Colleges, technical schools and employers will ask your son or daughter about his or her special interests. Organizations like to know how well your student manages time and prioritizes responsibilities.
Joining a club gives your teen valuable skills in leadership, being a team player, setting and reaching goals, and making our school an even better place.
We are proud that nearly 82% of our students actively participate in one or more of these clubs:
ACADEMIC CHALLENGE is a College Bowl or Quiz Bowl-type competition broadcast by our local radio station, WHFB AM 1060. Students in 9th-12th grades are encouraged to try out. Our team competes against schools in Berrien, Cass and Van Buren counties in at least three matches per year. Winning teams go on to State competitions. Sponsor: Gary Etter
THE AVERAGE JOES is a "FIRST" Robotics Competition (FRC) team for any SJHS student that wants to participate. This worldwide competition focuses on and promotes STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) education. Each year a new game competition is unveiled and a new robot is designed, built, and tested in competition. The team operates as a student-run business utilizing local adult mentors in all areas. Each year a Business & Marketing team, CAD & Design team, Programming & Electrical team and Build & Drive team are formed. Team members participate in many of the sub teams to gain experience solving real world challenges. Students can earn .5 credit each year by meeting team requirements and are eligible to apply for $20 million in college scholarships. Sponsor: Morgan Brunsting
BROADCAST TEAM meets each afternoon to prepare and produce the morning school news broadcast. Tryouts are held in the Spring for the anchor team, camera operators and technicians. Sponsor: Jen Berry
CLASS EXECUTIVE BOARDS represent the officers elected by the Freshman, Sophomore, Junior and Senior classes. These students help plan various events and dances throughout the year.
THE GAY STRAIGHT ALLIANCE (GSA) is an organization that serves as a welcoming, safe space for students of the LGBTQ+ community and their friends and allies. The group meets after school to discuss current issues, watch films, play games, and enjoy one another's company. The GSA also pairs up with other organizations, such as the Out Center in Benton Harbor, to support the overall LGBTQ+ community in SW Michigan. Nita Nicholie or Lauren Wiltsie
THE INTERACT CLUB is a student led high school organization sponsored by the Rotary Club of St. Joseph-Benton Harbor. It involves global and community service. Interact is known internationally for fostering leadership, responsible citizenship and promoting international understanding and peace. Sponsors: Jackie Huie or Cindy Igoe.
KEY CLUB provides leadership enrichment opportunities for your 9th-12th grader. Activities include community service projects, student exchange programs and leadership camps. Sponsor: Lauri Berry
MATH CLUB prepares students for rigorous high school math competitions. Our individual students and teams do very well in regional and state competitions. Sponsors: Tom Miesse
MODEL UNITED NATION STUDENTS gain a world perspective on local and global issues through debate and discussion. Students debate issues, draft resolutions and work with others to solve problems. The culmination is a conference where students assume the role of a country and debate a set of issues that is before the United Nations in New York. Sponsor: Phil Cole
NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY Nita Nicholie
NEWSPAPER (The Wind-Up) is a semester or full-year class open to 10th-12th graders interested in publishing the award-winning school newspaper, The Wind-Up. Writers, editors, sports reporters, photographers, layout designers and artists showcase their talents in this publication. Sponsor: Joyce Hunter
SKI CLUB is open to all students at St. Joseph High School. Two lessons are included with purchase of card, and all students will be evaluated by ski school instructors at Bittersweet Ski Area, 600 River Road, Otsego, Michigan 49078. The pass is good every day of the week and after 3PM on weekends and Holidays. Sponsor: Ian Brown
SCIENCE OLYMPIAD helps 9th-12th graders become experts on a particular topic; design, build and test a device or develop an experiment. Students begin "training" in January for regional competition in March. Sponsor: Kelly Kietzerow
STUDENT SENATE develops student leadership skills while providing a voice for students and sounding board for change and improvements in the school. Student Senate officers, representatives from each class, and class officers plan and implement a variety of events throughout the year. Sponsor: Amanda Wallace
UNDERCOVER BOOKS is a book club for students interested in reading the latest in recently published novels. The group meets monthly in a social setting and discusses each book in great detail. Sponsor: Bryan Arbut
WORLD LANGUAGES CLUB is one of our more popular student organizations. Membership is open to any 9th-12th grader interested in learning about French, Spanish or ancient Latin cultures. The club participates in Mardi Gras celebrations, annual international dinners, as well as Junior Classical League events around the state and country. French Sponsor: Colleen Elkins, Spanish Sponsor: Will McComber
YEARBOOK is a full-year workshop class for students in grades 10, 11 and 12. Students accepted into the class apply their writing, photography, sales, layout and design, and management skills to publish the Mazenblue yearbook. To order a yearbook click here. Sponsor: Joyce Hunter