High School Clubs & Activities
The Arts
- National Art Honor Society/Art Club
- Shepaug Dramatics
- Shepaug Shutterbugs Photography Club
- SVHS Jazz Ensemble
- SVHS Percussion Ensemble
- SVHS Marching Band
- SVHS Pep Band
- Tri-M Music Honor Society
- Valley Voices
National Art Honor Society/Art Club
When and Where
Contact
Shepaug Dramatics
When and Where
Contact
DirectorBeth Harvison
Orchestra DirectorMark Obolewicz
Technical DirectorBen Allen
Shepaug Shutterbugs Photography Club
When and Where
Student Dress Code
Volunteers Requested
Contact
SVHS Jazz Ensemble
When and Where
Student Dress Code
Contact
SVHS Percussion Ensemble
When and Where
Student Dress Code
Contact
SVHS Marching Band
When and Where
Student Dress Code
Contact
SVHS Pep Band
When and Where
Student Dress Code
Contact
Tri-M Music Honor Society
About the Club
Tri-M is a NafMe program focusing on creating future leaders in music education and music advocacy.
When and Where
Choral Room Tuesday 7:30am before school.
Contact
Beth Harvison
harvisonb@region-12.org
Valley Voices
About the Club
The Valley Voices is open to students in grades 6-12 who have a strong background and interest in singing. Students study different genres of choral music. There are two performances for this ensemble (Winter Concert and Spring Concert). This ensemble is an excellent way to expand musical experience and talent.
When and Where
Chorus Room 2:30-3:30 Tuesday’s, Lunch
Contact
Beth Harvison
harvisonb@region-12.org
Student Led Clubs
Shepaug Woman’s Union
About the Club
Shepaug Women's Union is open to ALL students grades 9-12. It is a team building club whose goal is to help spread awareness about equality for women in our society. We will have awareness meetings, discuss women's rights and its history, have confidence building activities, and hold fundraisers to benefit causes related to supporting girls and women around the world.
When and Where
The Shepaug Women's Union meets every other week on Wednesdays during HS lunch in Room D24.
Contact
Game Club
About the Club
This student-led club brings together students at all grade levels who enjoy learning and playing multiplayer games, both electronically (video games, digital board games, and more) and on the tabletop (physical board games, miniatures games, RPGs, and more). The goal of the club is to offer students a comfortable space to play games together in a positive and supportive social environment.
When and Where
The Game Club meets each week on Wednesdays from 2:30 to 4:00pm in the SVS Library outside of the Makerspace. Other special events and activities may take place at other times and will be announced to the students via email and/or school announcements.
Contact
Environmental Science Club
About the Club
This student-led club will be linked with Envirothon CT, on a mission to solve or provide insights on an environmental issue affecting our current-day world. We will meet with UCONN's workshops a week every month virtually, and will be gathering to discuss potential solutions to these issues, being one of the 5 core topics as described by the Envirothon: soils, aquatics, forestry, wildlife, or a current issue. At the end of the year, we will likely be participating in the field day near the end of May where we will present our solution to a board who will judge and rate our solution and possibly qualify us for national competitions.
When and Where
Contact
The Hive (A Beekeepers Club)
About the Club
When and Where
Meets every other Thursday advisory in the auditorium.
Contact
Humanities
- Debate Team
- NewspaperÂ
- Model United Nations Team
- Spanish Club
- World Affairs Forum
- Spartan Chronicle Newspaper
- Outdoor Club
- Book Club (Better Read Than Dead)
Debate Team
- Yale Invitational - Fall
- The Osterweis Tournament - Spring
When and Where
Student Dress Code
Volunteers Requested
Contact
NewspaperÂ
When and Where
Student Dress Code
Contact
Model United Nations Team
Model United Nations is an authentic simulation of the UN General Assembly, UN Security Council, or other multilateral body, which introduces students to the world of diplomacy, negotiation, and decision making.
At Model UN, students step into the shoes of ambassadors of countries that are members of the UN, from Argentina to Zimbabwe. The students, better known as “delegates”, debate current issues on the organization’s vast agenda. They prepare draft resolutions, plot strategy, negotiate with supporters and adversaries, resolve conflicts, and navigate the UN’s rules of procedure – all in the interest of resolving problems that affect the world.
Model UN not only involves young people in the study and discussion of global issues, but also encourages the development of skills useful throughout their lives – skills including research techniques, writing, public speaking, problem-solving, conflict resolution, compromise, and cooperation.
Source
About the SVS Model UN Team
Meeting Schedule
The SVS Model UN team meets weekly after school from October through January. Weekly meetings are designed to prepare SVS's delegates to participate in assigned committees at the conference. Preparation includes: training in United Nation Parliamentary Debate procedure; review of the history and current state of international affairs of Saudi Arabia; preparation to represent Saudi Arabian interests on special committees. In addition, team members will identify and execute fundraising initiatives to help defray the costs of participating in this conference.
Please check with Mr. Dennis for the day and time of the after school meetings.
Student Dress Code
Students are required to dress in business attire for the four-day conference.
Contact
Spanish Club
When and Where
Student Dress Code
Volunteers Requested
Contact
World Affairs Forum
The Shepaug World Affairs Forum is an annual public event that showcases and celebrates student interest in international affairs. Each year an accomplished expert in international relations serves as the keynote speaker. The speaker engages with student panelists and community members in spirited discussion and at times debate regarding the most pressing issues that shape the world today. The implications of climate change on foreign policy, human migration, food security, and exploring trends in nuclear proliferation are just a few of the issues that have been explored through this forum. Past keynote speakers include ambassadors to the United Nations (Ambassador Mark Wallace), American ambassadors to foreign countries (Ambassador William Luers), past president to Columbia University (Dr. George Rupp) and Pulitzer Prize winner Les Payne. Similar to the Model United Nations club, the World Affairs Forum involves students in the study and discussion of global issues and encourages the development of skills useful throughout their lives--skills including research techniques, writing, public speaking, problem-solving, conflict resolution, compromise, and cooperation.
About the Shepaug World Affairs Forum Panelist
Students interested in participating as a world affairs panelist have demonstrated an awareness and passion for researching and analyzing America’s role in an increasingly interdependent and globalized world. Involvement in Model United Nations, while not required, is strongly encouraged.
Meeting Schedule
World Affairs Forum panelists will largely communicate informally through email and in meetings to be determined by the advisor and selected student panelists. Student panelists are highly motivated, eager and independent thinkers. While most of the research will be done independently, panelists will meet for 2 days as a group prior to the forum to draft position papers, coordinate discussion points, and rehearse for the forum. The forum typically occurs on a Saturday in March.
Student Dress Code
Students are required to dress in business attire for the forum.
Contact
Recordings of past World Affairs Forums
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March 10, 2018
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March 11, 2017
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March 16, 2016
Spartan Chronicle Newspaper
About the Club
The SVS Newspaper club is responsible for the upkeep of The Spartan Chronicle (www.thespartanchronicle.org), a student-run online school newspaper. The club is open to both middle and high school students. Students cover regional news categories like academics, athletics, arts and entertainment and more.
When and Where
Student Dress Code
Contact
Outdoor Club
About the Club
The Outdoor Club will focus on outdoor pursuits such as hiking and camping. The goal is for students to find additional ways to show their appreciation for the outdoors and to seek additional opportunities to get outside. This club is a great way to meet others, talk about outdoor pursuits, and participate in some new experiences. Members will be encouraged to plan hikes, trail work crews, and other outdoor trips.
When and Where
Students hold weekly lunch meetings to plan club activities. Additional out of school trips can be planned for both the Fall and Spring.
Student Dress Code
Attire will be determined based on the specific activity and time of year.
Volunteers Requested
Parent volunteers are welcome to assist with all outings.
Contact
Book Club (Better Read Than Dead)
Community
- FBLA
- GSA
- Spartan Club
- Student Council
- Yearbook Club
- SAVE Promise Club
- Leo Club (Jr. Lions Club)
- National Honor Society
FBLA
The FBLA Club is open to students in grades 9-12 who are interested in business, entrepreneurship, and leadership. The mission statement of the national organization is to inspire and prepare students to become community-minded business leaders in a global society through relevant career preparation and leadership experiences. Students manage the school store which includes researching profitability of products, pricing products, reading business invoices, stocking the store, advertising, and calculating return on investment.
In addition to running the school store, students have participated in the Lead-to-Feed Program and competed in national investing competitions. Shepaug FBLA students have consistently finished in the top 10% nationwide in these competitions. Students have participated in field trips ranging from the New Britain Bees Baseball in Education Day to trips to the Museum of American Finance and Wall Street.
When and Where
Monthly lunch meetings in Room E-5. School Store schedule is prepared at the beginning of each year based on open periods for members.
Contact
GSA
The SVS Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA) club is dedicated to providing a safe and supportive space for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning students and their allies, as well as promoting awareness of LGBTQ issues within the Shepaug community. The group meets on a weekly basis to discuss pertinent issues, plan activities and fundraisers, and support each other. Members have attended the True Colors Conference at UCONN as well as Pride events. The group is open to all Shepaug students in grades 9-12. Meeting attendance is not mandatory, and respect and confidentiality are the group expectations.
When and Where
Meetings take place during HS lunch on Fridays.
Contact
Spartan Club
The Spartan Club is made up of student athletes who strive to maintain a positive school community at Shepaug Valley School. Students assist in the planning of homecoming, lead school-wide discussions on important topics, volunteer at various school functions, and take part in lessons focusing on leadership, communication, and teamwork.
The club is open to high school students who play at least one sport at Shepaug, demonstrate good academic effort, and demonstrate an active interest in our activities. Interested students may write a letter explaining why they want to join the club and how they think they can contribute.
The Spartan Club provides students with an excellent opportunity to learn and demonstrate leadership and collaboration skills.
When and Where
The Spartan Club meets during high school lunch every Day 3 and is lead by Mr. Werkhoven, Mr. Spear, and Mr. Conway.
Contact
Student Council
About the Club
The SVHS Student Council is open to all students in grades 9-12. Students meet weekly to discuss school issues and work to improve the school climate through a variety of activities, including sharing their ideas and suggestions with faculty and administration.
Student council members organize and host Spartan Night events to build school spirit, offer opportunities for students to meet new friends, and bring parents, students and faculty together. In addition, Student Council members serve as tour guides for new student orientations and Open House, and the council raises funds to award a $500 scholarship to a graduating senior. Student Council is a way to serve the school community and advocate for fellow students. Members build leadership, civic responsibility, and organizational skills.
When and Where
Contact
Yearbook Club
About the Club
The SVS Yearbook Club is open to students in grades 9-12. Students assume the roles of photographers, reporters and organizers, and they learn to utilize a desktop publishing program to build the grades 9-12 yearbook. This club is a great way for students to learn about publishing, software, artistic design, collaboration, and time management.
When and Where
The club meets every Wednesday and Friday from 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM.
Volunteers
Parent volunteers needed for picture days, photography of school events, layout design, and proofreading.
Contact
SAVE Promise Club
About the Club
Students Against Violence Everywhere (SAVE) Promise Clubs is the student leadership initiative of Sandy Hook Promise that aims to cultivate and bolster student leaders to take an active role in increasing school safety and preventing different forms of violence in schools and communities.
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Students learn from each other about how to create an inclusive school culture of looking out for one another through activities, events, and projects that promote kindness.
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Club members are empowered with knowledge and skills necessary to provide service to their community and school.
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SAVE Promise Clubs engage students in meaningful violence prevention efforts within their school and community.
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Youth leadership encourages positive peer influences within the school and community through shared violence prevention efforts.
Where and When:
Meetings will be held once a month - day/time/place TBD.
Contact:
Leo Club (Jr. Lions Club)
About the Club
Leadership, Experience, Opportunity
The Leo Club is a youth organization of Lions Clubs International. The word L E O stands for Leadership, Experience, Opportunity. The Leo clubs encourage youths to develop leadership qualities by participating in social service activities. The Leao Club will raise funds by conducting fund-raising projects for different organizations and causes. We will conduct projects on their own, with another Leo club, or with their sponsoring Lions club, or with an outside organization.
When and Where
Meetings will take place every other Tuesday during HS lunch. Location TBA
Contact
National Honor Society
About the Club
The SVS Chapter of the National Honor Society recognizes and honors those students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of scholarship, leadership, service, and character. Membership in the Shepaug Valley Chapter of the NHS, is by invitation, and is an honor that carries with it responsibilities to the school, the student body, and to the community as a whole. With high expectations for members, they are expected to be the best they can be. We encourage our students to look for ways to provide unexpected service, to lead and make a difference, to demonstrate positive character traits, and to maintain the highest level of scholarship.
When and Where
NHS meets periodically throughout the year. Responsibilities include weekly tutoring and the annual blood drives.
Contact
STEM
Makerspace
About the Club
Students are invited to attend special events held in the MakerSpace throughout the year to create special projects in gaming, art, sewing, electronics, food science and more. Students can attend one or all events.
When and Where
All events take place in the CAT Lab MakerSpace in the Library, regular meeting and event dates/times TBA.
Volunteers/Interested Students
Contact
Robotics
The SVS Robotics Competition Team is open to students in grades 7-12. Students learn how to build and program VEX EDR Robots using the programming language RobotC.
The date of the qualifier competition event is TBD and typically falls on a Saturday in late December or early January. Team members are expected to attend the event.
When and Where
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Tuesdays after school and Fridays before school from 7:30-7:50
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Students may elect to meet during lunches as approved by the club advisor
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Students may also elect to stay after school on Wednesdays and Thursdays with approval closer to the competition as needed.
Student Dress Code
STEAM Tech Lab
Students are invited to work in the E7 Tech Lab on guided or independent exploration in an area of technology interest and are encouraged to utilize their time for Genius Hour or academic class projects. Past projects include 3D Printing, LittleBits, movie making, website creation, presentation creation and practice, Arduino microcontrollers, photography, animation and video game programming.
When and Where
The Steam Tech Lab Club meets during lunch.
Specially Scheduled Events
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10/9-11/27 Room E7 2:30-4:10 Intro to Biomedical Engineering - Students discover the career of Biomedical engineering as they research and meet biomedical engineer guest speakers from UCONN and participate in engineering design challenges.
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12/4-12/18 Room E7 2:30-4 Grades 6-8 NASAKids - Students join play games designed by NASA and learn about current NASA missions. Students participate in an engineering design challenge created by NASA.
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1/1-1/29 Room E7 2:30-4:10 Grades 6-12 Make Your Own Music Video - Students learn how to produce movies in the form of music videos as they learn to use the greenscreen and other creative and amazing tricks in video production.
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2/5 2:30-4 Room E7 2:30-4:10- Take Apart Day - Students bring an item from home to deconstruct with friends as they discuss individual components found inside.
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2/12-2/26 Room E7 2:30-4:10 Macro Art - Students investigate the art of macro photography as they take close up pictures to create designs on cards.
Contact
Video Club
About the Club
The SVS Video Club is an award-winning group of young filmmakers that create films for competitions across the country. The club is open to both middle and high school students. Students are not required to have their own video equipment. The school provides all the necessary cameras, microphones, editing software, etc.
The Video Club is open to students in grades 6-12. Students learn to write, produce and edit films for competitions across the country, including the "Connecticut Student Film Festival" and the "All American High School Festival." The club meets weekly to write, produce and edit films.
Members of the SVS Video Club have won awards at multiple competitions, including:
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White House Student Film Festival
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Connecticut Student Film Festival
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All American High School Festival
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Envision Kindness Film Competition
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Fox 61 Student News Program
When and Where
Meetings will take place in the TV Studio. Afterschool Dates and Times are TBD depending upon student and teacher availability. Meetings will be from 2:30 - 4:00. Meetings may periodically take place during high school lunch.
Student Dress Code
Students are required to dress in formal attire for festivals, but casual during weekly meetings.
Volunteers Requested
Parent volunteers may be needed for some of the festivals.
Contact
FFA
About the Club
Shepaug FFA is required by all Agriscience students. Meetings, community service, fundraising and other activities will be planned for each month. Updates can be found on your Ag Google Classroom or the bulletin board in the E hallway.
When and Where
Monthly meetings will be held in the Auditorium on the last Wednesday of each month, rotating through the periods. Additional opportunities in and outside of Shepaug will be posted weekly in your Google Classrooms.
Contact
Mathletes
About the Club
The SVHS Mathletes Team is open to all students in grades 9-12. The club is spearheading the formulation of a Litchfield County Competitive Math League, with Shepaug hosting the competitions. The goal of Mathletes is for members to have fun solving various types of riveting problems as a team! The Mathletes welcomes all high school students across all math classes. We have weekly practices with Shepaug members and will host monthly meets at Shepaug starting in January that are open and welcome to all public and private schools in Litchfield County. Our weekly meetings include exciting new activities such as Escape Rooms, team board games, logic puzzles, alternate reality games, and collaborative solving of challenging math problems. To kick off the year, a team building tie-dying activity will be held for anyone who wishes to participate. Thank you to all who choose to join in the fun; this will be a great year!
When and Where
Wednesdays, 5 - 6 PM in Room A3 at Shepaug
Monthly Competitions ~ Wednesdays; Time ~ TBD
Council Members:
Faculty Advisor:
High School Class Activities
Freshman Class
2025 Student Officers
- President: Alondra Artieda
- Vice-President: Nathaniel Konic
- Treasurer: Addison Reilin
- Secretary: Isabella Ninno
2025 Class Advisors
Gabe Byer: byerg@region-12.org
Class Activities:
- Fundraisers
- Bazaar
Sophomore Class
Junior Class
2023 Student Officers
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President Jack Buchholz
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Vice-President Nathan Mcvay
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Treasurer Charlie VandenBosch
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Secretary Abigail Stinson
2023 Class Advisors
Jim Stinson stinsonj@region-12.org
Tara Flaherty flahertyt@region-12.org
Class Activities:
Senior Class
2022 Student Officers
- President: Sophia Missana
- Vice-President: Janelle Frankland
- Treasurer: Luke Schneider
- Secretary: Grace Crispino
2022 Class Advisors
- Taylor Pearce pearcet@region-12.org
- Stephanie Schuck schucks@region-12.org
Class Activities:
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Homecoming Tables
- Haunted Hallway
- Painting the Rock
- Senior Murals in Mall
- Parking Spot Personalization
- Bazaar
- Senior Class Trip
High School Activities
Graduation
The SVHS 12th Grade Graduation celebrates our graduating seniors. A small reception with light refreshments will follow in the SVS cafeteria.
When and Where
The graduation takes place the morning of the last Saturday of the school year on the lawn of Shepaug Valley School.
Student Dress Code
Students are encouraged to dress in celebratory attire.
Volunteers Requested
The 12th grade graduation ceremony is followed by a reception with light refreshments in the SVS Cafeteria. It is SVS tradition to ask parents of the 11th Grade Students to host this reception. If you are interested in volunteering to host or contribute to this reception please click here to contact us.
Contact
Holiday Bazaar
About the Event
The Shepaug Holiday Bazaar is an annual event, occuring in the beginning of December. Students in grades 9-12 participate in the holiday bazaar. There is one middle school booth, run by the Middle School Student Council.
Students begin preparing for the bazaar months in advance during class meetings. During their class meetings they formulate their plan: what item(s) are they going to sell and what will be the theme of their booth?
There are two building workshops leading up to the bazaar where the classes come together and begin constructing their booths. The real magic happens the day of the bazaar. Students are able to sign out of their classes to help decorate and set up their booth for the evening’s festivities.
Traditionally, the bazaar features a restaurant run by the Senior class, wreaths, plants, and all manner of handmade crafts.
When and Where
Dates and times to be announced.
Contact
Spartan Nights
The SVS High School Student Council holds Spartan nights on Friday nights throughout the school year. All SVS students in grades 9-12 are invited to attend these events in which students play dodgeball, whiffle ball, volleyball, basketball, and soccer. Admission is free and all are welcome to play.
When and Where
Spartan Nights are scheduled one Friday per month. They typically start at 7 PM and end at 9 PM.
Contact
Concerts
(These concerts have been put on hiatus due to Covid guidelines until further notice).
About the Concert
The SVHS music department hosts a winter and spring concert for grades 9-12. The concerts feature the High School Band and Chorus. The concerts takes place at 7PM in the main auditorium at Shepaug Valley School. All students are asked to arrive by 6:25 for warm-up.
Student Dress Code
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Ladies: Black dress clothes, black shoes.
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Gentlemen: Black dress shirt, black dress pants, black shoes. Ties are optional.