Participation in extracurricular clubs and student government can be a rewarding and meaningful educational experience that enhances a child’s secondary education. It is important that students realize the time demands, responsibility, dedication and sacrifices required when making this kind of commitment. The following information defines the extra-curricular policies and procedures for all students participating in our High School activities. Please refer to the Student Activities Handbook for a better understanding of our philosophy, goals, and policies, or when a question about your child’s extra-curricular experience arises.

Intra-Curricular Activities

FFA

FFA is for those interested in agriculture and leadership. It is one of the three components of agricultural education. FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. To learn more about FFA and the opportunities click here.

Advisors:
Ms. Jillian Plante
Mr. Sean Sullivan
Ms. Debora O’Reilly

SkillsUSA

SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers, and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. We provide educational programs, events, and competitions that support career and technical education (CTE) in the nation’s classrooms. SkillsUSA’s mission is to empower its members to become world-class workers, leaders and responsible American citizens. SkillsUSA improves the quality of America’s skilled workforce through a structured program of citizenship, leadership, employability, technical and professional skills training. Read More…

Advisors:
Mr. Robert Conard
Ms. Elaine Batzer
Ms. Gina Willims

DECA

This intra-curricular organization prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe.

Advisors
Mr. Joseph Giordano
Ms. Elizabeth Shea

Non-Traditional Club / Career Awareness

The non-traditional club is to provide support to students who choose to follow a non-traditional career pathway and to provide awareness and education for topics that impact these students.

Advisors:
Mr. Jason Loring
Ms. Lisa Berube

Cultural Awareness Collective

The mission of the Cultural Awareness Collective at Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School is to educate our school community to respect the differences within our culture, and that our similarities far outweigh our differences. Our goal is to create an atmosphere where all who enter our school community feel comfortable being a part of our school.

Advisors:
Mr. Donald Gibson

Extra-Curricular Activities

Art Club:

Come to this club to explore your creative talents and enjoy some DIY projects, art appreciation and have fun!

Advisor:
Mr. Christopher Wood

CHESS CLUB

Love to play or want to learn to play this game of strategy – come to the chess club.

Advisor:
Ms. Amy Deacon

Chorus

Chorus and Advanced Chorus offer students an opportunity to sing acapella and contemporary choral pieces. Chorus meets on Thursdays until 4:00, and Advanced Chorus meets on Thursdays until 5:45. The Chorus season runs from September – December. Singers will work towards a December concert. All levels of singers welcome!

Advisor:
Ms. Michelle Harding

Cru

Cru is an international, faith-based organization where all students from any faith background are welcome to join us each week. Come check us out and enjoy some food, games, and a safe space for spiritual growth.

Student Contacts
Sarah Bacci – [email protected]
Bella Tgettis – [email protected]
Amy Keifer – [email protected]

Drama Club

Drama Club promotes creativity, community, and an opportunity for students to be involved in all aspects of production – from acting to stagecraft. The year will include a fall play, a winter entry into the Massachusetts Educational Theater Guild’s High School Festival, and a spring musical.

Advisors:
Ms. Alyssa Gibbs
Mr. Micheal Zupancic

Environmental Action Club

Activities include recycling, trail maintenance, setting up bat or bird boxes, composting, outdoor recreation, beach cleanup, and volunteer work with other organizations.

Advisor:
Ms. Martha Verrington

Equestrian Club Drill Team

An equestrian drill team is a group of horses and riders performing choreographed maneuvers to music.

Advisor: Ms. Haley Scofield

Goat Club:

Learn more about goats! Activities include completing an agility course, maintain their coats and nails, and provide environmental enrichment.

Advisor:
Ms. Kathleen Meehan

GSA Gay-Straight Alliance

The Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA), also known as Essex North Shore Awareness Group, is a forum of support for every sort of diversity, including but not limited to gender and sexual orientation issues, religious issues, and racial issues. GSA is a group of thoughtful and caring Essex North Shore citizens who are excited to belong to a school where diversity is not only accepted but encouraged. GSA sponsors social activities as well as forums for the education of the school community about the importance of tolerance and diversity.

Advisors:
Ms. Joyce Kimani

Horror Literature club

This club will explore the classic, modern, and contemporary short stories and novels, from Edgar Allan Poe to Stephen King, and from folklore to today’s up-and-coming authors. There will be an emphasis on the development of the horror genre and archetypes of form and meaning. Attention will be given to supernatural, psychological, and allegorical themes and tropes in such fiction, as well as relevant social and historical background information. The course will center on written fiction, with occasional reference to horror in films and other media. Whole text and selections will include Dracula, The Shining, Carrie, Coraline, The Haunting of Hill House, It, The Troop as well as Lore podcast and selected short stories from Stephen King, Chuck Palahniuk, H.P. Lovecraft, and Edgar Allan Poe.

Advisor:
Ms. Joyce Kimani

Key Club/Community Service

Key Club is a service leadership organization for high school students who love to help in their communities and get involved.

Advisors:
Ms. Nicole Grace
Ms. Elizabeth Ballas

Literary Magazine (Quill and Hawk)

The purpose of the “Magazine” is to provide the experience of writing, evaluating, and publishing creative works–paintings, line art, photography, graphic art, stories, poetry, and personal narratives–by students. All students are welcome to participate–contributions will be accepted throughout the year, focused on two publications–Winter and Spring, depending on interest and contribution.

Advisor:
Ms. Nancy Dashcund

Livestock Showing (Cattle Club)

This club is for students who want to learn to show cattle in fitting and showmanship competitions. Students will choose a school cow to work with and train to show in local cattle shows, such as the Topsfield Fair.

Advisors:
Ms. Linda Corson

Model United Nations Club

The Model UN Club debates world issues in replica United Nations assemblies. Students work in groups assigned a country and take the role of the ambassador to best present their country’s stance on an issue. We have food, current events discussions, and games as well to learn about geography, history, and world politics and events.

Advisor:
Ms. Nancy Dashcund
Student Contacts:
Ethan Miller [email protected]
Zackary Moran [email protected]

Music Club

Music club invites any student who has a passion for music to bring and play instruments, sing or just appreciate the bands and music they love with like-minded peers. This will be an informal gathering for music lovers; voluntary performances are a possibility if students are interested, but no musical ability is required to attend.

Advisor:
Mr. Justin Bilton

National Honor Society & National Technical Honor Society

Celebrating outstanding educational achievement and advancement in career and technical education. Open to juniors and seniors with a cumulative grade point average of 3.87 who demonstrate leadership, service, and good character. This is an application process through invitation.

Advisor:
Ms. Karen Mills

Political Action Club

Advisor:
Mr. Chirstopher Nisco

SnapShot Photography club

The Snapshot Photography club provides a supportive environment for students interested in photography to share their creativity, knowledge and passion.

Advisor:
Ms. Tessa Amorosso

Student Mentors

The Student Mentors are a select group of students who are charged with helping our freshmen transition to Essex North Shore. These students help at orientation and make connections with freshmen throughout the year.

Advisors:
Ms. Michelle Harding

Weightlifting Club

Physical fitness plays an essential role in longevity, health and character building. The education that can be attained in this club will not only help students stay fit and healthy, but they will also learn the significance and fundamentals of dedication, loyalty, and setting goals.

Advisor: Ms. Maura O’Brien

Yearbook

Come and make some lasting memories while creating and organizing the School Yearbook. Yearbook is open to all students to work on a student-designed yearbook that covers the whole school and school year. If you are creative, like to take photos and create some cool pages – we’d love to have you. Yearbook meets on Mondays in A124, with Ms. Plante.

Advisor:
Ms. Jillian Plante
Mr. Sean Sullivan

Video Game Club

The video game club explores the social aspects of gaming and video game culture.

Advisor:
Mr. Jonathan Graham

Archery