CLUBS AND ACTIVITIES

* indicates active club for the 2024-25 school year

BLACK STUDENT UNION*

This committee focuses on the celebration of diversity, encourages the practice of equity, helps to build understanding among all SOTA students, and works to actively engage our school community to create pathways to freedom and justice for all people. SOTA is dedicated to affirming the lives of black children, who represent the majority of our students, and to promote understanding that will strengthen the SOTA community as a whole.  Meetings are Thursdays.

ADVISORS: Katharine Majak, Jeremy Morrow, Melinda Phillips 

CHESS TEAM/CLUB – Grades 7-12

SOTA students play chess with other team-mates and teams from area schools and compete in area competitions. This exciting game of skill, strategy and concentration provides an excellent opportunity for students to develop focus and academic discipline. 

ADVISOR: Heidi Breidenstein

MEETINGS: Thursdays 3:30-4:30 (A433)

DANCE CLUB

Dance Club is run by the senior dance dance majors under  the guidance of the dance department faculty .   This club is open to all students in all grades .  The club meets to gather all together to discuss topics of importance and interest.  It affords students time to discuss opportunities for master classes, field trips, class collaborations, performances, issues around hot button topics and just to get to know each other !!!

ADVISOR: Bridget Bell

DIGITAL MEDIA CLUB*

Brand new to SOTA this year is Digital Media Club! Students gather in the computer lab to learn a variety of digital art making skills in a self-directed fashion. On occasion, students participate in group projects that help build necessary basic skills to enable them to expand their digital art making skills. Students participate in animation, digital drawing, graphic design, and other concepts while utilizing the Adobe creative suite and other apps. The club has a wish list with plans to organize fundraisers for years to come. 

ADVISOR: Kay Nowicki

DRAMA PRODUCTIONS – Grades 7-12*

Click HERE for audition information

You may participate in any SOTA Drama production by auditioning and being selected as a cast member. The shows are open to students in all grade levels.  The Middle School production takes place in late spring and is comprised solely of students in Grades 7-9.   All students may audition; being a Drama major is not a requirement. 

ADVISORS: SOTA Drama Department

Drone Club*

Purpose of the club:

Have fun and fly drones while promoting socialization, teamwork, and healthy competition by coding drones and flying through obstacle courses. Students will have opportunities to engage in engaging, authentic challenges that build skills needed in STEM learning. When weather permits we will fly outside learning the rules of public drone safety and practicing drone photography. 

*Students are encouraged to bring their own drones or use our 15 mini drones, 3 Racing Drones, 1 DJI Mavic Air 2 drone with 4k and HD photo quality

Meets every other Tuesday

ADVISOR: Paul Geary

GAME CLUB – Grades 7-12

The Game Club student members learn how to play strategic board games that take more use of the creative side of students.  The games chosen are complex in nature, but targeted to member’s interests.  The members engage in gaming and analyze the outcomes, strategies, theories and structures.  The overarching goal is to develop understandings of the underlying Math, ELA, team building and conflict resolution base skills. 

The Game Club student members learn how to play strategic board games that take more use of the creative side of students.  The games chosen are complex in nature, but targeted to member’s interests.  The members engage in gaming and analyze the outcomes, strategies, theories and structures.  The overarching goal is to develop understandings of the underlying Math, ELA, team building and conflict resolution base skills. 

ADVISOR: Paul Geary

GARDENING CLUB - Grades 7-12*

Students will learn basic gardening skills.  Our activities include starting flowers and vegetables from seeds, maintaining and planting flower beds and harvesting plants.  This winter we will be learning about hydroponics and how to grow plants in our new system.  We will fertilize, water, and prune the plants as needed.  After the first frost we will bring plants outside to grow in our custom-made container garden.  Students will be able to take plants home at the end of the school year to maintain over the summer.  At different times of the year, we will have celebrations and harvest food we have grown and cook the food during club meetings.

Use code imiwh3u to join the Google Classroom.

ADVISORS: Katharine Kays and Michael Murphy  

GENDER SEXUALITY ALLIANCE – Grades 7-12*

This is a support group for LGBTQIA+ students and their allies. Meetings are held monthly. Each school year the group hosts a Day of Silence. This is a day observed nationally; students refrain from speaking in support of young people suffering from harassment and bullying based on their sexual orientation and/or gender identity. Participation is optional. 

ADVISOR: Meagan Harris, Jeremy Morrow, Ashley Perez, Julie Rosette

GREEN CREW - Grades 7 - 12

This is an Environmental Club that focuses on raising awareness and taking action steps to conserve resources at School of the Arts.  This club will teach students how be active in recycling, energy conservation, composting,environmental awareness and keeping SOTA beautiful. 

ADVISOR: Rob Arrendell

JUNIOR / SENIOR CLASS CLUB*

This group helps plan all senior and junior activities. They pick the theme for prom, help with fundraising for senior events, and help plan the celebrations for seniors year.

Meetings are held on Mondays.

Advisor: Katharine Majak

LITERARY MAGAZINE - LAMBENT – Grades 7-12*

Our school’s literary magazine, Lambent, features student created short fiction, poetry, creative non-fiction and photography. Accepts annual submissions from students in grades 7-12.  The Lambent is published in May or June.  

ADVISORS:  Bradley Craddock, Marcy Gamzon

MASTERMINDS – Grades 9-12

MasterMinds is the academic challenge team similar to College Bowl. The game is played with a team of four students who answer toss-up questions and then receive bonus questions if the toss-up is answered correctly. Questions cover the areas of history, literature, science, music, art, pop culture and current events. School of the Arts competes in League 2 in the Greater Rochester area.  There are six monthly meets in the season, followed by the playoffs in the spring. This year we have both a varsity and junior varsity team. To follow our team standings check the Democrat and Chronicle or visit the MasterMinds website at www.newyorkrminds.com.  

ADVISORS:  Heidi Breidenstein

MEETINGS: Tuesdays 3:30-4:30 (A433)

MATH LEAGUE – Grades 7-12*

Monroe County Math League (MCML) provides a venue for students from schools in the Monroe County area to participate in monthly challenging math competitions after school during October through February.  Each monthly competition involves challenging math problems related to the five topics for the given month.  These meets improve creative problem-solving skills and boost student confidence in Math. The top 15 mathletes from School of the Arts are invited to participate in the county meet sometime in March.  The season culminates with the top 35 students from the county being invited to attend NYSML, the state competition, usually in April.   Meets are once per month from October to February and optional practice sessions are offered prior to each meet.

ADVISOR: Angela Fixsen & Pratima Kumar

MEETINGS: See Calendar

 MODEL UNITED NATIONS – Grades 9-12

The Model United Nations Club is open to any student in Grades 9-12. It is customary for members to meet on designated Thursday afternoon after-school in the fall.  In the winter, students prepare for conferences that are held in November and March. Students who are interested in learning about the next conference should contact the advisor, preferably during Period 1. Actual meeting dates to prepare for the March conference will be announced at a later date. The advisors may also meet privately, by prior arrangements, with any student interested in knowing what actually goes on at a Model United Nations Conference.  Who is likely to join Model UN?  Students who think they would enjoy learning about another country’s issues and politics are ideal. These “representatives” change from researchers to actors if they decide to make a presentation, but they can also choose a low-key “listening” and “consulting” role, as they take regular breaks to discuss the hot issues of the day with the representatives of other nations.  Students who are intrigued should see one of the advisors. They can attend a meeting at SOTA and ask the veteran participants to describe the excitement found at a Model United Nations Conference, and the opportunity, as well to meet students from many other parts of New York State. 

ADVISORS: James Tillotson, Amy Labrosa

MOSAICS *

Mosaics is a SOTA club dedicated to addressing school climate, culture, and -isms. Students have the opportunity to meet bi-weekly in student-directed meetings aimed at creating actionable items to help improve the school wide community. Participating students also have the opportunity to attend the Biennial Roc2Change events hosted and run by their peers from schools across the county.

ADVISORS: Andrew Episcopo, Karen Nolan, Julie Rosette

PODCAST CLUB*

Our club is committed to the following principles:

Amplifying Student Voices: We believe in the power of every student's voice. We strive to create a safe and inclusive space where members can express themselves, share their perspectives, and engage in meaningful conversations about various topics.

Fostering Creativity: We encourage members to tap into their creativity, imagination, and innovative thinking to craft compelling podcast content. Whether it's storytelling, interviews, or discussions, we aim to inspire and showcase our members' artistic and intellectual potential.

Promoting Critical Thinking: Podcasting is a platform that encourages critical analysis and research. Our club seeks to enhance members' critical thinking skills by facilitating in-depth discussions, fact-checking, and thoughtful commentary on current events, social issues, and personal experiences.

Building Communication Skills: Effective communication is a crucial life skill. Through podcasting, we allow members to improve their public speaking, interviewing, and audio editing skills, enhancing their ability to express themselves confidently and eloquently.

Fostering Community: We strive to create a sense of belonging within our high school community. By sharing our podcasts with peers and teachers, we hope to spark meaningful dialogues and connections, fostering a culture of respect and understanding.

Continuous Growth: We are committed to continuous improvement and learning. Our club offers resources, workshops, and mentorship to help members develop their podcasting skills and grow as creators. 

ADVISOR: Joshua Bassette

ROC RESPONDERS

Students who are trained in restorative language, restorative questions, and active listening be assistants in interactions with peers- not mediators, simply helping peers think of how situations could be handled restoratively.

ADVISORS: Andrew Episcipo, Julie Rosette

SOTA IMAGE MAKERS PHOTO CLUB – Grades 7-12*

The objective of the Photo Club is to help the students master the art of making a picture, not just taking a picture.  It is never our intention to make images that would be later repaired in Photoshop.  Students learn to control each step of the creative process of exposure, composition, framing the image by cropping in-camera, point of view, point of focus, depth of field, color temperature of light and angle of view are some of the key elements covered each year.  

ADVISORS:  Kelly Watson

SOTA SUPERSTARS*

SOTA Superstars is a school-wide incentive that rewards our students for aspiring to high standards.  It acknowledges academic excellence as a priority.  It is also inclusive of other variables that are necessary for student success. As such, students who meet the designated criteria for SOTA Superstars will be treated to a special catered luncheon.  This luncheon will occur three (3) times a year after marking Periods 1, 2, 3.

ADVISOR:  Brian Chandler

SOTA SPORTS -- Grades 7-12*

Sign-up sheets for sports are posted in the locker rooms, gym, and around the school.  You must have a 2.0 overall grade average, 90% school attendance, and good citizenship to participate.  Seasonal meetings are held with students interested in participating in each season’s sports.  Every student involved in a sports activity must have a physical examination within the past year on file in the nurse’s office, along with a current tetanus shot on record and orders for self-carry medications on file if needed.  You can check the status of your physical at any time from the nurse. In addition to eligibility, a currently physical is required.

CONTACT: Rick Roche

SKI CLUB – Grades 7-12*

Students enjoy skiing on Bristol Mountain on Friday evenings for a total of six trips, including a full day on the slopes to be determined. SOTA students will travel to and from Bristol on a bus to participate in this winter activity.  

ADVISOR: Jimmy Hartmann

THE SOTA YEARBOOK – ARTIS – Grades 7-12*

Artis is a Latin word meaning “of the arts.” Our yearbook documents the events and happenings at School of the Arts each year.. Students are involved in designing, creating and producing the yearbook. Application for participation may be required. 

ADVISOR: Kay Nowicki

SPEECH AND DEBATE – FORENSICS – Grades 9-12*

SOTA is a member of the Genesee Valley Forensic League (G.V.F.L.), an organization of secondary school Speech and Debate Teams in the Rochester, NY area. Through interscholastic contests in debate and in public speaking, the G.V.F.L. secondary school students to compete in tournaments and exercise their speaking skills.  Member teams compete at all-day tournaments that are on Saturday approximately twice a month. There are seven different categories G.V.F.L. competitors may participate in including: Dramatic Interpretation, Duo Interpretation, Declamation, Original Oratory, Oral Interpretation, Extemporaneous Speaking and National Tournament.  Students become eligible for state and national tournaments as well.  The Speech and Debate Team welcomes students in Grades 9 – 12 throughout the year, and meet on Tuesday after-school to practice and prepare for tournaments. 

ADVISOR:  Marcy Gamzon

STUDENT COUNCIL– Grades 7-12*

The Student Council is run entirely by SOTA school students and works hard to improve the quality of student life at SOTA.   Students in grades 7-12 are eligible to participate and run for Student Council.  The Student Council is the student’s voice in the school community and is responsible for a variety of activities including the Talent Show, Spirit Week, SOTA T-shirt Design and First-Generation College Scholarship. 

ADVISORS: Grades 7 – 9: Ramon Diaz; Grades 10 – 12: Michael Murphy & James Tillotson

THERAPY DOGS CLUB *

The Therapy Dogs club members act as a liaison between our visiting furry friends and the classes they will visit.  They meet monthly - either during  lunch or after school to learn about the dogs and their training process.

Open to all students grades 7-12. Club members are given small group meet and greet sessions with dogs during lunch and free periods though-out school year. In order to join please send name, grade, free periods and email to: Sherry.Vandermallie@rcsdk12.org

ADVISORS: Sherry Vandermallie

ULTIMATE FRISBEE 

ADVISOR Joshua Blumpkin

WEIGHTLIFTING CLUB – Grades 7-12

The Weightlifting Club is an after-school activity.  As part of this program of strength training and conditioning, students will have the opportunity to improve their level of fitness through a variety of weight-training exercises.  The focus is on proper technique and fostering a lifetime commitment to a healthy level of fitness. 

ADVISOR: Brian Chandler

MEETINGS: Tuesday & Thursdays 3:30-4:30 (Weight Room)

YEARBOOK CLUB*

For the first time in a long time, Yearbook club is back! The goal of this club is to give students a voice when it comes to how they are represented in their yearbook. Students meet at least twice a month to discuss yearbook design such as theme, pages, images, and graphic design elements. Students volunteer to run fundraisers with the goal of receiving cheaper or even free yearbooks. The club allows High school students to mentor and lead middle school aged students as they work together to create a unified yearbook that represents the current student body and their interests.

ADVISOR: Kay Nowicki