroughly complete the Candidate Packet will disqualify the candidate.)
3) Character Qualification from AAHS Faculty and Administration.
4) After the due date, advisors compile the collected candidate materials for the Faculty Council to review.
5) The Faculty Council meets and considers all candidates who returned their materials. A majority vote of the Faculty Council in accordance to NHS By-Laws determines selection.
6) The Faculty Council meets again to perform a complete individual review and discussion of any candidate who was not selected for induction in the first meeting.
7) A second vote of the Faculty Council will be held on each non-selected individual after the review and discussion.
8) A Summary Sheet containing the names of candidates to be inducted and a list of all candidates given consideration is submitted to AAHS Principal.
9) Candidates are notified of their acceptance or non-acceptance.
10) Selection information (working papers of the Faculty Council) is given to AAHS Principal for shredding after selection is completed.
11) Selection to NHS is an honor and not an entitlement; therefore, specific reasons for non-selection will not be provided to students or their parents.
12) The decision of the Faculty Council with the approval of the AAHS Principal is final.
Click here if you would like to visit the official web site of the National Honor Society and National Junior Honor Society.
advisers
Mr. Joseph Sohmer
Mrs. Patricia Sohmer
Peer Leadership Program |TOP|
REACH stands for Ready to Encourage, Assist, Care, and Help. The members of this group provide a support system for students attending AAHS. Many REACH members have an opportunity to work in the Guidance Office at both AAHS and Roosevelt or participate in a group being run by SAlT. This group is for caring students who are interested in helping other students deal with problems or difficult situations. All REACH members must attend a summer training program.
advisers
Mr. Eric Stoudnour
Mr. Drew Yingling
Peer Mediation |TOP|
The Peer Mediators are a group of individuals who have been trained to assist students who are having a conflict with another student. They provide a structured process for students to discuss the conditions, brainstorm solutions and come up with an agreement for resolving conflict. The Peer Mediation group is for students who are interested in helping to resolve conflicts. Peer Mediators attend a Summer training program.
adviser
Mr. Drew Yingling
Performing Arts Club |TOP|
Get involved in either the fall comedy/drama or the spring musical! More information soon!
advisers
Ms. Amy Vinglish
Mrs. Tabitha Quinn
Principal's Student Advisory Committee |TOP|
Students may apply for membership on the Principal's Student adviser Committee at the beginning of each school year. The Committee will meet with the Principal to discuss areas of concern to the student body. Possible topics for discussion are assemblies, curriculum, extracurricular activities, lunch program, school regulations, dress code, and evaluation of the instructional program, administration, counseling, teaching effectiveness, or any subject the Committee feels is important to the student body or school climate.
adviser
Ms. Sharon Fasenmyer
President's Club |TOP|
The President's Club is comprised of the elected Presidents of AAHS clubs and organizations. The club meets with the Principal to discuss student activities, school spirit projects, and the educational -program.
adviser
Mr. David Aboud
Quill and Scroll |TOP|
Quill and Scroll is a national honorary society for journalism students. Membership dues include a subscription to a national Quill and Scroll magazine. Members must maintain a 90% average in all solid subjects, be published at least three times, and be a member of the staff of a current high school publication. Teacher recommendation is required.
adviser
Mr. Michael Baker
Scholastic Scrimmage Team |TOP|
This club competes in a televised competition in December and at a tournament in State College. The team practices every Tuesday after school.
adviser
Mrs. Marie Suter
Ski Club |TOP|
The AAHS Ski Club is made up of students from all three grade levels. Students from novice to advanced ability levels enjoy four weekly trips to Blue Knob ski area. Skiers and snowboarders in the club are able to take lessons, buy lift tickets, and rent equipment at reduced rates.
adviser
Mr. David McCarter
Students Against Destructive Decisions |TOP|
This club is open to all high school students. Its purpose is to make aware to the student body the dangers of drinking and driving. The club sponsors Red Ribbon Week, Prom Promise, and other activities.
adviser
Mrs. Tina Johnston
Speech League |TOP|
Speech League provides students with opportunities to develop speaking and acting skills. Team members compete in three meets against students from approximately thirty high schools in Blair, Cambria, Somerset, and Bedford counties. Members may choose to compete in one of the following events: Oral Interpretation of Prose, Poetry, Humorous Drama, Serious Drama, Informative or Persuasive Speaking, and Extemporaneous Commentary. Some events require memorization or composition while others do not. District competition takes place in March. Superior performance allows students to progress to State and even National Tournaments. Nationals have been held in Washington, D.C., and West Palm Beach, Florida.
adviser
Mr. David McCarter
Mrs. Tanya Lucas
Student Council |TOP|
Student Council at AAHS is an activity-oriented club. A wide variety of activities for students, faculty and the community are planned and carried on throughout the year. All students who are interested in being an active member of this school should get involved. Activities include: two Senior Citizen dances, theme dances, Bloodmobiles, contests, semiformal dances, spirit stands, canned food drive, community service projects, etc.
advisers
Mr. David Aboud
Mrs. Kim Shope
Technologies Club |TOP|
The Technologies Club is a service-oriented club devoted to school and community projects. Students collect, refurbish, and distribute computers to AAHS students, they recycle printer cartridges to get free computer equipment for the school, and they do projects for non-profit organizations in the community. Meetings are held on the first and third Tuesdays of each month.
adviser
Mr. Michael Baker
Youth Education Association |TOP|
Youth Education Association, a service club open to any student who is interested in education; meets weekly. Members tutor elementary children; sponsor a homecoming candidate; serve as guides at the reading institute; help with elementary school parent meetings; make observations in elementary classrooms; take field trips to area colleges; have car washes; and a Spring banquet. Sponsored by the Altoona Area Education Association, YEA is affiliated with a statewide and national organization. This is definitely an active club.
adviser
Ms. Karen Shuman
Youth and Government Club |TOP|
Youth and Government Club gives students who are interested in government and current issues a chance to participate in model legislative sessions. Weekly meetings will focus on current issues, writing skills, debating issues and parliamentary procedure. Students will have three opportunities to participate on a state level, including the Model Legislative Convention at the state capitol in Harrisburg. This club is a great opportunity for students who are interested in a career in government, law or lobbying. The club is open to all students.
adviser
Mr. Tom Fox
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