Student clubs & activities

Below is a list of clubs and activities offered at Episcopal. Please see the club and activities calendar each month for meeting times. N.B.: clubs marked with * are open to both Middle and Upper School students; clubs marked with ** are open to Middle School students only. All other clubs are open to Upper School students only.

• Best Buddies. Best Buddies is a national organization that pairs students in grades nine-12 with adults who have disabilities. The club meets during fifth-period lunch to plan activities. Sponsor: Ms. Dulieu.
• Beta Chi Pi. Beta Chi Pi is a science club that prepares Upper School students to compete in the Science Olympiad. The club meets during fifth-period lunch, and often has guest speakers who discuss various careers in the sciences. Sponsor: Ms. Russo.
• Brain Brawl. Brain Brawl members compete academically with other local high schools, both public and private, and welcomes students in grades nine-12. The team practices one day a week during lunch. Sponsors: Ms. Ferlisi, Ms. Wehle.
• Certamen (Latin competition). This club, which is open to Latin students, is an academic competition team which competes against local schools at the district forum and against various schools in the state during field days. There are three levels of competition, and each team meets once a month to practice. There will be small fee to attend field days. Sponsor: Ms. Prendergast.
• *Chapel band. This club practices weekly to provide music for both Middle School and Upper School chapels. All grades may attend. Sponsor: Fr. Marsh, Mr. Tippins.
• **Chapel Techies. Help run chapel from backstage! Learn how to operate projection, lighting and sound boards. We meet Wednesday mornings during activities period in the Munnerlyn Theatre and in the Munnerlyn Tech Booth during 3rd period Chapel.
• *Computer Club. The description of this club is unavailable at this time. Sponsor: Ms. Bardin.
• Dominican Republic Club. This club meets monthly to plan activities to support an orphanage in the Dominican Republic. This club is open to students in grades nine-12. Sponsors: Mr. Thrift, Ms. Van Cleve-Miller.
• *Dreams Come True Club. This club raises money to help children with terminal diseases make their dreams come true. Sponsor: Ms. Buford, Ms. Lee.
• *Drumline. The Episcopal Drumline is a Corp style unit consisting of Snare Drums, Tenor Drums (Quads) Bass Drums and cymbals. Music reading ability is helpful but not required. The Drumline performs for various events at school and in the community. Sponsors: Ms. Andrews, Mr. Tippins.
• *Drumming Club. The Drumming Club is an informal gathering of hand drummers at all levels of experience. Students will have the opportunity to hear and play rhythms from the Latin and Brazilian traditions. Sponsor: Mr. Tippins.
• Eighth-grade trip counselors. This club is for students in grades 10-12 accepted to attend the eighth grade trip. Sponsor: Ms. Zeiner.
• *Episcopal vocal ensemble. The description of this club is unavailable at this time. Sponsor: Ms. Solomon.
• *Fellowship of Christian Athletes. FCA is a club in which Christian athletes and non-athletes meet to support each other in the Christian faith through prayer, activities, and special events. FCA is open to all students, and it meets weekly. Sponsor: Mr. Kidd.
• **Fine Arts Club. Students interested in the visual arts will assist with both the fall and spring theatre productions. There are opportunities for promotional designs and set painting. Students work directly with the drama club and art teacher on an as needed basis. Students are encouraged to attend drama club meetings.
• *French Club. This club meets once a month to promote interest in French culture, and is open to students in grades seven-12. Sponsors: Ms. Merrill, Ms. Scheffer.
• Gallimaufry. The purpose of this club is the development and production of the school’s literary/arts magazine, which is published in the spring. Membership is open all students in grades six-12. The club meets once a month. Sponsor: Ms. Duggan.
• *German Club. This club meets once a month to promote interest in German culture, and is open to all students. Sponsor: Ms. Pritchard.
• German competition. This club prepares students for the annual Florida Association of Students of German competition. Sponsor: Ms. Pritchard.
• Great Decisions/World Affairs Club. The description of this club is unavailable at this time. Sponsor: Ms. Andrews.
• *Guitar Club. The Guitar Club is open to all guitarists and students interested in finding out more about the instrument. This informal gathering allows students to exchange ideas, songs and various playing techniques in a ‘Guitar Circle’ format. Sponsor: Mr. Tippins.
• International Club. The purpose of this club is to educate and help people appreciate all cultures. The club meets once a month to have lunch and to learn about different cultures, and is open to all Upper School students. There is a fee for lunch. Sponsor: Ms. Van Cleve-Miller.
• International Thespian Society. The International Thespian Society was founded in 1929 by Dr. Earl Blank. The society still strives to give young adults a place for outstanding theatre, guided by the principles of its founders: a belief that participation in the arts is an essential means of widening students’ cultural horizons and enriching their lives. The Episcopal High School chapter, troupe 1187, is active in this international society. This club is for students who are involved in the theatre classes and/or the after school theatre related activities. In the meetings we discuss the theatre happenings around town as well as those theatre events in our school community. Inducted thespians and hopeful thespians gather in this campus club to work together on publicity, projects and other details of the theatre program, such as district and state thespian involvement. This club serves to support what is already happening in the after-school theatre community on campus, but in and of itself is not related to performance. Thespians usually meet two lunch periods per month, with specific times to be announced.
• *Jazz band. The jazz band is a performing ensemble in the big-band and jazz tradition, and is open to all Episcopal student musicians in grades eight-12. The jazz band meets one evening a week. Sponsor: Mr. Tippins.
• *Jazz ensemble. The Jazz Ensemble is open to students in grades 8-12. Jazz, blues and contemporary styles are introduced to the group. The Jazz Ensemble performs at the annual Christmas Concert and the Spring Concert.
• Key Club. This community service club meets twice a month to participate in activities to help the Jacksonville community. It is open to students in grades nine-12, and includes a $10 membership fee. Sponsor: Mr. Thrift.
• *Latin Club. The Latin Club meets once a month to support the district forum competition and to plan events (Saturnalia, Ides of March party, etc.). It is open to all Latin students, and includes a $5 membership fee. Sponsor: Ms. Prendergast.
• Mathletes. This club is for Upper School students interested in attending math competitions. It will meet weekly during lunch. Sponsor: Mr. Brozowski.
• **Middle School dance ensembles. All dancers wanted! Students will audition for placement in September and then start rehearsing after school from 3:30-5:30 p.m. on Mondays or Tuesdays, depending on the ensemble in which they are placed. Students audition in ballet, modern and jazz. Students have the option to audition in tap and pointe. Dancers will perform during different chapel services, talent shows and other venues that are being created. The advanced Middle School ensemble will also perform in the Spring Dance Concert in March. Each year is a little different and the rehearsal days are subject to change. Sponsor: Ms. Ponder-Reston.
• **Middle School Drama Club. Middle School Drama Club encompasses many genres of theatre including musical theatre, mime, storytelling, movement and ensemble acting. Students participate in both a fall and spring show, with rehearsals either before or after school. In fall 2008 we will focus on the formation of a Junior Thespian Troupe. Sponsor: Ms. Lee.
• **Middle School K-Life for Girls. This Bible study is open to all Middle School students, and is led by the chaplain and teachers. Girls meet once a week during their lunch period. Sponsors: Father Marsh.
• **Middle School K-Life for Guys. This Bible study is open to all Middle School students, and is led by the chaplain and teachers. Boys meet once a week during their lunch period. Sponsor: Father Marsh.
• **Middle School math competitions. This club prepares Middle School students for three math competitions during the school year. It meets weekly, and competitions are on weekends. Sponsor: Ms. Shea.
• **Middle School Science Sleuths. This club, which is open to Middle School students only, fosters the love of science and technology while providing the opportunity for students to explore their individual scientific interests. The club meets twice monthly during Middle School lunch. Sponsors: Ms. McCarthy.
• **Middle School Senate. This elected group of students plan educational and social activities to enable Middle School students to participate in school functions. They meet every other week during fourth-period lunch. Sponsors: Ms. Kneale.
• **Middle School Vestry. The Middle School vestry helps plan and run chapels. The chaplain appoints the Vestry, and they meet weekly. Sponsor: Father Marsh.
• **Middle School Visual Arts Club. The club provides Middle School students exposure to the visual arts by giving them a hands-on group experience. It is open to all Middle School students who’d like to work on group art projects. Membership fee is $5; the club initially meets once a month, then as needed as they begin their next project. Sponsor: Mr. Krueger.
• **Middle School Techies. Learn the ins and outs of technical theatre including the fly system, painting & construction techniques, lighting & sound and how to run a show. 
• Mu Alpha Theta. This math honor society promotes scholarship in and enjoyment and understanding of mathematics among high-school and junior-college students, and is open primarily to juniors and seniors with high math grades. The club meets monthly, and participates in regional competitions. Sponsor: Ms. Daraskevich.
• National Art Honor Society. THE NATIONAL ART HONOR SOCIETY was founded in 1978 "specifically for the purpose of inspiring and recognizing those students who have shown an outstanding ability in art". The Episcopal High School chapter meets twice monthly during lunch to plan activities, field trips, and explore ways the club can reach out beyond the campus to share our passion for art. During the 2007-2008 academic year the NAHS:
  • Went on a field trip to Washington D.C.
  • Held a Christmas sale of student artwork that raised more than $2,000.00
  • Provided eighty volunteers to work with handicapped children over two days at the Cummer Museum's VSA program.
  • Donated $2,000.00 to the Cummer Museum's VSA program
  Membership in NAHS is open to dedicated art students in the upper school who are enrolled in Advanced, Honors, or A.P. Visual Arts courses. Sponsor: Mr. Chamberlain.
• National Honor Society. NHS recognizes students in scholarship, character, leadership, service and citizenship. Membership is open to students in grades 10, 11 and 12 by invitation only (see the Parent/Student Handbook for membership criteria.) The group meets once a month to plan service projects or fundraising projects for various charities, and includes a $25 membership fee. Sponsors: Ms. Pritchard, Ms. Russo, Mr. Jevic.
• *National Junior Honor Society. The NJHS promotes recognition of students who reflect outstanding accomplishments in scholarship, character, leadership, service and citizenship. Membership is by invitation only (see the Parent/Student Handbook for membership criteria.) Members are inducted in the spring of their eighth-grade year, and the group meets every other week. Sponsor: Ms. Ferlisi, Ms. Oulton.
• Peace on Earth Club. This club offers activities to raise awareness of global concerns like Darfur and our environment. It is open to students in grades nine-12. Sponsor: Ms. Cooper.
• Pep Band. The Pep Band is part of the larger instrumental ensemble and performs for sporting events on campus. Sponsor: Mr. Tippins.
• PRISM (People Rising In Support of Multiculturalism). PRISM meets over lunch every other week to discuss issues of multiculturalism and current/historical events. All Upper School students as well as faculty may participate. Sponsor: Ms. Van Cleve-Miller.
• Science Olympiad. This science-competition team is open to students in grades nine-12. Sponsor: Ms. Russo.
• *Spanish Club. The Spanish Club increases awareness of Spanish culture and to perform community service by helping needy Spanish speakers in our area. It also supports competitions at the state and local level. Membership is open to ALL students. It includes a $5 membership fee, and meetings are once a month. Sponsors: Ms. Jimenez, Ms. Kalantar.
• *Techies. The members of this club help troubleshoot technology problems throughout the classrooms. Membership is by application only. All Upper and Middle School students are eligible to apply for membership.
• Upper School Chapel Tech. Help run chapel from backstage! Learn how to operate projection, lighting and sound boards. We meet Wednesday mornings during activities period in the Munnerlyn and in the Munnerlyn Tech Booth during 3rd period chapel.
• Upper School dance ensembles. All dancers wanted! Students will audition for placement in September and then start rehearsing after school. Students will be cast in different pieces according to their strengths and then prepare for our Spring Dance Concert in March. The Upper School Dance Club will take a trip possibly to THE PULSE or the National High School Dance Festival in Miami. Dancers will also have the opportunity to perform in various chapels, Grandparents Day, Touring Day and much more. Three years of US Dance Ensemble can count as PE credit.
• Upper School Drama Club/Thespians. This organization exists to promote quality theatre in the high schools and to be part of a larger international organization with the same purpose. Any Upper School student may join the Drama Club. Students must earn points to be inducted into the International Thespian Society. There is a $20 fee for new inductees and a $10 fee for returning members. Sponsor: Ms. Black.
• Upper School Equestrian Club. This club promotes awareness of the diverse community of horse enthusiasts at Episcopal as well as share horse experiences. It is open to students in grades nine-12, and meets during Upper School lunch. Sponsor: Ms. Flint.
• Upper School K-Life for Girls. This Bible study is open to all Upper School students, and is led by the chaplain and teachers. Girls meet once a week during their lunch period. Sponsors: Father Marsh.
• Upper School K-Life for Guys. This Bible study is open to all Upper School students, and is led by the chaplain and teachers. Boys meet once a week during their lunch period. Sponsors: Father Marsh.
• Upper School Senate. The Upper School Senate plans school activities throughout the year, including Homecoming events, winter formal, and Springfest. Membership is by election only. It meets weekly prior to major events, and attendance is required at Senate camp in August and winter retreat in February. Sponsors: Ms. Jimenez, Mr. Nash.
• Upper School Techies. This club meets until the theater shows open each semester and then it is modified. Learn the ins and outs of technical theatre including the fly system, painting & construction techniques, power tools, lighting & sound and how to run a show. 
• Upper School Vestry. The Upper School Vestry helps plan and run chapels. The chaplain appoints the vestry, which meets weekly. Sponsor: Father Marsh.
• *Vocal ensemble. Episcopal students interested in singing may enroll in the Concert Chorale class (grades 8-12) and/or participate in the after-school Vocal Ensemble (grades 6-12). Both groups are open to male and female singers. Repertoire in the fall focuses on sacred music for the Christmas season. Both groups perform at St. John’s Cathedral in December. From January on we prepare music from various world cultures, as well as 20th century music – including musical theatre and pop-rock selections. A performance-trip in March and a concert in April are also planned.
• Yearbook. The club meets every other week to produce the annual yearbook, and is open to all Upper School students. Sponsor: Ms. Walters.