Clubs and Activities

Performing Arts Activities

Concert Band
In the Concert Band, we play a variety of songs from many genres. We are initiating a new practice schedule this school year. Rehearsals will be held during Friday B Bell and Thursdays after school. We have two scheduled concerts: Christmas and Spring. We are often asked to play for school functions and assemblies, where we perform for the student body. All students are welcome to join regardless of experience; classes and lessons are available. For more information, contact Sister Joanne Mongelli at jmongelli@archwood.org.

String Ensemble
The String Ensemble provides students of the violin, viola, cello, or bass an opportunity to play in a group setting and to gain experience on their instrument. Rehearsals are held during Friday B Bell and Thursdays after school. Our hard work and talent are displayed at two concerts during the school year. We play a variety of pieces from different styles of music and everyone is encouraged to join, including those without any prior experience. For more information, contact Sister Joanne Mongelli at jmongelli@archwood.org.

Choir
Choir is a great place for anyone who loves to sing! No music background is needed because the director guides students and instructs the choir on how to create the best sound to a high level of professionalism. Everyone is very friendly. The music we sing is a mix of contemporary and classical. The choir rehearses after school weekly on Tuesday afternoons and performs in two major concerts a year in addition to other performing opportunities. For more information contact Sister Joanne Mongelli at jmongelli@archwood.org.

Viking Spirit Drum Line
The Viking Spirit Drumline is part of the Performing Arts Department. The drumline was created in the Fall of 2016 and its primary purpose is to provide support to the various sports activities. The drum line performs at various events including - but not limited to - pep rallies, athletic events, and championship celebrations. GO VIKINGS! For more information, contact Sister Joanne at jmongelli@archwood.org

Jazz Band
The Archbishop Wood Jazz Band is a performance ensemble that features students on any and all instruments. The group performs jazz, swing, rock, funk, pop, latin and other popular forms of music. Improvisation plays a major part in the ensemble and is taught in an easy-going, fun manner. The Archbishop Wood Jazz Band performs at school concerts and at a number of assemblies and school events. The group also performs at jazz festivals and competitions. The band rehearses on Wednesday after school, 2:30-4:30 PM. For more information, contact Mr. Jeff Darrohn at jdarrohn@archwood.org.

Theater
The Archbishop Wood Theater Department strives to increase students' knowledge of and skills in all areas of stage productions, including acting, singing, dancing, stage crew, set design, set building, lighting, sound, costumes, makeup, props, and anything else a student may be interested in pursuing! We perform two outstanding musicals per year and supplement them with other events and trips to enhance our students' knowledge and experience with all things theater-related. We hope you'll consider joining our fun theater family! For more information, contact Mr. Chris Seifert at cseifert@archwood.org.
Click here to access the AWHS Performing Arts Page

Service Activities

Athletes Helping Athletes
AHA believes that a world of greater acceptance for all can begin with our children, connecting with local special needs athletes in a spirit of friendship for their mutual benefit and inspiration. Archbishop Wood works with AHA, Inc. to offer other extra-curricular events and activities that provide opportunities for athletes of all abilities and coaches to come together while sharing athletic experiences and a love for sports while developing compassion and mutual respect AND HAVING SOME FUN! For more information, contact Mr. Domenic Mingacci at dmingacci@archwood.org.

The Ambassadors
Archbishop Wood Ambassadors take action with the knowledge that they are selected for the responsibility and privilege of representing over 900 students at Archbishop Wood High School. They work with enthusiasm to promote Catholic education and always with respect for themselves and others. They remain aware that what they say, how they appear and the actions they reflect upon them, Archbishop Wood High School, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and all Catholic school students. They confidently speak up when the topic of Catholic education arises, proactively promote Archbishop Wood and provide thoughtful responses to questions they may receive. They collaborate with their fellow Ambassador members to create new and unique opportunities to promote Archbishop Wood to prospective students and parents. They maintain appropriateness in all Archbishop Wood endeavors and events, including social media. They positively represent themselves and Archbishop Wood in both public and private settings. They are role models for their peers as to how they can all be better representatives of Catholic education and Archbishop Wood High School. For more information, contact Mrs. Melissa Nolan at mnolan@archwood.org.

Community Service Corps
The Community Service Corps (CSC) is a group of students dedicated to serving our neighbors and is inspired by the words of Jesus: “What you did to the least of my brothers you did it for me”(Mt 25:41). Hearing Jesus’ words “you did it for me” confirms that service to our neighbor is service to Jesus. In serving our neighbors our students grow in appreciation and thankfulness for their own gifts and talents and experience the joy of giving. The CSC group is involved in various activities and all are welcome to participate. For more information, contact Father Paul O’Donnell at podonnell@archwood.org.

Vikingthon
“We Sit When Cancer Quits!”
Participants of the Archbishop Wood Vikingthon are joining more than 90,000 students in a powerful movement to conquer childhood cancer. If you are looking to get involved in an extracurricular activity for an incredible cause, this is your club. It’s an amazing opportunity to meet new friends and help others all at the same time. In preparation for our big event, a lot of fundraising and spreading awareness is needed. As a community, we host car washes, bake sales, Christmas volleyball tournaments, and Zumba classes. Our actual Vikingthon is a fun-filled day. Students and teachers donate their hair, we have basketball tournaments and moon bounces, and we dance for hours. Over the last four years, we have raised close to $100,000.00 for all of the kids and families struggling with cancer. What a great feeling to be a part of such a great cause. Come join us; we are always looking for new members. For more information, contact Ms. Tara Murphy at tmurphy@archwood.org.

National Honor Society
Membership in NHS is an honor bestowed upon students in 10th, 11th, and 12th grades. Selection for membership is based upon outstanding scholarship, character, leadership, and dedication to service. Once selected, these members must continue to demonstrate these qualities within the school and the local community. The projects of the NHS include weekly tutoring, the Veterans Day Assembly and fundraiser, the Christmas Cookie Drive, our annual Easter Egg Hunt for the children at Nativity School, and various other service events throughout the year. Members of NHS are also frequently called upon to represent the school at special events such as Back to School Night and Open House. These students are considered the role models of the school and, as such, are expected to exemplify the highest standards of Archbishop Wood High School. For more information, contact Dr. Kathy Nobles at knobles@archwood.org.

Respect Life Group
The Respect Life Group is a group of students dedicated to promoting the proper respect for all human life. All human beings are created in God’s image and likeness and possess a special dignity given to them by God alone (cf. Gen 1:27). At the heart of every believer is a grateful heart - grateful for the gift of life. In thanksgiving for their many blessings, our students stand up for those who are most vulnerable, for those who have no voice, and defend their lives. All students are always welcome to participate. For more information, contact Father Paul O’Donnell at podonnell@archwood.org.

Student Council
For more information, please contact Mrs. Marie Kasperski at mkasperski@archwood.org.

Science Activities

Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA)
At Archbishop Wood, we have an active Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) chapter. HOSA is a national and state medical education organization that is connected to our Medical Careers Academy. Sophomore, junior and senior students may join HOSA. HOSA hosts medical educational lectures, sponsors two Red Cross Blood Drives during the school year, sponsors CPR training, takes a team of students to compete in the state leadership conference every year and provides an opportunity for our students to take on medical leadership roles at our local chapter and the state level. HOSA is open to any student who wants to investigate the world of health care as a possible career. For more information, contact Dr. Jerry Halloran at jhalloran@archwood.org.

Robotics Team
The Robotics Team focuses on a synergistic type of teamwork intended to design, build, program, customize and operate a robot in an allotted time-frame of six weeks. The robot must be able to complete an assigned task and compete against other robots from opposing schools. What makes this activity so unique is that the number of different groups that comprise the team needs to work in parallel to ready the robot and see it through the competition. The Programming and Controls Group is responsible for writing the software code that determines how the robot performs. The Electrical Group is responsible for the wiring and electrical power. The Mechanical and Pneumatic System Group is responsible for designing the fabricating the arms and appendages for the robot. The Drive System Group is responsible for designing how the robot moves from point to point, the strategy group designs the strategies for winning the game. The Field Group is responsible for building and maintaining a practice field. The Outreach Group is responsible for our STEM and community service activities. The Marketing Group is responsible for securing our operating funds. These teams must prepare separately and then come together in synergy on the day of the competition. More information can be found on the team's website at www.robovikings.com or by contacting Mr. Thom Galie at tgalie@archwood.org.

Multimedia Activities

Viking Voice
The Viking Voice is a student-produced campus newspaper. The Viking Voice staff welcomes motivated and enthusiastic student contributors to all skill levels. Student contributors can choose to work on each of our quarterly issues or contribute on a per issue basis as:

• Writers for campus news, sports, editorials, entertainment, and reviews
• Editors
• Photographers
• Artists

For more information, contact Mr. Domenic Mingacci at dmingacci@archwood.org.

Television Services
Television Services coordinates the school’s closed-circuit television network and works with the staff to implement its use in the curriculum. Each morning, the news of the day, upcoming events and sports results are broadcast to the school by a crew of student technicians and student reporters. Guest appearances on TV are made by members of other clubs and teams, as well as by members of the administration. Students use this time on the TV to promote their activity or sporting event. For more information, contact Mr. Wally Donovan at wdonovan@archwood.org.

Yearbook
The yearbook is an all-year activity for students. The senior editors, along with the dedicated staff of underclassmen, attempt to capture the memorable moments of the school year and create a lasting treasure. The members of the yearbook staff work diligently to provide a record of the year’s activities and characters. All students are encouraged to become part of this important activity. For more information, contact Mr. Steve Mach at smach@archwood.org.

Ink! Creative Writing Magazine
For more information, please contact Mr. Domenic Mingacci at dmingacci@archwood.org.

Academic Competition Activities

Chess Team
We practice and play chess against competing local high schools as part of the Lower Bucks County Scholastic Chess League. For more information, contact Ms. Bridget McLaughlin at bmclaughlin@archwood.org.

Mathletes
JV Mathletes competes monthly against other schools in the Archdiocese on various topics in mathematics. The scores are tallied at the end of the season and the highest participants are awarded prizes. JV Mathletes is open to all freshmen and sophomores. For more information, contact Mr. Domenic Mingacci at dmingacci@archwood.org.

Mock Trial
The Mock Trial Team is for students who are interested in law. The team prepares actual legal briefs to be presented at both the Montgomery County and Bucks County Courthouses. The members of the team assume the roles of Judge, Prosecutor and Defense Attorney as they present their case against teams from area schools. For more information, contact Mr. Wally Donovan at wdonovan@archwood.org.

Quiz Bowl
A club where students can participate in academic competitions between different groups of students from various schools throughout Pennsylvania. For more information, contact Mr. Kevin Rosini at krosini@archwood.org.

Speech and Debate Team
The Speech and Debate Team, also known as Forensics, will help students to become more confident in their public speaking abilities. This is accomplished through participation in tournaments, where students compete against other students via delivery of speeches, short stories, poems, and persuasive essays, as well as participation in student congress, Lincoln Douglas debate, public forum, and policy debate. We have practice once per week on Thursdays until 3:30, and attend several local tournaments throughout the year. Qualifying students may participate in the National Catholic Forensic League tournament in May. All students are welcome to participate - no experience is necessary! We will teach you all you need to know to be successful! For more information, contact Ms. Sharon Hartranft at shartranft@archwood.org.

Special Interest Activities

Art Club
Art Club is a place where anyone with an interest in art can explore several mediums while having a fun time with friends. We meet one day a week after school in Room 212. Past projects have included the Paint a Plow Competition, painting ceiling tiles and holiday-themed projects. Any skill level is welcomed. Student ideas are encouraged and supported. For more information, contact Ms. Heather Polin at hpolin@archwood.org.

Movie Club
For more information, please contact Mr. Domenic Mingacci at dmingacci@archwood.org.

Ping Pong Club
All students are invited to come and spend an afternoon of fun, a little food and making new friendships, all the while playing the great game of ping pong. For more information, contact Fr. Paul O’Donnell at podonnell@archwood.org.

Viking Spirit Stitchers
Viking Spirit Stitchers meet once a week or when time permits. Knitting instructions are shared from how to hold the needles to creating cable stitches for all levels of experience. For more information, contact Sister Joanne Mongelli at jmongelli@archwood.org.

Wood Activities Committee School Spirit Club (The Wackies)
For more information, please contact Mr. Steve Mach at smach@archwood.org.