Clubs / Activities
Extending the High School Experience Beyond the Classroom
Carmel Catholic High School offers more than just books…students have an opportunity to express themselves and excel in ministry, athletics, the arts and more. By participating in extracurricular activities, students develop skills such as leadership, working with others, responsibility and self-discipline. The school strongly encourages all students to become involved in at least one extra-curricular activity and in fact, most students participate in several.
For more information regarding any of the clubs listed, please contact the Director of Student Activities.
Clubs and Activities Include:
- Ambassadors Club
- In order to become an Ambassador, students submit applications to the Director of Pre-Admissions in the spring semester. Prospective Ambassadors are subsequently recommended for membership by the faculty. Ambassadors assist the Director of Pre-Admissions in representing Carmel Catholic in recruitment and marketing events. Membership is open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors.
- Where – South Conference Center
- When -- Once a month on Mondays after school
- Moderator: Mr. Stith
- Email: Bstith@carmelhs.org
- In order to become an Ambassador, students submit applications to the Director of Pre-Admissions in the spring semester. Prospective Ambassadors are subsequently recommended for membership by the faculty. Ambassadors assist the Director of Pre-Admissions in representing Carmel Catholic in recruitment and marketing events. Membership is open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors.
- Art Club
- The Art Club provides students with an opportunity to draw and paint in an informal setting. Students may work with various media such as pencil, colored pencil, ink, watercolor, and ceramics. There is a $10 fee. Membership is limited to the first 30 students who pay their fee.
- Where – This club meets in room 400
- When – After school on Wednesday, once monthly
- Moderator: Ms. Gladwell
- Email: Sgladwell@carmelhs.org
- Books for Breakfast Club
- The Books for Breakfast Club provides an opportunity for students to discuss literature in an informal setting. Meetings occur monthly where a new book is discussed.
- Where – This club meets in Room 102
- When – Once a month, usually on Friday mornings
- Moderator: Mr. Rafferty
- Email: Arafferty@carmelhs.org
- Boosters 2
- Membership is open to all juniors and seniors. Boosters promote active participation of students in the areas of athletics and social activities.
- Where – Room 207
- When – Scheduled C days at 2:05 PM as noted in the Student Handbook
- Moderators: Ms. Barnett and Ms. Caprelle
- Email: Jbarnett@carmelhs.org and kcaprelle@carmelhs.org
- Membership is open to all juniors and seniors. Boosters promote active participation of students in the areas of athletics and social activities.
- Bowling Club
- The Bowling Club is open to all students. Teams or individuals may sign up beginning in mid-October. The club meets weekly at Fairhaven Lanes in Mundelein from November through February. Students have the option of signing up to meet after school on either Tuesdays or Wednesdays. Students pay a fee for games and trophies.
- Where – This club meets at Fairhaven Bowling Lanes
- When/How Often – After school on Tuesdays and Wednesday/weekly from late October through February. Twenty-four teams compete on each day.
- Moderator: Ms. Pohl
- Email: Jpohl@carmelhs.org
- The Bowling Club is open to all students. Teams or individuals may sign up beginning in mid-October. The club meets weekly at Fairhaven Lanes in Mundelein from November through February. Students have the option of signing up to meet after school on either Tuesdays or Wednesdays. Students pay a fee for games and trophies.
- Carmel Catholic Service Club
- Membership is open to any student who wishes to develop leadership and service skills. Students contribute in the areas of Street Scenes, teacher aides, mentor’s program, and many other areas. Thirty hours of service prior to April 20 are required to maintain membership.
- Where – South Conference Center
- When – After school as scheduled on “C” days
- Moderator: Mrs. Masterson
- Email: Jmasterson@carmelhs.org
- Membership is open to any student who wishes to develop leadership and service skills. Students contribute in the areas of Street Scenes, teacher aides, mentor’s program, and many other areas. Thirty hours of service prior to April 20 are required to maintain membership.
- Chess Club/Chess Team
- On Wednesday afternoons, students interested in playing chess are encouraged to come to the student lounge. No prior experience is necessary.
Students that would like to play competitive chess may tryout for the Chess Team. Membership on the Chess Team is limited to eight students, plus alternates. The Chess Team annually participates in the IHSA Chess Tournament in Peoria in February.- Where – Student Lounge
- When – Wednesdays during “C” days
- Moderator: Mr. Swindell
- On Wednesday afternoons, students interested in playing chess are encouraged to come to the student lounge. No prior experience is necessary.
- Diversity Club
- The Diversity Club promotes respect for the uniqueness and individuality of each person as well as the global awareness of people in the world. Members of the club engage in a variety of activities throughout the year including the organization of an annual assembly for the student body.
- Where – The club will meet in the CCRC
- When – Wednesdays during “C” days
- Moderator: Mrs. Hartnett
- Email: Chartnett@carmelhs.org
- The Diversity Club promotes respect for the uniqueness and individuality of each person as well as the global awareness of people in the world. Members of the club engage in a variety of activities throughout the year including the organization of an annual assembly for the student body.
- Drama/Improv Club
- The Drama/Improv Club provides students with the opportunity to pursue involvement in dramatic as well as comedic activities. Emphasis is placed on listening, response, acting, and performance skills.
- Where – This club meets in the Auditorium
- When – Wednesdays during schedule C as listed on student calendar
- Moderator: Mrs. Sebastiano
- Email: Dsebastiano@carmelhs.org
- The Drama/Improv Club provides students with the opportunity to pursue involvement in dramatic as well as comedic activities. Emphasis is placed on listening, response, acting, and performance skills.
- Environmental Conservation Society
- This club is committed to studying, preserving, and improving the current condition of our environmental and natural resources.
- Where –SC5
- When – Wednesdays on C days
- Moderator: Mrs. Huntemann
- French Club
- This club is an academic club, thus an extension of the French classroom. Special events such as guest speakers, Mardi Gras celebration and the St. Nicholas Day celebration are also scheduled. Students also go to a local French restaurant to enjoy French cuisine.
- Where – This club meets in room 303
- When/How Often – After school on Wednesday/usually once or twice per month
- Moderator: Mr. Recchia
- Email: Trecchia@carmelhs.org
- This club is an academic club, thus an extension of the French classroom. Special events such as guest speakers, Mardi Gras celebration and the St. Nicholas Day celebration are also scheduled. Students also go to a local French restaurant to enjoy French cuisine.
- Game Club
- The Board Game Club provides the opportunity to play traditional board games against one another. Students meet twice a month in order to play board games such as Risk, Scrabble, and Monopoly.
- Where – SC1
- When – Wednesdays on C days
- Moderator: Mrs. Conarchy
- The Board Game Club provides the opportunity to play traditional board games against one another. Students meet twice a month in order to play board games such as Risk, Scrabble, and Monopoly.
- Intramural Sports
- This program provides students with enjoyable opportunities to utilize their learned skills in actual competitive situations. There are places for all students, regardless of the degree of skill development, age, or field of specialization. There is a $1 entry fee for each student who participates in each sport.
- Where – The Salvi Arena or the Auxiliary Gym
- When – Twice a month on Wednesdays, Intramural games are normally played during C schedule days from 2:05 PM until 3:05 PM
- Moderator: Mr. Berg
- Email: Bberg@carmelhs.org
- This program provides students with enjoyable opportunities to utilize their learned skills in actual competitive situations. There are places for all students, regardless of the degree of skill development, age, or field of specialization. There is a $1 entry fee for each student who participates in each sport.
- Mu Alpha Theta (Mathematics Honor Society)
- Membership in Mu Alpha Theta is for juniors and seniors who have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 and who have earned no grade lower than B in any college preparatory high school math course. Members of this organization provide leadership and service to Carmel Catholic high School in the field of mathematics.
- Where – Auditorium
- When – Once a month on C schedule Wednesday at 2:30 PM
- Moderator: Mr. Titterton
- Email: Jtitterton@carmelhs.org
- Membership in Mu Alpha Theta is for juniors and seniors who have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 and who have earned no grade lower than B in any college preparatory high school math course. Members of this organization provide leadership and service to Carmel Catholic high School in the field of mathematics.
- National Honor Society
- Membership in National Honor Society is offered to juniors and seniors who meet the criteria established for the NHS by the National Association of Secondary School Principals. These are: scholarship (cumulative GPA of 3.35 or above), leadership (evidence presented by potential members in their application for admission), service (verified by evidence of participation in school and community service), and character (discerned from school disciplinary records and from past and present teachers). A candidate’s possession of these criteria and eligibility for membership is determined by a majority vote of a five-member faculty panel.
- Where – Room 103 or Auditorium as scheduled
- When – 7:45 AM for current board members/2:30 PM general membership
- Moderator: Mrs. Ruddell
- Email: Lruddell@carmelhs.org
- Membership in National Honor Society is offered to juniors and seniors who meet the criteria established for the NHS by the National Association of Secondary School Principals. These are: scholarship (cumulative GPA of 3.35 or above), leadership (evidence presented by potential members in their application for admission), service (verified by evidence of participation in school and community service), and character (discerned from school disciplinary records and from past and present teachers). A candidate’s possession of these criteria and eligibility for membership is determined by a majority vote of a five-member faculty panel.
- Operation Snowball
- This is an all-day event to encourage a healthy lifestyle and self-esteem by means of large and small group activities, speakers, workshops, and lots of fun. Students learn about themselves and have an opportunity to enhance their relationship, communication, and problem-solving skills.
- Where – Carmel Catholic High School (various locations in the building)
- When – Operation Snowball is usually held on the third or fourth Saturday in January
- Moderator: Ms. Carlson
- Email: Ecarlson@carmelhs.org
- This is an all-day event to encourage a healthy lifestyle and self-esteem by means of large and small group activities, speakers, workshops, and lots of fun. Students learn about themselves and have an opportunity to enhance their relationship, communication, and problem-solving skills.
- Scholastic Bowl
- Scholastic Bowl is a competitive team activity that sets many of our best students against other schools in a game of knowledge and academic skills. Questions used in Scholastic Bowl come from all high school courses, as well as in the fields of sports and trivia.
- Where – Room 100 or SC9
- When – Friday afternoon
- Moderators: Mr. Schuster and Mr. Mellon
- Email: Jschuster@carmelhs.org
- Email: Bmellon@carmelhs.org
- Scholastic Bowl is a competitive team activity that sets many of our best students against other schools in a game of knowledge and academic skills. Questions used in Scholastic Bowl come from all high school courses, as well as in the fields of sports and trivia.
- Sigma Alpha Delta (Students Against Drinking, Drugs, and Destructive Decisions)
- This group organizes, sponsors, and facilitates a variety of school-wide prevention activities with the goal of helping students make healthy decisions.
- Where – This club meets in the Brandsma Chapel or Guidance Office
- When/How Often – After school on Wednesday/once a month
- Moderator: Ms. Carlson
- Email: Ecarlson@carmelhs.org
- This group organizes, sponsors, and facilitates a variety of school-wide prevention activities with the goal of helping students make healthy decisions.
- Spanish Club
-
– This club provides students with the opportunity to learn more about a world language and its native culture by celebrating holidays in the Mexican tradition, including typical foods and activities. All students are welcome, whether or not you are enrolled in Spanish.
- Where – This club meets in room 104
- When/How Often – After school on Wednesdays, approximately once a month
-
- Speech and Debate Team
- The Speech and Debate Team promotes effective communication by means of after-school practices and weekend tournaments. Tryouts are held during the fall semester. The Speech and Debate Team annually participates in the ISBA High School Mock Trial Competition at the University of Illinois/Springfield.
- Where/When: – This club meets in the South Conference Center on Wednesday evenings from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
- How Often – Weekly meetings in the evening and extra after school meetings as needed as the team prepares for the State Mock Trial competition in Springfield in March. Students must try out in order to be a member of the team.
- Moderator: Mr. Drobinski
- The Speech and Debate Team promotes effective communication by means of after-school practices and weekend tournaments. Tryouts are held during the fall semester. The Speech and Debate Team annually participates in the ISBA High School Mock Trial Competition at the University of Illinois/Springfield.
- Street Scenes Student Show
- Cast members are chosen by open audition in the spring. The group performs during the Street Scenes production at Carmel Catholic each February. There is a $120 participation fee for each cast member. Tryouts occur in the spring semester.
- Where – CCHS Auditorium
- When – Practices are held on Friday afternoons. Expect more frequent practices prior to Street Scenes.
- Moderator: Mrs. DePrima
- Phone: 847-388-3482
- Cast members are chosen by open audition in the spring. The group performs during the Street Scenes production at Carmel Catholic each February. There is a $120 participation fee for each cast member. Tryouts occur in the spring semester.
- Student Council
-
This organization promotes leadership skills and builds open communication between the administration, the faculty, and the student body. The Student Council also fosters school spirit by sponsoring dances, socials, and charitable events such as food drives and blood drives, and contributes to other charitable causes.
Membership in the Student Council is open to all students who meet the established criteria set forth in the Student Council Constitution and the following: a candidate should be a character role model for the student body (discerned from school disciplinary records and teacher’s recommendations) and have at least a “C” average in each subject (verified by the Registrar).
The student body elects members for a one-year term. The Student Council includes; the Executive Board, the House of Representatives, Class Boards, Homeroom Representatives, and Club Representatives. Members are required to attend monthly meetings as well as other Student Council sponsored activities.- Where – Room 304 or South Conference Center as scheduled
- When – Once a month on Wednesdays after school
- Moderators: Mr. Cannuli/Mrs. Cappelle
- Email: Jcannuli@carmelhs.org, Kcappelle@carmelhs.org
-
- The Harbinger Magazine
- The Harbinger, published each May, is Carmel Catholic’s nationally recognized literary magazine. It is designed to give recognition to talented writers and to provide an opportunity for students to act as the editors and business staff of a literary magazine.
- The Harbinger, published each May, is Carmel Catholic’s nationally recognized literary magazine. It is designed to give recognition to talented writers and to provide an opportunity for students to act as the editors and business staff of a literary magazine.
- Tri-M Music Honor Society
- Students chosen for membership must meet the following requirements:
- Have been or are currently enrolled in a music ensemble and/or class for at least one semester
- Be of excellent character
- Exhibit a good attitude toward teachers and follow students
- Be cooperative and helpful in their classes
- Maintain for the previous semester a “B” in music
- Maintain for the previous semester a “B” average in other academic subjects
- Where – Choral Room
When – After school on Wednesdays at 2:05 PM
Moderator: Mr. Parry
Email: Kparry@carmelhs.org
- Where – Choral Room
- Students chosen for membership must meet the following requirements:
- WYSE Program
- The Worldwide Youth in Service and Engineering (WYSE) Academic Team participates in a series of competitive exams covering various topics ranging from biology to English. Competition occurs in three stages: Regional, Sectional, and State. Advancement is dependent both on team and individual superior level of academic excellence in their respective subjects.
- Where – Room SC5
- When – Teams meet as scheduled
- Moderator: Ms. Suzanne Huntemann
- Email: Shuntemann@carmelhs.org
- The Worldwide Youth in Service and Engineering (WYSE) Academic Team participates in a series of competitive exams covering various topics ranging from biology to English. Competition occurs in three stages: Regional, Sectional, and State. Advancement is dependent both on team and individual superior level of academic excellence in their respective subjects.
- Yoga Club
- The Yoga Club provides students with an opportunity to learn basic skills in Yoga, including breathing exercises as well as relaxation and strengthening positions. Yoga Club meets on Tuesday mornings in the South Conference Center.
- Where – South Conference Center
- When – Before school on Tuesday mornings
- Moderator: Mrs. Wilkins
- Email: Jwilkins@carmelhs.org
- The Yoga Club provides students with an opportunity to learn basic skills in Yoga, including breathing exercises as well as relaxation and strengthening positions. Yoga Club meets on Tuesday mornings in the South Conference Center.
For more information regarding any of the clubs listed, please contact Mr. Brian Stith, Director of Student Activities.
