Clubs & Activities

The Acts29 Peer Ministry team strives to develop strong Catholic leaders and Christian disciples to serve in the various components of our middle and high school campus ministry. These specifically chosen peer ministers, who exhibit a willingness to serve, lead, and support their peers, will develop a deeper relationship with God, a stronger Catholic identity, and a clearer understanding of their place of importance in the community. Through a wide variety of ministry roles, Acts29 peer ministers will help lead their fellow teens to a life-changing encounter with Jesus Christ.

With our call to discipleship as its cornerstone, Acts29 Peer Ministry is a prime opportunity for all youth to foster their servant leadership potential, build community, and seek out the many ways they can serve as disciples of Christ. Through training and first-hand experience, they will grow a heart for service, learn leadership skills, improve their prayer life, and become an active voice in the church.

We chose the name Acts29 because the Acts of the Apostles contains 28 chapters, and our desire and our prayer is that we will write the next chapter as we build the Kingdom of God one Disciple at a time here at John Paul II…Join us on this journey and let’s encounter Jesus Christ in a deeper way!

Meeting Day/Time:  Wednesdays in MC6
Moderator:  Mr. Joseph Rivera

This year, the Art Club projects will focus on historical content, specifically the American Colonial Period.  Students will explore the roles of the early crafts and trades people with a modern perspective. Art Club is open to 7th and 8th grade students with a serious interest in art and commitment to regular attendance. 

Meeting Day/Time: Every Tuesday and Thursday during DOCS. 
Moderator:  Ms. JoEllen Jacobs

Chess Club is open to middle school students who want to perfect their game of chess.  Students are expected to keep up with school assignments and be passing all classes in order to participate.  At the beginning of each meeting, all members of the club will  pray for healthy competition and good sportsmanship. Students are placed in a bracket with several different players to challenge for the day. Students must already come with some understanding of the game.  

Meeting Day/Time: Every Wednesday in Rm. 147 during DOCS
Moderator: Ms. Sonia Merrick

The JPII Choir Club is JPII's high school vocal music ensemble. This choir rehearses music to help lead and enhance the worship experience of weekly Mass. As a member of the JPII Choir Club, students learn ensemble musicianship, vocal skills, music theory, and a variety of repertoire for other school and community performances. All interested high school students are welcome to join, regardless of previous singing experience! A commitment to regular attendance and a good attitude are the only requirements. 

Meeting Day/Time: Gold Day DOCS in the Multipurpose Room
Moderator: Ms. Emily Brown

DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management. DECA’s comprehensive learning program, which includes DECA’s competitive events, emerging leader series, online challenges and more, will engage and motivate students in unparalleled ways. As a result of participating in DECA, members become academically prepared, community oriented, professionally responsible, experienced leaders.

The JPII DECA Club began in the 2020-2021 school year. DECA’s flagship evaluation process involves students in both a written component such as an exam or report and an interactive component with an industry professional serving as a judge. In JPII's first year, all our members placed in the top 10 for their events at the regional competition. In JPII's first state competition, we had a student finish in first place! This qualified him to compete in the International Career Development Conference (ICDC). We are excited to see the continued success as we grow JPII DECA!

Meeting Day/Time: Blue Day Thursdays in MC7
Moderator: Ms. Tracy Sklarin

JPII Film Club  explores critical topics of film appreciation including the following: The Business of Film, Film Analysis, Film History, and Practical Filmmaking.  Students will learn everything from reading box office results to writing scripts to shooting short movies.  This club will be available for high school students that may wish to explore a career in the industry or simply share a passion for movies.

Meeting Day/Time: Every Tuesday in MC4 during DOCS
Moderator:  Mr. Carl Boem

Model UN is one of the most popular ways to learn about the workings of the United Nations. The United Nations Model UN Program aims to build and maintain strong links between the UN and Model UN participants across the globe. Conferences are organized by hundreds of educational institutions at all levels to engage young students in diplomatic debates and conversations that resemble those at the United Nations. It is often the first time that students are exposed to international affairs. The club is open to sophomores through seniors.

John Paul II School’s club is supported by the World Affairs Council of Hilton Head Island and competes at Winthrop University each spring. Club members represent their chosen countries, write resolutions, and debate issues in committees and the General Assembly at the competition.

Meeting Day/Time: The club meets once a month on Mondays during DOCS from September to December and then several times a month from January until the conference in March in MC1. 
Moderator: Mr. Bill Damude, Ms. Debi Kidd

The National Honor Society (NHS) and National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) are the nation's premier organizations established to recognize outstanding high school and middle school students. More than just an honor roll, NHS and NJHS serves to honor those students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of scholarship, leadership, service, and character.  This directly aligns with our SHIELD values at John Paul II Catholic School. 

To become a member of NHS, a student must demonstrate exceptional academic achievement by maintaining a GPA of 4.0. A NJHS membership requires a minimum grade average of 93% and adds the core value of citizenship. The selection process begins in January following the first semester.  Induction is typically in March. 

Membership in these honor societies does not end with induction, that is only the beginning. Students are expected to be role models for others, commit to community service, maintain their GPA, and provide Christian leadership in their school and community.  Our members are currently involved in various service projects on and off campus.

Meeting Day/Time:  Meetings for current members will be held once or twice per month:  National Honor Society on Mondays and National Junior Honor Society on Tuesdays.  Both groups meet in MC2. Meeting dates will be announced on the corresponding Google Classroom page. 
Moderator:  Ms. Alice Wood/Ms. Kelly Strasser

VEX robotics leverages the “coolness” of robotics, and the excitement of head-to-head competition to inspire and engage students. Students will work on teams to design and build a mobile robot to play a sport-like game in the largest and fastest growing international robotics competition for middle and high school students. During this process they will learn key STEM principles, and robotics concepts. By moving students through an actual engineering project, students quickly understand the relevance of what they are learning. No prior robotics experience is required; teams consist of builders, programmers, notebook development, and drivers. JPII S.H.I.E.L.D. Robotics team members are expected to attend scheduled VEX robotics competitions (these competitions vary throughout the season and will be on Saturdays). Fundraising efforts and travel may be required.  
The HS Robotics team will meet every Blue day during DOCS. The MS Robotics team will meet every Gold day during DOCS. Both teams will meet in room 251.

Meeting Day/Time:  during DOCS in Rm. 251, high school robotics team will meet every Blue Day, middle school robotics team will meet every Gold Day. 
Moderator: Ms. Cadra Rooney

Rhythm Clique is a club that offers a supportive space for musicians of all skill levels to practice and hone their craft.  Whether individual or in small groups, all practice sessions focus on reinforcing fundamental techniques and on upcoming performances.   Members share tips, give feedback, and encourage one another, creating a community dedicated to musical growth.  Rhythm Clique meets during advisory time on Blue Days.  

Servant Leadership Council, a student athletic club deeply rooted in the echoes of the “Play Like A Champion Today” program from the University of Notre Dame. This innovative initiative is tailored for student-athletes, providing a platform to integrate Catholic faith into their athletic endeavors while fostering a commitment to servant leadership. Central to the club's philosophy is the integration of Catholic faith into the lives of student-athletes. The Servant Leadership Council sees sports as a powerful vehicle for spiritual growth and character development. Through regular meetings, prayer sessions, community service, and reflections, the club aims to create an environment where athletes can strengthen their faith while navigating the challenges of competitive sports.

As the student governing organization of the school, the mission of Student Leadership Council is to lead through service.  Student leadership helps share students' ideas, interests, and concerns with teachers and school principals and helps oversee schoolwide House events and other activities such as Friendsgiving.
 

Warriors for Life is a student ministry that celebrates life in all its forms, from conception to natural death. We are a group of JPII students who embrace the teaching of the Catholic Church that all life is given by God and has dignity. We seek out opportunities both in our school community and beyond to promote and embrace the gift of life. 

Our activities for this year include a baby supply drive for nearby crisis pregnancy clinics, pro-life apologetics workshops, guest speaker sessions, and mental health awareness campaigns. Additionally, we organize a pilgrimage to the March For Life in Washington D.C.

Meeting Day/Time: Thursdays during DOCS in MC6
Moderator:  Ms. Ava Hill