Clubs & Organizations

Moderator:  Mrs. Finn

Action/Reaction is a club committed to fostering a heightened student consciousness regarding social issues and to respond to them through in-school, as well as outside volunteer opportunities. A recurring outside activity is making and serving dinner to families who are staying at the Ronald McDonald House while their child receives medical care at Christ Hospital. It is our privilege to provide this service to such deserving and thankful families. We also make Valentines for Veterans, which are then distributed to a local veteran facility.  There are no grade requirements for Action/Reaction members, but they are expected to attend meetings and sign up for service opportunities. 

Moderator: Mr. Meyer

Anime Village is for all students that share an interest in anime and Japanese culture.  We hold discussions about shows, watch monthly anime series as voted on by the members, and learn about the Asian culture.  It is an environment for students to communicate and bond over anime they are passionate about. Anime Village also organizes fundraisers to donate to those in need.
 

Moderator:  Ms. Wheeler & Ms. Woronko

The Black Student Union's primary objective is to empower and support our Black students. Our goal is to be a safe space to educate and inspire others about our race and culture.  The Black Student Union supports the mission of Mother McAuley and the Sisters of Mercy because we will be one band, one sound as we unite in solidarity with all of our peers toward tackling the issue of racism, one of our Mercy Critical Concerns. One of the most important hallmarks of our club is inclusion - we want ALL students to join to promote positive racial relations and to enhance cultural awareness. By joining the BSU, you will form strong relationships with diverse peers, learn more about the Black race and culture, and work to empower our students and communities of color.   

Moderator:  Ms. Gralak

Through the discussions of various works of literature, the Book Club promotes critical thinking and effective communication while nurturing the habit of reading for enjoyment. The Book Club is open to all students.

Moderator: Mrs. Hart 

No experience needed! You will learn the skills you need to measure, find, and create  costumes and accessories for the cast of the musical, spring play, and one acts. You will work on projects under the guidance of Mrs. Hart and the head of costume crew including how to apply stage makeup and style hair for various productions. 

Moderator:  Mrs. Shinners

The culinary club is open for all students interested in gaining experience in the culinary arts. This club will meet 1-2 times a month in McAuley's kitchen to collaborate on and learn how to prepare new dishes. Each meeting will alternate between a cooking or baking project. Service opportunities will be available to members of the club.

Moderator: Mr. Bochenzcak

D&D Club is a space where Mother McAuley and Brother Rice students can learn how to play Dungeons & Dragons and play with other students in an ongoing story. Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy tabletop roleplaying game where a group of people meet up and create a story together using the game's rules and unique dice. It's a great opportunity to laugh and meet new people with like-minded interests.

Moderator:  Mrs. Dowden

The EcoMacs is an environmental service club. Through monthly meetings and activities, like upcycling and stewardship, we strive to educate the McAuley community on issues facing our planet. We encourage students and the community to recognize their role in helping the environment. All McAuley students interested in the care of our earth are welcome to join.

Moderator: Mrs. Wheeler and Mrs. Vanderwerf

Macs Majorette is a new dance club that is open to all grades. Majorette is a form of dance that incorporates high energy movement, baton twirling, and gymnastics. No experience is needed. Come as you are to participate or give input with choreography.

Moderator: Mr. Eberheard 

The Mother McAuley Mariachi Club is for groups of students who are interested in enhancing their performing abilities and spreading the joy of Hispanic culture. Mariachi is a traditional form of music originating in Mexico. Students in this club will have the opportunity to sing and play for their McAuley community. Throughout the year we will perform for masses, concerts, and many other events that McAuley has to offer. 

Moderator:  Ms. Scholl

Math Macs are McAuley students with special talent and interest in the field of mathematics. They participate in math competitions with other high schools in the Chicagoland area. Any student can attend the first three competitions and participate as individuals. To participate in team events, students must attend the scheduled practices prior to the competitions. For the official state competitions, we can only bring ten students per grade level. Students are invited to participate in the official state contests based on their participation and performance in the first three competitions. All competitions are held on Saturdays.

Moderator: Mr. Hildner and Mrs. Shinners

The Mock Trial Club is an educational and fun experience for all levels of high school students. In addition to learning courtroom procedures, making real world connections with attorneys and alumni, and honing oral and persuasive skills, students learn how our society’s legal mechanism works to resolve disputes. Students also develop valuable life-long skills such as critical thinking, questioning, listening, strategic thinking, as well as skills in oral presentation and organization. Many students participate in a regional tournament against other high schools with the potential to move to a statewide competition in addition to fulfilling leadership roles in the school and the larger community through service projects. Some students may participate in a regional tournament against other high schools. This is an ideal activity for students who are interested in law or law-related careers or wish to strengthen their public speaking skills or persuasive writing and argumentation.

Moderator:  Mr. Hildner and Mrs. Shinners

Model U.N. is an exciting opportunity for students from McAuley to join students from other high schools to discuss political, social and economic issues that are impacting the world community. Students act as diplomats for assigned countries at a Model United Nations conference and learn the skills of research, resolution writing, and informal and formal debate. Students in Model UN spend three to four days at conferences sponsored by various universities. These conferences are facilitated by university students who use the same meeting framework as the United Nations in New York. The club is open to all grade levels, meets weekly and more often as deadlines for conferences become closer.

Moderator:  Ms. Kotas

The Mother McAuley chapter of the National Art Honor Society is a division of the parent organization of the same name. This group of sophomore, junior and senior students is chosen by the Visual Arts & Technology Department faculty. Membership in this chapter is based upon art scholarship, service and character. The purpose of this chapter is to insure and recognize those students who have shown outstanding ability in art, to foster excellence and a dedicated spirit to the pursuit of art, to further creative abilities and talents of the society’s members, to aid members in working toward the attainment of their highest potential in an art area and bring art to the attention of the school and community. To be eligible for selection to membership in this chapter, the candidate must be a high school student enrolled in grade 10, 11, or 12 in this school, and have completed a period equivalent to one semester of art in this school and currently be enrolled in at least one semester of art. An eligible candidate shall have and maintain a minimum art scholarship average of B (3.0 G.P. A), or this school’s equivalent. This is the national minimum standard of achievement required for eligibility and shall remain fixed.

Moderator:  Mrs. Bewley

The National English Honor Society is a chapter of the parent organization of the same name. NEHS strives to create an atmosphere of enthusiastic members who share their love of language and literature with the community.  Members are admitted in May of their sophomore year and serve for two years. Members meet monthly and are required to attend all events.

Moderator:  Ms. Edmaiston

The Société Honoraire de Français is a chapter of the national organization. Our goals are to encourage and stimulate interest in the French language and culture, to recognize those juniors and seniors who have maintained a high scholastic average in French, and to offer service to the school and the community. SHF members provide tutoring to less experienced students. They raise money for scholarship, local charities.

Moderators:  Mrs. Clifford and Mr. Meyer 

The Science National Honor Society is a nationally recognized organization composed of junior and senior students. The society was organized with the following objectives: to encourage and recognize scientific and intellectual thought, to advance students’ knowledge of classical and modern science, to communicate with the scientific community, to aid the civic community with its comprehension of science, and to encourage students to participate in community service and in turn, encourage a dedication to the pursuit of scientific knowledge that benefits all of mankind. To be eligible, students must be in an AP of honors science course, have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 and GPA in science classes of 4.0. Initiation takes place in the fall. Students organize and participate in in-school activities such as science trivia, Earth Day events, STEM week, Mole Day, Pi Day, and the Middle School Science Bowl, to name a few. 

Moderators:  Ms. Voegtle

This club is a safe space for women to educate both themselves and others about issues that matter to them. Open discussion about important topics is encouraged at every meeting, with subjects ranging from local issues to problems that affect the whole world. Club members will help guide the club’s trajectory, as members will determine the discussion topics of each meeting. All members must be respectful and open-minded during discussions.

Moderators:  Mrs. Geary and Mrs. Zeilner

The mission of the Spanish club is to help create understanding and promote enthusiasm for the various aspects of Spanish-speaking cultures and the Spanish language. The moderators, with the help of student officers, organize and provide activities that extend and enrich language and classroom learning. Students engage in cultural activities that include crafts, games, making and eating Hispanic foods, watching videos in Spanish, special guest presentations and occasional trips to restaurants and exhibits. The club participates in two service projects every school year – one with the neighboring members of the community and one within the McAuley community itself. Club members also participate in fundraisers to curtail club expenses. Membership is open to any student that is currently enrolled in a Spanish class. Meetings are held once a month after school and focus on a cultural aspect of the Spanish-speaking world. Students participate in fun and educational hands-on activities to enhance their understanding of Hispanic cultures.

Moderator:  Ms. McCasland

This activity provides students of all levels the opportunity to learn set and prop construction, carpentry skills and design techniques. Students are primarily responsible for assisting in the production of school shows. Running crew, set and prop movement is comprised of those students who have consistently contributed time and effort in the construction of sets.

Moderator:  Mrs. White, Ms. Sheridan & Ms. Lara

Student Ambassadors are dynamic young women dedicated to the mission of Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School. Grounded in the charism of the Sisters of Mercy, Student Ambassadors positively witness the surrounding community, most importantly prospective students, and the values of single gender education within the Catholic Tradition. Specific criteria and requirements must be met for membership.

Student Ambassadors are visible at various events where prospective students and families are present in order to highlight the “lifetime advantages” of an education at Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School.  While serving Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School in this capacity, Student Ambassadors have the unique opportunity to develop and receive training in communication, public relations and interpersonal skills.

Moderator:  Ms. Zajack

The purpose of Student Government is to contribute to the development of student leadership and enthusiasm within our school community through:

• respecting the uniqueness of each person
• encouraging and supporting the growing leadership qualities of students
• promoting school spirit and pride in accomplishments
• serving as a liaison between the McAuley administration and students regarding mutual concerns, problems and events

Elected members work together through weekly meetings to continue the work of the standing Student Government Committees: recognition, service, leadership development, public relations, and spirit. Student Government strives to promote and lead a new event each month that involves both students and faculty/staff.

Moderator: Mrs. Guardi

This club is open to all students interested in knitting. Tightly Knit Community meets weekly on Fridays, and all knitting is donated to charity. The completion of the project allows members to earn service hours for Theology. No knitting experience is necessary to join.

Moderator:  Ms. Sheridan and Mr. Staal

The Varsity Club is for students interested in promoting and upholding school spirit, developing good sportsmanship, and relations between teams during events and in the community. Members will attend scheduled sporting events, plan spirit wear, and participate in a variety of other activities.  

Moderators:  Mrs. Webber 

Women Who Write is a club centered on expression through the written word. Writers of all levels and abilities will find a safe place to work on their craft in a variety of formats such as stories, poetry, and spoken word. The goal of Women Who Write is to write and share. Opportunities to share include reading at our club meetings, open mic nights, and possible inter-school competition teams. Members should expect to work on their writing, share their writing with the club and maybe even with a public audience. We meet twice a month and performance teams will meet more often. Members should be respectful of all writing talents. Sharing our writing brings the club members closer together. This relationship needs to be respected.