Academic
Team: Mr. Sopuch,
Mr. Cirigliano
The Academic Team provides students an opportunity to compete in academically
oriented competitions and meet other academically oriented students.
Students in this club are showcased to other schools and colleges,
which provides students with opportunities to earn scholarships and
tuition stipends. This activity also motivates students toward academic
excellence and provides for them a chance to achieve many of their
academic goals. The best time to get involved is in the fall (September
or October).
Band/Guard: Mr.
Tobias, Mrs. Carty
The purpose of the Marching Ambassadors is to give students the chance to play
and enjoy all styles of music through concerts, football games, parades, special
performances and competitions. The band is a very active organization that
builds self confidence and self-esteem and helps to establish goals and priorities.
They travel to all parts of New Jersey, as well as Pennsylvania for band competitions
as they foster good sportsmanship skills. As a result, band members become
a close family as they practice and compete for their Championship performance
at Hershey Stadium in Hershey, Pennsylvania in November of each year. The best
time to get involved is the middle of the summer as they start field show practice.
Bridge Club: Mr. Jungblut
Bridge Club will meet in Room 322 on Thursdays. Learn to play the best
card game ever invented!
Chess
Club: Mr.
Jungblut, Mr. Rachiele
The Oakcrest Chess Team continues to be one of the best chess teams in the
state. Highly skilled students from all grades will try to lead the team to
the South Jersey Championship and a State Championship. The team’s underclassmen
continue to show improvement, desire, and a willingness to lead the team in
the near future. The best time to get involved is in September or sign up at
the activity carnival. Meets Tuesdays and Thursdays in Room 322.
Color
Guard: Mrs. Carty
The Oakcrest Color Guard performs alongside
the Oakcrest Band. They exhibit skills in color guard equipment such
as flags, rifles and other
props utilized in the field show performance. There is also a strong
emphasis in dance expertise. The Color Guard works closely with the musicians
in the band to enhance the visual aspect of the competitive field show
each year. Color Guard emphasizes teamwork while encouraging individual
growth and development of each member. Membership requires a great deal
of preparation and dedication. Members gain self-esteem, organizational
skills and develop responsibility caring for their own equipment. They
travel with the band to compete in parades and field show competitions.
The best time to get involved is the middle of the summer as they start
their fall season practice, or in the Spring before the Spring Concert.
Computer
Club: Mr.
Cirigliano
The Oakcrest Computer club was established
to discuss the innovations in computer technology and the careers available
in the computer field.
Planned trips include a tour of Atlantic City Casino’s computer
operation department and a trip to the FAA Tech Center. The best time
to get involved is September or October.
Dance
Team: Mrs. Gaskill
The Oakcrest Dance Team will hold auditions each fall. The dance team
provides an opportunity for those students who may be unable to fit
dance class into their daily schedule. The Team is open to all eligible
students in grades 9-12. The Dance Team will perform at various school-wide
community events. The Dance Team emphasizes teamwork while allowing
for individual creative expression.
Drama: Mrs.
Tunney, Ms. Londono, and Mr. Tobias
Over 70 performers and 30 backstage crewmembers make up the Oakcrest Drama
Club. Together, they can put on a great show, as they have proven year after
year. If you think that is all the drama club does, think again. They provide
small performances for the area middle schools and perform a small sample in
the Varsity Scholar’s program here at Oakcrest. After their final performance,
the drama club travels to New York City to see Broadway plays. The best time
to get involved is November, when you hear announcements about the play starting
up.
French
Club: Mrs.
Scheaffer, Ms. Rosen
“ Le Cercle Francais” focuses
on French culture and French customs. Students in the past have experienced
both ballet and French
art. Many social activities involve French food, Yule logs at Noel, crepes
in February, and a typical French meal in a gourmet restaurant in April.
The club emphasizes the value of diversity; we co-sponsor a reception
for foreign students and hear from people about their lives outside the
United States. The best time to get involved is in the beginning of the
school year, or at the activity carnival.
Freshmen
Class: Ms.
Martin, Ms. Ruepp
In conjunction with the
student council, the freshmen class provides ninth graders with an opportunity
to become involved in student government.
Activities for the freshmen class include fundraisers, community service
activities, and public service within the school community.
Girls
Athletic Association (GAA): Ms. Howell, Ms. Scelso
The Girls’ Athletic Association continues to serve our community
and school through an abundance of activities. GAA provides athletic,
service,
charitable, and social opportunities. Being a part of GAA brings together wonderful
young people who open their hearts to others.
GAA is a “feel good” organization. It has been in existence since
the early 1960s and is one of the few all female associations actively involved
amongst high schools. The membership is open to all girls who are active in
the academic, athletic, and/ or social life of the school. Many of the charity
events, such as the volleyball marathon and the popular “Three on Three” basketball
tournaments serve to donate money to special causes like the Mays Landing Women’s
Club, AC Rescue Mission, Atlantic County Women’s Center, and area churches.
GAA recently adopted three new events: Brian’s Run is a five-mile run
or a five kilometer fitness walk that recently raised $1,500 for the Leukemia
Society. The Popcorn Project involves students selling the boardwalk famous
Johnson’s Popcorn to support the General Peace Academy in Africa. The
community and school event Breakfast with Santa includes a breakfast, crafts,
a drama production, and Santa!
The year’s activities culminate with our annual spring banquet. All teams
are provided special awards and recognition. It is at this time that the “Points
of Light” and “Women of Excellence” awards are given to those
girls who have distinguished themselves beyond expectations. Along with our
two GAA scholarships, over 80 awards are presented. We are very proud of our
girls and their willingness to serve others. The best time to get involved
is… anytime. GAA is always looking for new members and help!
Habitat
for Humanity: Mr. Seaman
Habitat for Humanity is an international
organization that helps to build houses for families in need. Habitat
for Humanity is new here at
Oakcrest High School. We are looking for students to help get it started
so it is here for many years to come. We welcome all people to join us
as we build simple, decent, affordable houses in partnership with those
who lack adequate shelter in the Atlantic County area. Since 1976, Habitat
has built more than 175,000 houses and provided shelter for nearly 900,000
people worldwide. Now at work in 100 countries, we are building a house
every 26 minutes.
Junior
Class: Mr. Costal, Ms. Fresne
The junior class engages in
various activities throughout the school year. Meetings are held once
a week to plan for fundraisers and events.
Some events include organizing the Power Puff football game in the fall
and selling concessions at the boys home basketball games. Our major
event is planning for the Junior/Senior Prom! Please listen for announcements
and come and join the fun!
Latin
Club: Ms. Colleen Kennedy
The Oakcrest High School Classics Club
is an organization dedicated to “encouraging an interest in and an appreciation of the language,
literature, and culture of ancient Greece and Rome and imparting an understanding
of the debt of our own culture to that of Classical antiquity” (NJCL).
Membership is open to any student interested in learning about the world
of antiquity; however, offices are reserved for those students taking
Latin or Italian. Meetings are to be held monthly, with elections in
the fall. Advisor is Magistra Kennedy, Room 211. The best time to get
involved is September.
Literary
Magazine: Mr. Hoban
A marriage of visual and verbal art, the Stylus is a collective effort
to blend poetry, prose, photography and graphic creations together
in an intellectual experience representative of the Oakcrest student
body. The best time to get involved is September or sign up at the
activity carnival.
Math Club: Mrs.
Culleny
Math club members create a newsletter each marking period for extra credit
opportunities in students’ math classes. We also compete in several
academic competitions throughout the year. Pi Day is our largest in-school
event which proves to be a great time! The best time to get involved
is September or sign up at the activity carnival.
Mock
Trial: Ms. Paone, Mr. Sera
Mock Trial is a challenging academic
activity. Through playing the roles of witnesses, jurors, and lawyers
in mock trials, students learn firsthand
about the American system of justice. They try their cases before judges
in real courtrooms. The cases addressed each year tackle relevant and
vital issues. Past cases have dealt with bullying, host liability when
serving alcohol, freedom of the press, homicide, sex discrimination,
employment discriminations, death by vehicular homicide, etc. Each team
consists of 10 contestants and six jurors. As soon as the current year’s
case is available, the team is formed. This usually occurs in early October
to prepare for competitions, which begin in early February.
Multi
Cultural Interest Club (MCIC): Ms. Sneed
MCIC seeks to enrich
the cultural awareness of its members through social and educational
activities during the school year. The club is planning
a trip to a historical black college and universities fair this Fall.
The Society of Black Engineers Mentoring Program is another valuable
service the club seeks to resume this year. The club is also planning
a number of activities, such as a Fashion Show and Black History Month
events during the course of the year.
National
Honor Society: Ms. Bryce, Mr. Lockwood III
The National Honor Society promotes worthy leadership and enthusiasm for service
and encourages the development of character in the students of Oakcrest High
School. Candidates for the National Honor Society are members of the junior
and senior class who are committed to learning, and have achieved a scholastic
average of 90% or above. All members provide dependable and well-organized
service to their community, inspire positive behavior to their peers, and demonstrate
the highest standards of character both in and out of the classroom.
Newspaper
(Falcon Flyer): Mrs. Kopania
The Falcon Flyer is a production
of the journalism class and school newspaper club at Oakcrest High School.
Students interview sources, write
articles, and publish the school newspaper. Each issue reflects the activities
and culture of the school. If you would like to be involved in this club,
contact Mrs. Kopania, English Department.
Peer
Mediation: Ms. Piechoski, Mrs. Culleny, and Mr. Costello
Peer Mediation is an activity that services the entire school community. A
goal of the program is to build a stronger sense of cooperation and community
by helping students resolve conflicts peacefully. Student’s anxiety levels
often increase when they find themselves in conflict. This increased anxiety
undoubtedly interferes with the educational process. The Peer Mediation Program
provides students with the opportunity to resolve conflicts in a positive fashion
and promotes the idea of peacefully coexisting with others. Peer Mediation
sessions are facilitated by trained student mediators. Student mediators are
special people who are willing to volunteer their time to help others. They
are interested in improving the school climate by decreasing tension and hostility.
Applications to become a peer mediator are available during the months of September
and October. New mediator training sessions begin at the end of October. Anyone
interested in becoming a peer mediator should see one of the advisors in September
or early October to receive a peer mediation application.
Science
Club: Ms. Demark, Mrs. Baker
Science Club faithfully contributes to the adopt-a-road program by cleaning
Dr. Dennis Foreman Drive throughout the year. We also create a school
wide celebration of Earth Day. Various field trips are also planned including
visits to the zoo, aquarium, museums, and Great Adventure for Physics
Day. The best time to get involved is September or sign up at the activity
carnival.
Senior
Class: Ms. Howell, Ms. Dell'Aringa
The
main focus for the senior class is graduation. Beginning in September,
the planning of senior week activities begins. Football and homecoming
set the pace with a variety of other activities, such as the activity
carnival, aiding in our extensive fundraising campaign. The year is sentimental,
as well as memorable. The best time to get involved is freshman year.
The best officers are those who follow the class each year and stay involved.
Ski
Club: Ms. Martin, Ms. Ruepp
The Ski and Snowboard Club is excited for another season on the slopes.
We already have a few overnight and day trips planned, so dig out your
hat and gloves and join us. Our overnight trips this year include Killington,
VT and Seven Springs, PA. If you are interested, come to our first meeting
in October in Room 100. See Ms. Martin or Ms. Ruepp if you have additional
questions.
Social Studies Club: Mrs. Kane, Mrs. Foreman
The
Social Studies Club is active throughout the year with class elections
and trips to
Washington, DC and regular attendance at World Affairs Council
Seminars for high school students. The club helps recognize and celebrate
themes in history like Women’s’ History and diversity through
the annual Women’s History Breakfast and the Manytown Seminar with
participation of area high school students. Each year the club expands
its activities through the ideas of its members.
Sophomore
Class: Ms. Martin, Ms. Reupp
The
sophomore class runs in conjunction with the Oakcrest Student Council to
offer opportunities
for student involvement. They participate in a
wide variety of school events such as providing assistance at pep rallies
and setting up booths at the Activity Carnival and Back to School Night.
Sophomores are also responsible for concessions at all home wrestling
matches and for planning the Semi-Formal Dance, which takes place in
March. Additionally, the sophomore class does fund-raising activities
throughout the year, culminating with the “Kiss a Senior Goodbye” grams
at the end of the school year.
Listen in September for announcements. Come out and get involved.
Spanish Interest Club: Mrs. Alvarado
Spanish Interest Club has been very active throughout the years. They
celebrate various Latino cultures. Freshmen and sophomores attend a Hispanic
College Career Fair at local community colleges, and juniors and seniors
attend Hispanic Recruitment Days at Richard Stockton College of New Jersey
and the College of New Jersey. The club also takes field trips in the
spring to New York City and Washington, D.C. The activities in New York
include a Broadway play and sightseeing tours. In Washington, D.C. the
students will meet a congressman or congresswoman and take a tour of
the congressional buildings. The best time to get involved is September
or sign up at the activity carnival. Most students get to go on the trips
at no cost, through the fund raising efforts provided by the club. Mexican
Train Dominoe is new within the club, with teams competing with other
school clubs and Spanish clubs in the county. The club also awards the
Anthony Panarelle Scholarship to all seniors who have participated in
the club for four years.
Stageband/Pitband: Mr.
Tobias
Participation in Pit Band involves a high level of skill on specific
instruments. Members are pre-selected by the Band Director after auditions
are held. Rehearsals are over a period of several weeks, leading up to
the school play production in mid-February. Students play alongside professional
musicians, gaining valuable insight and direction. Commitment to attend
practices is mandatory and practices usually begin in late November.
Stagecraft: Mr.
Tomasello,Mr. Lockwood, and Ms. McGarrigle
In stagecraft, club members learn about the production of shows as it deals
with the physical scenery or the technical aspects of the production. For production
of the annual play, members build and paint the set pieces, program the lighting,
operate spot lights, take care of the sound equipment, microphones, etc., and
operate any mechanical equipment like fog machines etc. The best time to get
involved is when the play has their workshops. Come see how you can help out.
Club usually begins in November.
STAND – Students
Taking Action Now: Darfur: Ms. Band
STAND: A Student Anti-Genocide Coalition is an umbrella organization
of over 600 high school and college chapters dedicated to putting an
end to genocide, specifically the ongoing genocide in Darfur, Sudan.
STAND formed out of student interest to protect Darfur and works to
unify this anti-genocide movement under one message by providing students
with informational, educational and organizing resources, empowering
them through an extensive network of impassioned student activists
and advocating for a change in the world’s mentality towards
genocide. Join the STAND network by contacting your Regional Outreach
Coordinator today and become a part of an international network of
students in the fight against the world’s most egregious human
rights violations. Don’t stand by. STAND Up! Meets on Tuesdays
in Room 218.
Students
Against Drunk Driving (SADD): Ms. Scelso
The
whole concept of Students Against Drunk Driving is to prevent deadly
accidents from
occurring. The members try to prevent their peers from
experimenting and using drugs and alcohol through subtle messages and
hard-hitting examples. SADD sponsors programs such as The Chain of Life,
Project Prom Campaign, and other “pre” holiday reminders
to help promote those good choices and healthy lifestyles. SADD reminds
you that FRIENDS DON’T LET FRIENDS DRIVE DRUNK!!!! The best time
to get involved is September or sign up at the activity carnival.
Student
Council: Mrs. Baird, Mr. Cervi, Mrs. Brown, and Mr. Hearn
The Oakcrest student council is comprised of an executive team and general
membership. The entire student body elects the officers in the spring of the
preceding year. Each class also elects an officer to serve as the representative.
In the fall, all activities and sports teams are asked to choose a member to
represent their group. Any eligible students may apply to be a “member-at-large.” The
total number of “members-at-large” is limited to two percent of
the student population. The goals of the student council are: to promote school
spirit, to serve as a liaison between the students and the administration,
to promote community service and to support the NJASC in their endeavor to
raise money for a state charity. Throughout the year, student council has sponsored
a variety of activities to meet the above goals. The best time to get involved
is September or sign up at the activity carnival.
Technology
Club: Mr. Cirigliano, Mr. Sopuch
The Technology Club provides students a chance to explore current and
futuristic technology. Students in this club learn about technological
trends and growth. Students are provided a chance to compete in a stimulated
online stock market contest sponsored by the Securities Industry Foundation
for Economic Education. Students are also encouraged to explore technological
sectors and bring their findings to an open forum at our meetings. The
best time to get involved is September or sign up at the activity carnival.
Vocal
Music/ Chorus: Mr. Bass, Mr. Forney, and Ms. Kennedy
The chorus helps students to build character through teaching skills
and versatility in music. It also emphasizes commitment and working together
as a group to accomplish a common goal. The Committed Vocal Arts Society
was created in the 1998-1999 school year. This group of people acted
as voluntary leaders and officers. The chorus has performed the Holiday
Chorale for TV Channel 40 at the Hamilton Mall, the Christmas Concert
and the Holiday Assembly. The best time to get involved is September
or when you choose your classes for the next year.
Yearbook: Mrs.
Quinto-Green, Ms. Raph, and Mrs. Schenker
The Yearbook Club consists of members who contribute eight months of hard work
and dedication to produce our annual yearbook. The members use a variety of
programs to produce an over 200-page book. A few of the computer programs that
the club uses include the following: Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Pagemaker and Adobe
Illustrator. Other equipment consists of digital and 35mm cameras. Articles
included in the yearbook are written and created by the students. Articles
are composed of interviews with coaches, advisors, players and participants.
The best time to get involved is when you choose your classes for the next
year.
OHS Athletic Activities
OHS offers a variety of experiences for students to actively participate
in an co-curricular activity. These programs provide students with an
opportunity to interact and work with their peers to achieve a common
goal. Through this interaction students receive training in becoming
capable leaders and intelligent followers.
In order to participate in an activity and/or athletic team students
must be “eligible”, which is established by the student’s
academics and attendance. Oakcrest High School has developed an Eligibility
Policy, which serves as a guideline for student participation. This policy
can be found in numerous documents such as: OHS Student Guide, Parent’s
Guidebook and Calendar of Events and the Student Tracker. If anyone has
questions about their child’s eligibility, they should contact
Mr. Robbins, in the Athletic Office, or their child’s coach and/or
guidance counselor.
FALL SEASON:
Sports
Head Coaches:
Cheerleading - Ms. Nicklow
Field Hockey - Ms. Berchtold
Football - Mr. Parker
Boys Cross Country - Mr. Adkisson
Girls Cross Country - Ms. Nath
Boys Soccer – Mr. Seaman
Girls Soccer – Mr. Hearn
Girls Tennis – Ms. Daube
WINTER SEASON:
Sports
Head Coaches:
Boys Basketball – Boys Mr. Lewis
Girls Basketball – Girls Mr. Erney
Cheerleading - Ms. Nicklow
Swimming - Ms. DeWitt
Co-Ed Winter Track - Open
Wrestling - Mr. Brown
SPRING SEASON:
Sports
Head Coaches:
Baseball - Mr. Markley
Golf - Mr. J. Brown
Softball - Ms. Raph
Boys Tennis – Mr. Ponzetti
Boys Track – Mr. Petty
Girls Track – Mr. Barkalow
Athletic
Director: Mr.
Brian Currie
Athletic Secretary: Mrs. Bermudez
Trainer: Ms. Brown
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