Clubs
There are many different clubs for all levels of interests from Academic Bowl to World UN, there's truly something for everyone!
Academic Bowl
The BSHS Academic Bowl Team competes head-to-head against other Chester County schools at monthly competitions to answer questions from all areas of knowledge! If you love learning and friendly competitions, then this club is for you.
Moderators: Mrs. Stacey Ivkovich, sivkovich@shanahan.org
Ambassadors Club
The Ambassadors Club is dedicated to helping new students adjust at Shanahan, and works to develop unity within the Shanahan community. They support school activities and events by assisting guests and new students! If you enjoy being hospitable and helping others, then this club is for you. Some events include orientation days, Grandparents Day, Designer Bag BINGO fundraiser, Christmas Craft & Gift Show, Auction fundraiser, St. Agnes Reunion, and many more!
Moderator: Sister Hannah Miller, hmiller@shanahan.org
Aquila
Aquila is the BSHS Yearbook! They provide the student body with a book of yearly memories, working diligently to capture both the students in action, and the important events of the school year. This hardworking group designs, organizes, and constructs layouts for the yearbook, focusing on a special theme each year! If you are creative, enjoy writing and/or photography, then this club is for you.
Moderator: Ms. Jennifer Scullin, jennifer.scullin@shanahan.org
Art Club
The Art Club aims to provide its members with various opportunities for creative expression. If you are creative, enjoy sketching, drawing, painting, and even mixed media, then this club is for you. The group selects special projects to work on throughout the school year. This club also often assists the school community with scenery work for the annual school play and banners for the Battle of the Bands.
Moderator: Mrs. Mary Ann Thompson, mthompson@shanahan.org
Bands & Ensembles
Students are welcome to the BSHS Fine Arts Department where they will find the Brass Ensemble, Concert Band, Jazz Band, Marching Band, String Ensemble, and Woodwind Ensemble.
Bible Study (Unshaken)
Unshaken is the "Walking with Purpose" Bible study for Teen girls! This is a new club this year at Shanahan. Any girl from grades 9-12 are welcome! The club will be meeting every other Thursday after school in room 112. They will have their first informational meeting on Thursday, September 23 after school.
Moderator: Mrs. Mary Beth Kilpatrick, mkilpatrick@shanahan.org
Book Club
The BSHS Book Club is dedicated to allowing students to read outside of their own comfort zone. In this club, books will be themed monthly with educational novels or fun fiction books. Every two weeks, a previous week's book will be discussed, and then the group will select a new one, majority rules! This club allows students to take on leadership roles, improve critical thinking skills through focused reading, plus share their thoughts on the books through guided group discussions.
Moderator: Mrs. Deborah Snyder, dsnyder@shanahan.org
Bowling Club
The BSHS Bowling Club is open to two kinds of bowlers:
- Players who desire a competitive-league atmosphere of bowling. Teams are comprised of 4/5 members. Players on a competitive league team are accountable each week for attendance and the bowling fee.
- Players who desire a more leisurely, fun atmosphere of bowling. Lanes are reserved for "open bowling," where the participants can bowl as many games as they want- for about 2 hours.
For all bowlers:
- Bowling takes place at "The Palace" Bowling Center on Lancaster Pike (very far end of the "Chick-fil-A" parking lot).
- The Bowling Club usually meets on Tuesday afternoons- immediately after school.
- The bowling season runs from mid-November until mid-February.
- For everyone, the fee to bowl is $10 per visit- except as outlined above for "league bowlers." This is a discounted rate given to Bishop Shanahan bowlers, for which we are grateful to "The Palace."
- The Bowling Club is open to all male and female Bishop Shanahan current students.
Please join us! Bowling is probably right up your alley...
Moderator: Father William Chiriaco, frwilliam@shanahan.org
Business Club/DECA
DECA is an international business organization which prepares emerging leaders at both high school and collegiate levels in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management. The BSHS DECA chapter is the 6th largest chapter in the state and the 3rd largest in District 9. It has become a popular opportunity for BSHS students to network, investigate the business world, and consider next steps, especially for those who plan to pursue business majors and careers.
Moderator: Mrs. Teresa Dellicompagni, tdellicompagni@shanahan.org and Mr. Robert Seefeldt, rseefeldt@shanahan.org
Channel Two TV Studio
Each morning, the students of Channel 2 greet the student body with the daily announcements and sports reports. If you are interested in studying journalism or meteorology, or in becoming a news or sports caster one day, then this club will give you great exposure to that career path.
Moderator: Mr. Brett Weinhardt, bweinhardt@shanahan.org
Chinese Club
The Chinese Club gives students an opportunity to celebrate and learn more about Chinese culture. Meetings are held every week this semester and include fun activities related to China and Chinese culture, such as Chinese calligraphy, paper cutting, movies, cooking, abacus, etc. Everyone interested in Chinese culture is welcome to join, so the club can share experiences and deepen the appreciation for the culture.
Moderator: Mrs. Caihong Ye, cye@shanahan.org
Choirs
Students are welcome to the Fine Arts Department where they'll discover the Choral Ensemble, Festival Choirs, Mixed Chorus, "Sha-Capella," and Liturgical Choir.
Community Service Corps
The BSHS Community Service Corps (CSC) is an organization dedicated to service throughout the Shanahan and Chester County communities. CSC members exemplify our school motto of being "People of God; People for Others," and find joy in serving their classmates, school and community through a variety of events. By providing aid and assistance to those in need, they organize monthly service projects and collections through the efforts of the exceptional members, and seek to participate in various local volunteer opportunities. The CSC at Shanahan is open to all students at all grade levels.
Moderator: Sister Christina Roberts, croberts@shanahan.org
Environmental Stewardship Club
The Environmental Stewardship Club is dedicated to the responsible use and protection of the natural environment through conservation and sustainable practices. They participate in different service projects such as tree plantings, and also sell special items made by the club at the Christmas Craft & Gift Show each year.
Moderator: Ms. Corinne Alfano, calfano@shanahan.org
eSports Club
Many high schools and universities have powered-up eSports and have seen the benefits. Check out the current list of National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE). Now it's time for Bishop Shanahan to Get in the Game! Click here to learn more.
Moderator: Mr. Robert Seefeldt, rseefeldt@shanahan.org
Forensics
The Forensics team takes part in a variety of oral communication competitions. Students research, develop, practice, and deliver their performances which include speeches, interpretations or dramatizations of literature, and congress sessions.
Moderators: Mr. Ken Schmidt, kschmidt@shanahan.org and Andrea Herb, aherb@shanahan.org
French Club
The French Club is meant to give all Shanahan students, particularly those who study French, a chance to learn more about the culture. The club also participates in special club-selected service projects and field trips. Last year the club purchased a llama for a farming family in need and visited the Philadelphia Art Museum.
Moderator: Mrs. Dorothy Carbonaro, dcarbonaro@shanahan.org
Game Club
The Bishop Shanahan Game Club exists for the purpose of providing students with a fun outlet at the end of a busy school day. The members of the Game Club meet once a week and partake in playing a variety of games from classics such as mahjong, cribbage, and pinochle, to board games like monopoly and chutes and ladders. Students also partake in strategy games such as checkers and chess, and have been known to embark upon exciting role-playing campaigns. No matter what your skill or interests levels, there will be a place at the table for you at the Game Club.
Moderator: Mr. Robert Seefeldt, rseefeldt@shanahan.org
Italian Club
The Italian club is meant to familiarize the student body with the Italian Culture and language while promoting global cooperation and appreciation. Each year they hold a Carnevale Dance!
Moderator: Ms. Joanna Catanzaro, jcatanzaro@shanahan.org
Mathletes
If you like Math and teamwork, then this is the club for you. High School students in the Archdiocese meet once per month at various high schools to compete in a three-round competition dealing with various areas in Mathematics. Each member can have a feeling of accomplishment due to his or her academic efforts.
Moderator: Mr. Keith Sheridan, ksheridan@shanahan.org
Mindset Matchup
Mindset Matchup is Shanahan's mental health club. It has
made a powerful impact among the students. The club meets each week as its members discuss wellness strategies, listen to guest speakers, and participate in community service projects.
Moderators: Mr. Ken Schmidt, kschmidt@shanahan.org
Ministry Club
The Ministry Club plays an essential role in the religious events that take place within the school community. As members, students will contribute as servers, readers, and gift bearers for school and class liturgies and may lead student pray. They will also be responsible for preparing the stage and altar, and for making sure that all the sacramentals that are needed for liturgy are clean and ready.
Moderator: Father Louis Monica, louis.monica@shanahan.org
Mock Trial
In Mock Trial, students portray lawyers or witnesses in a case prepared by the Young Lawyers Division of the PA Bar Association. They act out a trial as either the defense or the prosecution/plaintiff in realistic court situations. Club meetings are times to prepare for these competitions, and often lawyers will come and speak to the class to share their expertise. If you are considering a career in law, then this is a great club for you.
Moderator: Mr. Rich Robinson, rrobinson@shanahan.org
National Honor Society
Moderator: Ms. Stephanie Belefonte, sbelefonte@shanahan.org
Photography Club
The photography club promotes the art and science of photography with an emphasis on nature study and photographic technique. The club often takes trips around Chester County (such as to Longwood Gardens) to experiment with their craft or to pursue a special club project.
Moderator: Ms. Stephanie Belefonte, sbelefonte@shanahan.org
Respect Life Club
The Respect Life Club at Bishop Shanahan is an organization of faculty and students whose mission is to uphold the dignity of human life. They promote the dignity of the elderly, the family, teenagers, the unborn, and many others who are often lost or forgotten by society. The Respect Life Club prayerfully participates in the monthly Vigil for Life every first Saturday of the month at St. Agnes in West Chester and at the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C.
Moderator: Mr. Joseph Aquilante, jaquilante@shanahan.org
Science Research Club
All are welcome to the Science Research Club! There will be many different roles to fill! 20 student projects will participate in a virtual Chester County Science Research Competitions. Some projects will move on to the Delaware Valley Science Fair!
Moderator: Mrs. Lisa Rossana, lrossana@shanahan.org
Shanaviews
Shanaviews is the student-led newspaper of BSHS! Its goal is to spread the news about school community events, activities and achievements, and to report on local and world events.
Moderator: Mrs. Deborah Snyder, dsnyder@shanahan.org
Spanish Club
The Spanish Club provides an additional enrichment experience for students who are interested in the geography, customs, and culture of the Spanish speaking countries. Members will be introduced to the food, music, dance, and the everyday life of the people.
Moderator: Mrs. Katherine Smink, ksmink@shanahan.org
STEM Club
The STEM club promotes STEM principles and ideals in solving problems that we face daily. Students will identify an issue they want to resolve and will implement the Engineering Design Process (EDP) to try and address those problems. Students will be encouraged to enter local competitions to have their ideas and inventions judged by panels for originality and utility. Any student with a creative mind, a desire to solve problems, and interests in science, technology, engineering, math, coding, and/or automation is strongly encouraged to check this club out and see what they can do with other like-minded individuals!
Moderator: Mr. Mark Mykytiuch, mark.mykytiuch@shanahan.org
Student Council
The purpose of the Student Council is to support the mission of the school. It is a great way to get involved in the school community. Whether it is through dances, community service, or expressions of faith, the student body becomes united through the numerous events that Student Council sponsors.
Moderator: Ms. Margaret Murtha, mmurtha@shanahan.org
Ultimate Frisbee
In the Ultimate Frisbee Club, students learn the basics of throwing and catching, as well as play Ultimate Frisbee scrimmages. Open to beginners, experts, and everyone in between.
Moderator: Dr. Robert Moran, rmoran@shanahan.org