There are activities for every talent and temperament at SDA. We encourage each student to review the wide variety of available clubs and organizations and then join those where she can contribute her time and abilities.

These activities teach our students to work with others to achieve shared goals. At the same time, they are able to grow in leadership abilities and organizational skills and become more responsible members of the community

Further information can be found by following the link for each activity.

Anime Club
Moderator: Denise Scholz

This club focuses on a Japanese style of motion-picture animation known as anime. Photo at right is from May 2007 meeting when Mr. Hiroshi Kumagai, a native of Japan, with professional experience in the Anime field presented a slide-show of his recent painted works to the students. Faculty members Denise Scholz (Anime Club moderator), Celeste Giarratana (Art Department) and President Ben Dineen are with Mr. Kumagai and club members.

Appalchian Experience Club
Moderators: Alyssa Pasternak, Brian Caldwell

Student members of this newly established club are travelling to Osage, West Virginia from March 28- April 2, 2005 to assist the rural poor. They will engage in physical labor, such as house repair, as well as offer some tutoring. SDA students will be joined by students from two parishes in the Archdiocese of Newark.

Prior to the trip, students will participate in a total of four educational sessions focusing on human rights issues in rural Appalachia. Upon their return, students will participate in debriefing sessions to discuss their experience and will create a visual presentation to inform the SDA community.

Asian Interests Club
Moderator: Flordeliza "Sue" Lingat

This club helps students to appreciate and learn more about Asian culture, to discover the heritage of eastern traditions and look at issues concerning Asian Americans. Membership is open to all -- Asian and non-Asian alike.

Athletic Association
The association supports all students participating in various parts of the sports program. At the same time, it plays an important role for every student, as it promotes good fellowship, fosters good sportsmanship and develops school spirit.

Computer Club
Moderator: Christopher Kempf

Members create and run various types of computer applications. They use common software creation tools, software development environments (e.g., Microsoft's Visual Studio) and popular programming languages (e.g., Visual Basic, C++, Java). The club also creates webpages using HTML (hypertext markup language) and maintains the SDA homepage.

Dominican Youth in Action
Moderators: Sr. Mary Elizabeth Fallon, Suzanne McDermott, Alyssa Pasternak

This club's main purpose is to foster and support a Christian way of life. To do so, it presents and uses various means of strengthening our baptismal commitment. Club members share scripture, discuss how the Good News continues to be relevant to daily life and look for opportunities for shared prayer within the school community. The club also serves as a channel through which student and staff intentions are known and brought to prayer

Drama Club
Moderator: Linda Gilbert

Interested in performing? Students in this club study various forms of drama and work together on selected presentations. Several public performances are shared with the school community throughout the year.

Environmental Club
Moderators: Cristina Manuel

Gardening Club
Moderators: Ann Cusack, Roy Cramer

Whether "city people" or "country folk", this club introduces students to the world of gardening. Going from theory into practice, members broaden their general knowledge and pursue special gardening interests. Each spring, the club focuses on an SDA garden project.

Glee Club and Dominoes
Moderator: Joseph Napoli      Business Manager: Lorraine Palmieri

Open to all who demonstrate some talent for singing and an appreciation for music, these choral groups provide musical performances to multiple audiences throughout the school year. In return for their dedication and commitment, members are able to strengthen their talent both as individuals and as a group while they learn musical pieces and arrangements.

The Glee Club has won first and second place trophies at national competitions over the past several years and the Dominoes have taken classes at the Juilliard School and have sung at both Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall.

Hospitality Club
Moderators: Mary Ann McLean

The members of this club are "doers" who generously give their time to other members of the SDA community. They serve as ushers for theatre and Glee Club performances, act as hostesses at SDA functions, assist at special events and provide clerical services as needed.

Liturgical Choir
Moderator: Deborah Egan

Members of this group focus on strengthening their own spiritual development and that of the larger school community by planning liturgical programs for various school functions.

Math Club
Moderator: Justin Crudo

Through exciting, challenging and useful activities, club members expand their mathematical power while lessening math anxiety. An important part of their work is an outreach program, which provides tutoring service to grammar school and high school students.

Model U.N. Club
Moderator: Carolyn Smith

This club studies the structure and organization of the United Nations, in order to understand its workings. Each year, the members participate in the Model U.N. Program with other schools.

Multicultural/World Languages Club
Moderators: Denise Scholz, Carmen Jimenez

SDA is blessed with students representing many races, creeds and ethnic origins. This club provides a forum in which students from varied cultural backgrounds can share the richness of their heritage with each other. By participating in the club, members develop a greater appreciation, understanding and reverence for the individuality and the differences of others and a strong sense of community.

National Honor Society
Student-scholars who provide service to SDA and the larger community, serve as leaders and demonstrate good character are eligible to apply for membership in the National Honor Society (NHS). Our chapter of NHS provides special service to SDA by sponsoring a tutorial program within the school.

New York Experience
Moderator: Alyssa Pasternak

This club provides students with the opportunity to experience "live" theatre. While it is also known as "The New York Theatre Experience," it is not limited to performances in NYC. At least once each semester, members select a play or presentation to attend and share background information on the performance.

Peer Helpers Program
Moderator: Dr. Jane Selinske

Peer Helpers are selected by their classmates and complete twenty-five hours of training in communication skills. They use these skills to help fellow students who visit our Drop-In Center. Without giving advice, they listen to a student's problems and concerns and assist her in managing or solving her problem. Senior Peer Helpers receive training to be part of a Conflict Mediation Team.

Peer Ministry Program
Moderator: Sr. Mary Elizabeth Fallon
Assistant Moderators: Carolina Roc, Alyssa Pasternak

In this youth-to-youth ministry, teens share their creativity, vision, vitality and generosity with other teens. The aim is to build a faith community where young people can foster spiritual and emotional growth within each other. They develop the skills that enable them to be effective witnesses, leaders and carriers of the message of Jesus.

Publications
Dominica Moderator: Celeste Giarratana;   Financial Advisor: Marya DePinto;  Editing/Proofing: Pat Criaris
Elan Moderator: Jennifer Dwyer
The Trumpet Moderator: Venessa Nieves

SDA has three student publications: the yearbook Dominica, which is staffed by members of the Junior and Senior class; our literary magazine, Elan, which carries the writing, art and photography of students representing all grade levels; and our newspaper, The Trumpet, which is staffed by all grade levels and is published four times a year.

SADD - Students Against Destructive Decisions
Moderator: Carolina Roc

Drinking and driving is the number one killer of teenagers. To combat this, members of SADD educate their fellow students and help them to recognize alcohol problems as they exist in their environment and on a local, state and national level.

Student Council
Moderator: Alyssa Pasternak

The Council's main purpose is to represent the student body, creating a better understanding between faculty and students. It is made up of an Executive Board and representatives from each of the homerooms. Meetings are open to all. In addition, the Spirit Committee/Social Committee and the Suggestion and Grievance Committee are under the Council's direction.

SO FAR (Student Organization for Animal Rights)
Moderator: Roy Cramer

The members of SO FAR educate others regarding animal abuses, motivating people to take actions that will correct abuse and alter attitudes of indifference. The club uses letter writing campaigns to enlist public support and networks with other animal rights groups, such as PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), HSUS (Humane Society of the US) and FOA (Friends of Animals).

Student Ambassador Club
Moderator: Carolyn Smith

Students belonging to this club contribute to SDA's recruitment and public relations efforts, serving as ambassadors for the school at High School Information Nights and at SDA's Open House. Freshmen members serve as hostesses for the "Freshman for a Day" program. Members also contribute to the SDA newsletter.

Yoga/Meditation Club
Moderators: Eric Hawthorne, Colette Lenaghan