Extracurriculars
Participation in an extracurricular is a great way to make connections, have fun and expand your knowledge. Extracurricular meetings take place outside of the school day, so you can join as many of these as you’d like.
Descriptions and Moderators
Affinity Group
The Asian Affinity group is for our Asian students and allies at STA to bond and express their experiences in a safe space in order to build strength and pride. It is a place for our students to come together and be more connected to our STA community. We may share and talk about their experiences or focus on working towards a particular mission or goal for the year. Activities vary between meetings and may include movies, games, traditional food, and holiday celebrations. We will work to be more visible and more included in our community and in doing so, enhance our commitment to inclusivity. Equally as important, we will collaborate with different groups at STA in which we will work towards creating equity for all.
Affinity Group – Black Student Coalition
To provide a space for Black students at STA where they challenge their own ideas of what it means to be a student of color on this campus and in the world. Our goal is to Engage, Empower, and Elevate each other while holding informed learning and equity-mindedness as a priority.
Affinity Group – Hispanic
To promote and offer exposure to the Spanish-speaking world and its rich and diverse cultures. Our goal is to bring a sense of community among the students by offering social activities and cultural awareness.
Campus Ministry
Campus Ministry involves any student who desires to enhance the prayer experiences at STA. Some of the ways a student may be involved in this group is planning prayer services, reading at advisory and all-school Masses, creating a slideshow for Masses or prayer services, and/or leading the school in daily prayer over the PA. All students are welcome to participate in Campus Ministry. Ms. Callahan will notify students of different upcoming opportunities and interested students will meet as needed for brainstorming, training, and/or planning meetings.
CSJ Summer Campers – Campus Ministry
CSJ Leadership Camp is sponsored by the STA campus ministry in conjunction with the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. Students are nominated by the STA faculty or staff. The camp is geared to help the girls discover their untapped leadership abilities, while growing in appreciation of self, others, and God.
Debate
Outside school time is required to participate in a minimum of two interscholastic competitions during the semester. we will touch on the various types of debate, but will concentrate our efforts primarily on parliamentary. Students will develop and refine debate and speaking skills, leadership, teamwork, and cooperation. Students will discuss current events and be expected to argue either side of a given issue. Activities will include group discussions and building skills required to make the student more confident. Students will become better listeners and more accepting of various viewpoints. This is a lifelong skill that will help form our leaders of tomorrow. In debate each student will:
- Explore speech as a competitive skill
- Learn the proper ways to debate in Parliamentary Procedure
- Learn how to structure a successful argument
- Gain confidence in the art of public speaking and argument
- Master the importance of projection, enunciation, rate, volume and pronunciation
- Build a strong sense of team with her partner(s) and class
- Study current events, historical events, and the US government to create argumentative presentation
Moderator: Alicia Stewart
Fine Arts Boosters
FAB is an extracurricular that will help create fundraisers to help raise money for the fine arts at STA. We have some ideas that include a cabaret, candy cane grams (like Mean Girls), etc. We will listen to super fun music and have snacks while creating super fun things for STA to be able to do! You do not have to be a part of the Fine Arts to join!
Moderator: Mimi Harman
French Honor Society
The national French Honor Society – known as Société Honoraire de Français (SHF) – is sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of French (AATF). Our local Chapter (the Windmoor Chapter) was established by the issuance of Charter #4687 on July 31, 2012. In keeping with its national constitution, the aim of this organization is to stimulate interest in the study of French, to promote high standards of scholarship, to reward scholastic achievements, to create enthusiasm for and an understanding of Francophone cultures, and to promote international friendship. Our chapter is governed by SHF’s National Constitution and by the Local Bylaws of STA’s chapter. Participation is limited to students who have been inducted as members. In accordance with the bylaws, new members will be initiated in the spring semester of College French III and above.
Moderator: Erin Juergens
Future Business Leaders of America
Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) is the nation’s largest student business organization with over 215,000 members across the nation. Missouri has the second largest state chapter with 15,000 members. FBLA’s mission is to bring business and education together in a positive working relationship through innovative leadership and career development programs. Locally we support the national goals and mission by conducting workshops and bringing in guest speakers at local meetings. Each Spring the chapter competes in the 50+ competitive events offered by FBLA at the district, state, and national level. We also work to support our national philanthropy the March of Dimes. There are opportunities to network and travel at the National Leadership conference held at different locations each year.
Moderators: Alicia Stewart and Amanda Johnson
Gateway Reading Program
The purpose of the Gateway Reading Program is to promote literature, literacy and reading among high school students in the state of Missouri. Students can choose to read from a list of fun, interesting, topical fiction. If students read two of the books on the list by March 1, they are eligible to vote for their favorite at a pizza party in the Spring. The library at STA has copies of the books on the list and information about the program is on the library’s website and Teams page. At the party students vote for their favorite title and have an opportunity to talk about the books they have read. To sign up, stop by the library or email Ms. Warwick. The Gateway Reading program is self-paced, so you can still participate in a club.
Moderator: Amy Cooper
GSA
Our mission is to decrease discrimination against people due to their sexual orientation, gender identity, race, socioeconomic status or religious beliefs. We raise awareness about the importance of community through education, support, social consciousness, and faith. We believe that students are entitled to respect and should be allowed equal opportunity. We believe that schools need communities, such as this organization, to embrace diversity and raise awareness on how to help others be more respectful and kind.
We believe that schools are a safe place in which no student should have to fear harassment or unfair treatment due to their differences. We promote an accepting atmosphere throughout the school by welcoming any and all individuals to participate in this organization. We are committed to the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondolet’s mission to “Love thy dear neighbor without distinction.”
Moderator: Shana Prentiss
Girls Who Code
The mission of Girls Who Code is to close the gender gap in technology and to change the image of what a programmer looks like and does. Girls Who Code believes that a diverse ability, culture, identity, and opinion makes our club stronger. Girls Who Code is a national program that meets weekly when possible. The club is set up for collaboration or individual projects following a design thinking problem solving model. The STA GWC follows the agenda and meetings set by the national organization for 6-12th grade students. We believe being brave is about being resilient, ambitious and persistent. All programming and coding abilities are welcome.
Moderator: Mary Montag
Gluten Free
Gluten free options on campus and around Kansas City area.
Moderator: Matt Hicks
HOSA
The Purpose of the Global Extracurricular of HOSA is to focus on, “becoming leaders in the global health community, through education, collaboration, and experience,” (HOSA). In HOSA, we promote careers in the medical field, and our mission is to strive to enhance good quality healthcare. This extracurricular plans to meet bimonthly, on Wednesdays, during activity 1 and 2.
Moderator: Sarah Stranz
Interfaith Alliance
Interfaith alliance would work to connect students of different religions in a lighthearted, fun, and educational way. Not only would this extracurricular include fun activities such as making and sampling traditional foods from different religions and acknowledging different religious holidays, but it would also be a great way to educate students about different religions.
Junior Classical League (Latin Club)
The Junior Classical League (JCL) is the largest classical organization in the world today with over 50,000 members. It is second only to the Boy Scouts. Its purpose is to encourage an interest in the language, literature and culture of the ancient Greeks and Romans. The STA JCL holds monthly meetings in Mr. Clark’s room. JCL members also attend and compete in the Missouri JCL (MOJCL) State Convention in April and the National JCL (NJCL) convention (a week-long convention on a college campus) in July.
Moderator: Olivia Matlock
Lift
Growing the STA faith life through creating a welcoming community centered around Jesus’s love for us and deepening the STA roots while educating, empowering, and serving the dear neighbor.
Moderator: Renee Schultz
Mahjong
Mahjong is a fantastic extracurricular activity that combines strategy, skill, and social interaction. Originating from China, this tile-based game is played with four players and involves forming specific patterns with titles. As an extracurricular activity, Mahjong offers numerous benefits: enhances memory, concentration and strategic thinking. It also encourages teamwork, communication and friendly competition. Additionally, it provided insight into Chinese culture and traditions. Mahjong is a fun and engaging way to challenge your mind and connect with others.
Makerspace Mentors
Makerspace Mentors will help St. Teresa’s Academy recruit young women interested in the field of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics). Consisting of Juniors and Seniors, Makerspace mentors are to encourage the creativity of others by guiding them in projects done in the Makerspace as well as help them in their class work. Fully trained with the facilities used in the Makerspace such as the 3D printer and laser cutter, these young women should help facilitate the usage for safety. Makerspace Mentors should demonstrate strong communication skills, willingness to help others, and share an interest in the STEAM field.
Moderator: Mandi Sonnenberg
Math Team
The STA Math Team includes students of all levels from Algebra I to Calculus. We compete in local, state, and national competitions throughout the school year, with most opportunities taking place during the Fall Semester. All students are welcome to join and attend any of the competitions.
There are several competitions that take place during the school day, on campus, typically during LEAD time to reduce absences from class. Other competitions can occur over the weekend, usually a half day on a Saturday. Students are able to place and earn medals or plaques for individual or team events. Some of these Saturday meets allow for the opportunity to qualify for the State Competition, which takes place in Columbia, MO. We have had students attend State, as well as make it to the next level of Sectionals.
Math Team does not meet on club days; therefore, students can still also join a club. Math Team is a great option for students who thoroughly enjoy math and like taking on a challenge.
Moderators: Makayla Devening and Maggie Young
Mock Trial
Students will be divided into two teams and given a case to work. The teams will distribute roles to each member (opening statements, witnesses, cross examination attorney, etc.) and will be given time to prepare your strategy as a team. On the next club day, teams will compete by earning points for the quality of your arguments, ability to cross examine witnesses, and use the information available to you. Winners will be decided by a judge and potentially a small jury depending on the size of the case.
Moderator: Aaron Burns
Model UN
Model UN is an international organization which fosters empathy, collaboration and problem solving in conference settings which mirror the actual deliberative bodies of the United Nations. In this club, students will learn about the origins and history of the UN and prepare for attendance in potentially one conference in both fall and spring semesters. Students will be assigned a delegation which they have to represent accurately as the various committees work together to create resolutions on actual issues brought before the UN.
National Honors Society
The St. Teresa’s Academy National Honor Society exists to create enthusiasm for scholarship, to render service to St. Teresa’s and the Kansas City area community, and to promote leadership and strong moral character. For more information, click here, and scroll down to NHS.
Number One Club
The #1 Club is a club for freshmen who are the only students from their grade school class to attend St. Teresa’s Academy. The club provides these new students the opportunity to meet and get to know other students who may not have any previous friendships or acquaintances with classmates at the start of their St. Teresa’s Academy experience. The #1 Club has weekly lunch meetings throughout the fall semester and meets monthly during the spring semester. The moderator coordinates, attends and facilitates all meetings.
Moderator: Mary Gajewski
Philosophy of Mugs
Philosophy of Mugs is a small community of students who are passionate about interesting philosophical, spiritual, psychological, theological, and sociological ideas. Members meet to present, discuss, and interact with interesting philosophical topics, as guided by designated leaders from the club for each meeting. Philosophy of Mugs is an extracurricular that meets about once per month; it does not meet during club days.
Moderator: Dr. Jamie Banister
Powerlifting
Powerlifting is a new athletic team that STA is putting together. The sport of powerlifting consists of three main lifts: the back squat, the bench press, and the barbell deadlift. This extracurricular is a meeting place for athletes interested in competing in the sport of powerlifting. Since it is not a MSHAA sanctioned sport, participation in powerlifting will not interfere with your participation in another sport. Being a member of the STA Powerlifting Team will require practices outside of the extracurricular meeting time with the hope of competing in at least 1-2 meets throughout the academic year. This is our inaugural year and we are welcoming lifters of all shapes, sizes, and experience levels. The goal of powerlifting is to compete against yourself and your previous numbers, performances, and notions of what you are capable of as an athlete. Welcome to the team!
Moderator: Madison Merritt
Robotics
Robotics involves building, programming, and competing with a robot in a game that changes yearly. No prior experience necessary! Building occurs in STA’s makerspace. Then, students will both program the robot to perform autonomous tasks and learn to drive the robot using a controller. This year, the competition will be in-house, with students individually creating small robots to play against each other.
Science Olympiad
Science Olympiad is an extracurricular focused on STEM-based competitions. Individuals will compete in STEM fields including earth science, biology, chemistry, physics, and engineering. Science Olympiad members will explore various STEM activities and careers, learn to work as a team, practice critical thinking skills, and channel their creativity and personal interests.
Moderator: Aaron Burns
Sources of Strength
Sources of Strength is a strength-based, comprehensive wellness program that focuses on suicide prevention but impacts other issues such as substance abuse and violence. The program is based on a relational connections model that uses teams of Peer Leaders mentored by Adult Advisors to change peer social norms about help seeking and encourages students to individually assess and develop strengths in their life. Sources of Strength is most often implemented as a school-based program in middle school, high school, or college. It promotes and focuses on connectivity, school bonding, peer-adult partnerships, and help seeking behaviors. Sources of Strength Peer Leaders are a diverse group of individuals who leverage their personal and collective leadership qualities as well as their social influence in leading the charge in norming and culture change campaigns using strength-based messages to impact multiple issues including suicide. Trained peer leaders use their network of friends to:
- Have one-on-one conversations.
- Develop a Hope, Help, Strength messages using local faces and voices.
- Present peer-to-peer presentations
Moderator: Amanda Johnson
Spanish Honor Society (Sociedad Hispánica Honorífica)
The Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica (SHH) is an honor society for high school students enrolled in Spanish and is sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese (AATSP). The purpose of the society is to recognize high achievement of high school students in the Spanish language and to promote a continuing interest in Hispanic studies and serving the Hispanic communities within the metro area.
Moderator: Ani Haroian
STA Ambassadors
This student admissions leadership team works closely with the Admissions Office to introduce STA to prospective families. These students practice public and conversational speaking skills, work with STA’s reimagined shadow visits and to represent the school at high school fairs and open houses.The STA Student AmbassadorTeam includes Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors who are identified by faculty, advisors and counselors and are recruited by the admissions team.
Moderator: Jane Clark
STA Green Team
Students, parents, alumnae, and community members will partner to brainstorm, prioritize and develop a plan to support the sustainability of a vibrant academy, one of our core strategic plan pillars. Together, we will empower our 21st-century STA learners to problem-solve and create solutions.
Moderator: Sarah Holmes
Stars and Crafts
This club makes crafts and handmade items to sell and help students start their own businesses. For fundraisers, we donate art supplies to Children’s Mercy/St. Jude and make hats for them.
Moderator: Carl Schmittgens
Stars for KCIA
Helping the KCIA community through volunteerism.
Moderator: Adrianna Knifong
Stars for Life
Stars for Life is a student-led group that exists to support loving, respectful, educational, and prayerful discussions on pro-life issues within the STA community. We focus specifically on the death penalty, abortion, and euthanasia. Our group approaches these issues from the perspective that every life is valuable and sacred. We evaluate secular and faith-based arguments dealing with our focus issues. We meet once a month. Everyone is welcome!
Moderator: Lisa Anielak
Stars for Literacy
Stars for Literacy promote reading in youth in Kansas City. From book drives for local elementary schools to tutoring and reading with children, we share our love of reading.
Moderator: Katie Dolan
Stars for Women’s Rights
The mission of Stars for Women’s Rights is to raise awareness about women’s rights issues occurring within the United States as well as globally. Topics such as education, representation, and job discrimination will be discussed during meetings.
Moderator: Laurel Lund
STEM Enrichment
The STEM Enrichment Extracurricular will focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics as these topics relate to practical applications and potential careers in these fields. Club meetings are hands-on as students learn about the engineering through building structures, investigating a variety of scientific concepts, solving puzzles and problems using math, and exploring new technology. Some STEM Club activities might involve time outside of the scheduled Club meetings. This club is for Freshman/Sophomores only.
Moderator: Renee Blake
STEM/STEAM Careers | Full STEAM Ahead
Full STEAM Ahead is an extracurricular that opens doors for students interested in the STEM/STEAM field. This gathers students together who may have an interest in pursuing any career or academic path in the future that involves Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and/or Math! Here we will brainstorm interesting and exciting paths that were maybe not well known to be a STEAM or STEM path and hopefully steer students into a creative direction involving our STEM/STEAM program here at STA. Alongside Dr. Sonnenberg, we will be able to have access to STEM/STEAM related projects, mentors in the field, speakers (especially alumni), and it will even allow students to have access to becoming a makerspace mentor (coming soon). This extra curricular is perfect for those looking to pursue the STEM/STEAM certification program. However, it is not a requirement to be pursuing STEM/ STEAM certification.We are looking forward to empowering young women to take risks, be leaders and join the STEAM/STEM community!
Moderator: Dr. Mandi Sonnenberg
Student Government Association
The Student Government Association (SGA) is dedicated to encouraging a collaborative student-administration dialogue in order to guarantee that the student body’s voices will be effectively heard. The governing body empowers the voice of St. Teresa’s Academy students by serving as the liaison between students and the faculty , staff and administration. They are charged with listening to stakeholders, thinking critically, and being innovative problem solvers.
Membership involves applications, nominations and appointments. Freshman will be appointed by the administration during their spring semester. Membership is determined by those appointed as freshmen each year remaining on the association and approved applications. Class officers will be invited to apply for membership.
Meetings are held monthly. Members are allocated leadership roles within the association.
Moderators: Barb McCormick and Jennifer Petree
Tabletop RPG Club
The Tabletop RPG Club is an extracurricular for students interested in playing a cooperative tabletop roleplaying game. Students will create their own characters and backstories, and then use those characters to adventure in a fictional world led by the game master. There is a high focus on teamwork, problem-solving, creativity, and quick thinking to pass challenges and have fun while doing so!
Moderator: Dr. Jamie Banister
Windmoor Collective
Windmoor Collective brings the gift of music to STA masses. This choir values the gift of all members no matter their singing ability.
Moderator: Renee Schultz
Windmoor Literary Magazine
This group is a staff composed of freshman, sophomores, juniors and seniors. We work to compile an interesting and diverse library of student writing and art, that we then turn into St. Teresa’s Academy Literary Magazine. This book, produced annually, is a wonderful showcase of STA’s artistic and literary abilities. All Indesign experience — none to advanced — is welcome. We meet a couple Saturdays in February and in March to create the theme, layout and design of the magazine, then distribute to the school on Class Day.
Moderator: Jazzmin Earl
Forensics (Speech)
TBD
Moderator: Maggie Young