American Field Service (AFS)
The American Field Service (AFS) club promotes an understanding, appreciation of other cultures, knowledge and friendship among students. Students in this club work closely with the district's foreign exchange students.
Contact: Joe Deible, [email protected]
Astronomy Club
The Astronomy Club provides students the opportunity to explore astronomy. Students can also enter competitions, participate in overnight camping and evening activities, and learn about the school’s planetarium.
Contact: Karen Grumski, [email protected]
The Arrowhead
The Arrowhead is a student-initiated club that affords students not enrolled in journalism electives the opportunity to contribute to “The Arrowhead,” North Hills High School’s student newspaper. Through the club, students will take photographs, write content, design layout, and plan promotions for issues of “The Arrowhead.” The club also provides additional opportunities, including field trips, guest speakers, community service hours and social activities.
Contact: Jenna Long, [email protected]
Art Club
Art Club provides students with the opportunity to improve existing artistic skills.
Contact: Matt Simon, [email protected]
Buddy Club
The Buddy Club (Best Buddies) is an international organization that creates one-to-one friendships, employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. There are Best Buddies chapters in nearly 1,900 middle schools, high schools and colleges around the world. This program helps students in our Life Skills program develop even more friendships and become socially active in high school activities.
Contact: Lisa Towers, [email protected], Jill Mikula, [email protected]
Computer Aided Drafting and Design Club (CADD)
The purpose of the North Hills Computer Aided Drafting and Design Club is to provide opportunities for high school students that are interested in the design, architecture, engineering and manufacturing. Students compete in competitions, and get introduced to the world of engineering, design and architecture through various contests, activities and field trips. Each year the CADD club visits manufacturing plants, architectural firms, and businesses that may widen the student’s interest in the field of CADD. Students also compete in competitions that help prepare them for life after high school.
Contact: Jim Cassandro, [email protected]
Cheerleading
Cheerleading encourages school spirit and cheers for varsity and JV sports. Cheer teams also compete in several competitions each year.
Contact: Tracy Zangaro Indof, [email protected]
Chess Club
The Chess Club is a student-initiated club that meets every week for the purpose of playing the board game of chess.
Contact: Alice Kilroy, [email protected]
Choir
Choir consists of four ensembles: Symphonic Choir, Women’s Choir, North Hills Singers and Madrigal Choir, and offers many opportunities to perform a wide variety of musical styles for school concerts and community groups.
Contact: Shaun Cloonan [email protected]
More Info: www.nhchoiranddrama.net
Class Officers
Class officers are elected positions held by students in each grade. The student body has the opportunity each year to vote for a President, Vice-President, Treasurer and Secretary for their particular class. Together with faculty leaders, the class officers make decisions on behalf of the class they represent as well as host and participate in charitable and non-chartiable events throughout the year.
Contact: Ali Pedrosky, [email protected], Evan King, [email protected]
Diversity Club
The Diversity Club is made up of members that represent the entire school body to explore diversity and multiculturalism. Together with faculty leaders, students discuss inclusion topics, peer issues, current events, diverse cultures and traditions as well as unique people and their viewpoints. The goal of the club is to build an awareness and an appreciation for diversity and to establish lifelong leadership skills for celebrating diversity.
Contact: Jen DiPasquale, [email protected]
Drama Club
The North Hills High School Drama Club produces and performs two “all school” productions each year, a fall play and a spring musical. Students also are provided with the opportunity to work with professional actors in preparation for the Pittsburgh Public Theatre’s Shakespeare Monologue and Scene Contest and take a field trip to see one matinee production at the Public. The club is also involved in an annual technical workshop with leading theater professionals in the Pittsburgh area.
Contact: Lauren Sarazen, [email protected]
More Info: www.nhchoiranddrama.net
Environmental Club
The Environmental Club is a student-initiated club that offers students the opportunity to learn about the environment.
Contact: Laura Clark, [email protected]
Flagline
As part of the marching band, the flagline performs dance and flag routines during performances. Auditions are held in late spring.
Contact: Len Lavelle, [email protected]
French Club
The French Club heightens awareness of ethnic diversity and increases knowledge of France and French customs.
Contact: Missi Marangoni, [email protected]
French Honor Society
French Honor Society expands and enhances participation in the general French Club through a national honor society that allows for enriched learning opportunities for highly-motivated French students who meet the society’s requirements. In addition, the club recognizes exceptional achievement and hard work of students throughout their years in French.
Contact: Missi Marangoni, [email protected]
Future Business Leaders of America
Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) is a nationally-recognized club for students preparing for careers in business-related fields. Members have an opportunity to build their resumes and college applications by networking with business professionals, visiting local business colleges, career fairs and leadership workshops, and competing on regional, state and national levels.
Contact: Kellee Kanith, [email protected], Nancy DiNicola, [email protected]
Future Teachers of America (FTA)
Future Teachers of America (FTA) is an extra-curricular school organization with the mission of engaging the interest of any high school student who is interested in the possibility of a career in teaching or education.
Contact: Joe Deible, [email protected]
German Club
German Club offers activities revolving around German culture and traditions and provides opportunities to foster leadership and school spirit.
Contact: Joe Deible, [email protected]
National German Honor Society
The National German Honor Society expands and enhances participation in the general German Club with enriched learning opportunities for highly-motivated German students who meet the National German Honor Society’s requirements. This club additionally recognizes exceptional achievement and hard work of students throughout their years in German.
Contact: Joe Deible, [email protected]
Graphics Club
Held after school on various days, Graphics Club allows both students enrolled in graphics and students not in graphics to learn about graphic arts, screening printing process, and layout and design. Graphics Club students are asked and encouraged to raise funds for new materials and tools. Fundraisers can be as simple as printing and selling shirts for other clubs or designing and making shirts for Arts Alive.
Contact: Joe Bosley, [email protected]
Gay/Straight/Alliance (GSA)
GSA is a student-initiated club intended to offer students a safe and supportive environment that includes all students.
Contact: Alice Kilroy, [email protected]
Hands for Service
Hands for Service fosters the value of community service and creates school spirit through organizations such as Make-A-Wish.
Contact: Amy Patsilevas, [email protected]
High School Bands
The Symphonic Band, Wind Symphony and Jazz Band are known throughout the country for their excellence. These groups offer students the opportunity to learn and study music through the finest band repertoire available. In addition to regular concert performances, the bands sponsor annual events such as Jazz Night and Mardi Gras. They have been invited to perform at conferences around the country and each present a world premier as part of the longest running commission series in the United States.
Contact: Len Lavelle, [email protected]
Hilltop Heroes
Hilltop Heroes is a pop culture club that gives students the opportunity to explore their interests in comic books, video games, science fiction, fantasy settings, and movies/television. In addition to talking about heroes, the club members also act like heroes by hosting community activities and participating in charitable events such as the Pittsburgh Superhero Run as well as conducting video game tournaments to raise funds for other worthy charities.
Contact: Dave Barkovich, [email protected]
History Club
The History Club is a student-initiated club that meets to discuss the country's past events.
Contact: Jamie DeWeese, [email protected]
HOSA Club (Health Occupations Students of America)
The purpose of the HOSA Club is for students to have an opportunity to explore health careers that could lead into lifelong interests.
Contact: Jen DiPasquale, [email protected]
Italian Club
The Italian Club is a student-initiated club that offers the students activities revolving around Italian culture and traditions and provides opportunities to foster leadership and school spirit.
Contact: Kurt Zebley, [email protected]
Latin Club
The Latin Club is a student-initiated club that offers the students activities revolving around the Latin culture and traditions and provides opportunities to foster leadership and school spirit.
Contact: Kurt Zebley, [email protected]
Marching Band
The Band of Pride, Tradition and Excellence is known throughout the country for its precision marching and quality musicianship. In addition to performing at all varsity football games, the marching band spends a week away at band camp each summer, sponsors social activities for its members such as the band banquet and performs annually at Kennywood. Performances have also included the Presidential Inaugural Parade, Disney’s Main Street Parade, St. Patrick’s Day in NYC, Pittsburgh Steelers and Pirates games, and nationally-televised NCAA basketball games.
Contact: Len Lavelle, [email protected]
Majorettes
As part of the marching band, the Majorettes perform dance and twirling routines during performance. Auditions are held each spring.
Contact: Len Lavelle, [email protected]
NHTV
NHTV teaches members how to make movies and videos, produces televised and other programs for the North Hills School District, such as sports events, a magazine format entertainment series and the high school video yearbook.
Contact: Brian Bellissimo, [email protected]
National Honor Society (NHS)
National Honor Society recognizes students for scholarship (3.85 GPA), service, leadership and character. Students are evaluated for possible membership at the end of the first semester of their sophomore, junior or senior years.
Contact: Holly Michael, [email protected]
Norhian Yearbook
Norhian is North Hills High School’s yearbook club. Students work throughout the school year to capture student life in print and pictures in a 240-page published hardbound book.
Contact: John Curran, [email protected]
Orchestra
Our orchestras offer the opportunity to learn and study music through the wide variety of music available to string players. The North Hills High School Orchestra invites wind and percussion players to create a symphonic orchestra. In addition to regular concert performances, orchestra members attend honors festivals and perform at Arts Alive and events around our school and community.
Contact: Nick Vranesevic, [email protected]
Photography Club
Photography Club provides students the opportunity to use the photography studio, cameras and equipment to develop their skills and knowledge of photography. Students will be encouraged to explore the creative possibilities of both digital and film photography. Club members may participate in field trips, fundraisers, themed contests, local art shows and Arts Alive. Photoshop, composition, framing artwork, and equipment usage are some of the topics that are covered during club meetings. This club is designed to stimulate interest and help students gain practical experience in the field of photography. No previous photography experience is necessary. Students of all abilities are encouraged to join. Equipment and materials are provided.
Contact: Matt Simon, [email protected]
Ping Pong Club
The Ping Pong Club gives students an opportunity to compete in a friendly game of ping pong.
Contact: Joe Deible, [email protected]
Pottery Club
The Pottery Club provides the opportunity for students who have interest in pottery to gain more experience and make pieces for Arts Alive.
Contact: Jason Hillegas, [email protected]
Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD)
Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) provides students with the best prevention tools possible to deal with the issues of underage drinking, other drug use, risky and impaired driving, and other destructive decisions. The students in this club attend conferences and sponsor schoolwide activities that promote making wise decisions. Activities include Red Ribbon Week events, elementary presentations, mix off and the mock crash.
Contact: Michelle Medic, [email protected]
Science Club
Students interested in science may explore team competitions, attend local events and participate in science field days in the area. Students may also have the opportunity to demonstrate science activities to North Hills elementary and middle school students.
Contact: Craig Swanson, [email protected]
Sew Fabulous Club
Sew Fabulous Club members design and create new fashion items.
Contact: Jess Hoffman, [email protected]
Ski Club
The Ski Club is a student-initiated club that offers students the chance to try skiing at area ski resorts.
Contact: Chelle Zimmerman, [email protected]
Spanish Club
The Spanish Club offers activities revolving around Hispanic and Spanish cultures and traditions. It is open to students who are enrolled in Spanish.
Contact: Barb Foster, [email protected]
Spanish Honor Society
The Spanish Honor Society is a club to expand and enhance participation in the general Spanish Club through a national honor society that would allow for enriched learning opportunities for highly-motivated Spanish students who meet the society’s requirements. In addition, the club recognizes exceptional achievement and hard work of students throughout their years in Spanish.
Contact: Laura Otte, [email protected], Megan Werner, [email protected]
Speech & Debate Club
Speech and Debate is a student-initiated club that develops students’ skills in conducting effective research, developing logical, fluid and well-constructed arguments, and expanding knowledge of topics that are not often discussed in our everyday lives. Additionally, the club’s mission is to encourage the critical analysis of topics in our world.
Contact: Dawn Zahorchak, [email protected]
Stand Together
Stand Together is a student-to-student initiative that inspires and equips youth to take action against stigma associated with mental illness and substance use disorders. The program engages students by providing anti-stigma training and service learning experiences. Students work to ‘stand together’ to increase education and awareness, increase social inclusion, and encourage adolescents to talk to an adult if they are concerned about their own or another student’s mental health.
Contact: Liz Dove, [email protected]
Student Council
Student Council establishes a democratic forum in which students can address school-related issues affecting the students, while also being involved with the community and providing community service.
Contact: Jen DiPasquale, [email protected]
Tabletop on the Hilltop
Tabletop on the Hilltop is a gaming club that provides positive learning experiences playing tabletop games using math, vocabulary, social skills and teamwork. Students can choose to game via Dungeons and Dragons, Pokemon, Magic: The Gathering, and other card/board games.
Contact: David Barkovich, [email protected]
Varsity Club
The Varsity Club is a student-initiated club that meets as a group to discuss current issues of student-athletes participating in varsity sports,, to come up with ideas to help improve the student-athletic experience at North Hills, to help promote athletics and to host special events for student-athletes.
Contact: Pat Weber, [email protected]