At Niskayuna High School, we believe that extracurricular clubs play an important role in the culture of our school. Our clubs supplement the academic program, provide meaningful community service opportunities, and allow students to pursue their passions.
If you have any questions regarding clubs, contact Assistant Principal Anthony Malizia at amalizia@niskyschools.org or the club’s advisor(s) listed below.
ACADEMIC RESOURCE CENTER (Peer Tutoring)
Purpose: The Academic Resource Center is a specialized club consisting of students who have been trained to offer peer-tutoring in the high school library, as well as in classrooms and resource rooms. Trained tutors staff the Academic Resource Center throughout the school day, including before and after school, and offer tutoring in all subject areas. Students who need help with academic work such as homework, quiz or test prep, or writing papers are welcome to stop by the ARC any time. No appointment necessary! Students who would like to become tutors can fill out an application in the library. Tutor training is offered in June, and additional training sessions are scheduled as necessary. Advisors: Ms. McAndrews
AD-MIRE PERFORMANCE CLUB
Advisor: Ms. Reittinger
AFS
Advisors: Mr. Alcantara & Ms. Gardiner
ALL STAR ATHLETES
Advisor: Ms. Stanton & Ms. Farquharson
ANIMAL WELFARE
Purpose: To raise awareness and funds for various organizations, including the World Wildlife Fund, Animal Protective Foundation and Homeward Bound, that are dedicated to helping animals in need. Students will be exposed to opportunities for involvement in rewarding volunteer experiences. Advisor: Ms. Dagostino
ANIME
Purpose: To offer students an opportunity to be exposed to Japanese culture, language and art, through the media of anime and manga (movie and cartoon strips). Activities: Each Thursday the club watches episodes of an anime series, samples anime music videos, and gives lessons in drawing and Japanese language and culture. Advisors: Mr. Alcantara & Mr. Edgar
ART EXPLORATION COLLECTIVE
Advisor: Ms. Palazeke & Ms. Romm
ASIAN CULTURE
Purpose: To provide opportunities for members to experience and participate in Asian cultures. Activities: Writing Chinese calligraphy, playing Chinese chess and yo-yo, tasting Asian foods, watching Japanese films and Korean drama, and listening and singing Asian pop-songs. Advisor: Ms. Palazeke
BADMINTON CLUB
Advisor: Mr. Bach
BEE KEEPER CLUB
Advisor: Mr. Scott
BREAKFAST BOOK CLUB
Purpose: The Breakfast Book Club is open to all students who like to
read, eat, and chat about books. We often read and discuss a book together, and we sometimes talk about books that we’re reading on our own. Advisors: Ms. Desimony and Ms. Ihnatolya
BROADCASTING CLUB
Purpose: To explore TV and studio production opportunities at Niskayuna High School. Advisor: Mr. O’Connor
CHEMICAL DEMONSTRATION CLUB
Purpose: To share chemistry fun with young students within the community to foster interest in science. Advisor: Ms. Paquette
CHESS CLUB
Purpose: To provide students the opportunity to play chess in a positive and friendly environment where they can sharpen and improve their skills. Advisor: Mr. Alcantara
COMPUTER SCIENCE
Advisor: Ms. Franck
CREATIVE WRITING CLUB
Purpose: This club meets regularly to support and inspire the creative writers of our school. Club members meet to engage in fun writing activities. We also sponsor NaNoWriMo and Java Jive. Activities: This club runs Java Jive, which is a night of acoustic music and poetry. Advisor: Ms. White
CROSSROADS (YEARBOOK)
Purpose: We are in charge of producing the school yearbook, Crossroads. If you are interested in design, photography, sales, editing, or a variety of other activities, this is the club to join. Advisors: Ms. Audette & Ms. Farina
CULINARY CLUB
Advisor: Ms. Hawkins
DEBATE CLUB
Advisor: Ms. Palazeke
DRAMA CLUB
Purpose: Drama Club is proud to present ourselves as a creative outlet for all students. Each Wednesday, we explore the many facets of the human condition, through improvisation, classic drama and original scripted comedy. We spark lifelong friendships and bond students with each other. Our students collaboratively work to produce pieces that enlighten and entertain, with student directors learning alongside the student actors on the stage, the student stage crews backstage and the student ambassadors welcoming the audience to the theater. While we actively train in creative communication skills, teamwork, socialization and self confidence, our goal is to have FUN while maintaining respect for self, others and the values of Niskayuna High School. Advisor: Mr. Dale
ENVIRONMENTAL CLUB
Purpose: To learn about, explore, and preserve our natural environment. Activities: The Environmental Study Team ventures into the outdoors. Outings
include: hikes in the Adirondacks, stream habitat exploration, snow shoeing, wilderness camping, trail maintenance, and local habitat cleanup and restoration. Advisor: Ms. Kenny
FBLA – FUTURE BUSINESS LEADERS OF AMERICA
Purpose: FBLA – (Future Business Leaders of America) is a nationally recognized business club. This club, in conjunction with our strong business courses, prepares students for future careers in the field of business. The FBLA mission is to bring business and education together in a positive working relationship through innovative leadership and career development programs. Activities: Sports Marketing Field Trip, guest speakers, FBLA competitions, fundraising for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Halloween costume contest, and more. Advisor: Ms. Youngs
FILM CLUB
Activities: Students watch a free film on certain Fridays. Discussion follows. All are welcome. Advisors: Mr. O’Connor & Ms. Welge
FRENCH CLUB
Purpose: To provide an opportunity for students to understand and appreciate French culture, to further spoken French on an informal basis, and enjoy social Francophone world activities together. Activities: Films, guest speakers, and food related activities. Advisor: Mme Martin
FRISBEE CLUB
The Niskayuna Ultimate Frisbee club is an inter-mural sport club which will hold practices in the spring (as allowed per district guidelines). The club will practice and may scrimmage other local schools or compete in local tournaments with a goal of attending NY State High School Championships in May. Depending on the number of students interested, ultimate has local divisions for Open, Girls, and Co-ed teams. Local activities are sponsored by the Albany Ultimate Disc Association and USA Ultimate. Ms. Lee is a 20+ year veteran of the sport and a certified ultimate coach. Advisor: Ms. Lee
GALLERY CLUB
Advisor: Ms. Palazeke
GAME CLUB
Purpose: To provide students with the opportunity to play video games and other games for fun. Students share strategy and discuss areas of interest related to the games. Advisor: Dr. Cloutier
GERMAN CLUB
Purpose: To plan and enjoy events, food and fun related to German language and culture. We support our long-standing exchange program with Freiherr-vom-Stein School in Hamm, Germany. Activities: Pumpkin carving contest, Nikolaustag, Waffelfest, Niska-Day and Garden Gnome Ring Toss, German American Day Parade in NYC; Spagehetti-Eis Abend, cookie baking and bake sale, and the Hamm- Niskayuna exchange program. Advisor: Ms. Prebish
HABBITAT FOR HUMANITY
Purpose: Habitat For Humanity is a global organization that works with volunteers to build homes for low-income families all over the world. Here at Niskayuna High School, our chapter is one of the very few independent high school chapters in New York State, and the only one in the Capital Region. Activities: We volunteer with local affiliates in Schenectady County and the immediate Capital Region, as well as offer domestic and international service opportunities with larger affiliates. Most importantly, our focus is to help build homes for those in need and have fun while doing it! Advisors: Mr. Bach & Mr. Alcantara
HORTICULTURAL CLUB
Purpose: To learn about the art and science of growing plants. Maintain a summer garden to donate produce to local food shelters. Activities: Annual plant growing, field trips, guest speakers, summer vegetable gardening Advisor: Dr. Moore & Ms. Vickerson
IT STUDENT HELP DESK
Purpose: To train and empower members to answer questions, provide technical support and help direct staff and students to technology resources within the district. Activities: Staffing the I.T. Help Desk at Crossroads during the day, as scheduling allows. Advisor: Mr. Fitzgerald
KEY CLUB
Purpose: To provide service to school and community. Activities: Key Club is the high school organization sponsored by Kiwanis International. High school student members of Key Club perform acts of service in their communities, such as cleaning up parks, collecting clothing, and organizing fundraising efforts. They also learn leadership skills by running meetings, planning projects, and holding leadership positions Advisors: Ms. Ryan and Mr. Melito
LATIN CLUB
Purpose: To stimulate and promote interest in the Classics. Activities: Movie nights, Saturnalia celebration, field trips, food, multi-language club holiday celebrations, community service activities and Latin certamen competitions. Advisor: Ms. Miller
LINGUISTICS CLUB
Advisor: Mr. Peters
LIVE EXPRESSION
Purpose: Live Expression is a student-run club which organizes concerts at Niskayuna High School. Student musicians can showcase their talent in a live performance setting. These concerts are a unique opportunity for students to learn both how to perform in front of an audience and how to set up and use musical equipment. All students and all types of music are welcome at Live Expression shows, and all proceeds are donated to local charities. Advisor: Mr. Boburka
MASTERMINDS
Purpose: To compete in the interscholastic MasterMinds competition. Practice and matches with trivia questions drawn from social studies, math, science, music, literature, pop culture and more. Advisor: Mr. Dickerson
MATH CLUB
Purpose: To investigate topics of math that are interesting and challenging math problems, to take advantage of mathematics in our community, and to develop the talent of solving complex math problems. Activities: Compete monthly on Math League competitions, and participate in Moody’s Mega Math Challenge, Purple Comet, Euclid Math and the American Mathematics Competition. Meet weekly to challenge students with interesting think outside the box math problems that are discussed in groups and as a whole club to introduce different ways to solve the problems. Advisor: Ms. Franck
MOCK TRIAL
Advisor: Ms. D’Angelo
MODEL UN
Purpose: Model UN is a way for students to improve their public speaking, debating, and problem-solving skills. Activities: Throughout the school year, Model UN has weekly meetings that focus on practice for Model UN tournaments discussing and debating current historical and world events. When debating, the students are assigned a country or person they will be representing. During the debates, the students should try to present the ideals and beliefs of their specific country or person. Advisor: Ms. Christou
MOUNTAIN BIKING CLUB
Purpose: The Niskayuna Mountain Bike Club is a group of Niskayuna students who are interested in learning about and riding mountain bikes. Club members meet for skills clinics, group rides, and learning sessions on how to fix and maintain your bike. The club will meet at various local trails to ride. Everyone and anyone is welcome and if you don’t have an adequate bike, there are some loaners to possibly borrow. Come join us enjoying the woods! Advisor: Mr. Rizzi
MUSLIM STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION
Purpose: The MSA aims to provide a place where Muslims can be represented, heard, and supported. We work to counter negative stereotypes and erase misconceptions about Islam by educating our peers. Activities: Raise awareness of crises and world issues such as the Uyghur concentration camps and the Yemen famine, build unity among Muslims and non-Muslims, discuss important issues within and outside of the school. Advisor: Ms. Ryan
NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY
Advisors: Mr. Jennings & Ms. Hawkins
NICS – NISKAYUNA INTER-COMMUNITY SERVICE
Purpose: To provide service to school and community. Activities: NICS facilitates the high school picture days and two Red Cross Blood Drives, collects fruit cups for the Equinox Thanksgiving Dinner, and provides volunteer support for activities at Niskayuna schools at all levels. Advisors: Mr. O’Connell & Ms. Salvin
NISKY FRIENDS
Purpose: The Nisky Friends club is student-run friendship club which creates buddy pairs between students with and without disabilities. Nisky Friends is based upon the principles of the Best Buddies Organization, but is not limited to individuals with intellectual disabilities. We aim to create an inclusive school climate for students and a community culture of acceptance. Nisky Friends is a program where you can make lifelong friends. Through in-school meetings and hangouts, you and your friend will have time to relax, socialize, and get to know one other. Peer matches are encouraged to connect about once a week. You can play games; do homework, or just talk! Once a month we meet as a larger group to do a fun activity together with our peers. Advisors: Ms. Farquharson & Ms. Stanton
NISKY GARAGE
Advisor: Mr. Desimony
NISKAYUNA OUTING CLUB
Purpose: Provide interested students opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors. Activities: Hikes, field trips, community service. Outings are on Saturday or Sunday mornings. Advisors: Mr. Peters & Mr. Ormsbee
PEP CLUB
Advisors: Ms. MacPherson and Ms. Moscinski
POLITICAL & CURRENT EVENTS (PACE)
Purpose: PACE, or Politics and Current Events Club focuses on the issues that are facing the world today. Through discussing hot button political topics, we enhance our political knowledge, listening to perspectives besides our own. For many students this is an appropriate place to let their opinions be heard and responded to without the consequences of discussing politics one would face normally. Through hearing points from all sides of an issue, many times we are able to reach a solution that we believe will work in real life. Advisor: Mr. Peters
ROBOTICS
Purpose: The Niskayuna Robotics Club strives to nurture a passion for robotics in students and teach them useful skills in math, science and technology. By doing so, we hope to foster an interest in pursuing robotics or other related fields after high school, as well as teach important skills in real world problem solving and teamwork. Activities: The Niskayuna Robotics Club designs and constructs robots that compete in the FIRST Tech Challenge competition, an international competition that stresses innovation and teamwork. The Robotics Club also conducts outreach programs to nurture a passion for STEM in our community. Advisor: Mr. Banaszewski
ROCKETRY CLUB
Advisor: Mr. Delano
SCIENCE BOWL
Purpose: To organize and prepare a Niskayuna High School Team for the Regional Science Bowl competition which occurs every year in mid March. Advisor: Ms. Kenny
SCIENCE OLYMPIAD
Purpose: To give students with an interest in science the opportunity to test their knowledge and skills through competition with other schools. Activities: Science Olympiad is a very active TEAM throughout the year. In the beginning of the year students assemble to indicate their interest in the team. There are over 20 events that students compete in which are established at the National Science Olympiad each year. (In September they are released and teams must register in their state to compete at a regional level.) The top teams from a region go on to compete at a state level then the top state teams will go on to compete at a national level. The competition is comprised of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Only 15 students are allowed on a team (with a maximum of 7 seniors) and each student must compete in several events. The students need to study, prepare information relevant for their topic, and build and operate devices. Advisors: Ms. Colliton
SEARCH
Advisor: Ms. Favata
THE SILVER SCRIBE – SCHOOL NEWSPAPER
Purpose: The Silver Scribe provides interested students with an opportunity to work on a paper. Activities: Writing, editing and publishing a school paper; students can also work on advertising, art and illustration, cartooning and photo journalism– excellent opportunity to develop leadership and communication skills. Advisors: Mr. Edgar and Mr. Banaszewski
SPANISH CLUB
Purpose: To encourage and promote the appreciation of Spanish culture and language. Activities: Preparing typical foods and crafts, welcoming our Spanish exchange partners and participating in field trips that highlight awareness of the Hispanic culture. Advisors: Ms. Gardiner & Mr. Alcantara
START RECYCLING CLUB
Advisor: Mr. Scott
STOCK MARKET CLUB
Purpose: Students discuss, learn and practice trading stocks. Every year we compete in a contest where students can trade stocks in a real world simulation of the stock market, alongside competing with each other. There is a prize pool for first, second or third places in the contest. It’s very easy for anyone to get started so anyone can join! Advisor: Mr. Eichfeld
STUDENT CONGRESS
Purpose: Provide a means of expressing student views, address issues and grievances brought to it, provide a means through which students may participate in making decisions that affect them in school, provide a means through which students can learn how to create, develop, organize, & direct their affairs in a democratic community. Advisor: Mr. Mattice
UNICEF
Purpose: UNICEF Niskayuna High School chapter: As an officially recognized high school chapter of UNICEF, our club raises funds during the year and then donates the money to the international organization for disbursement. UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories to protect the rights of every child. UNICEF has spent 70 years working to improve the lives of children and their families. Defending children’s rights throughout their lives requires a global presence, aiming to produce results and understand their effects. Advisor: Mr. Lester
VISIBILITY
Purpose: Visibility is Niskayuna High School’s GSA (Gay Straight Alliance). We are here to raise awareness about the LGBTQ community and provide a safe space for LGBTQ people and their allies. We promote acceptance and kindness, while working to end bullying in the school, the community and the world. Visibility-SAGA accepts everyone no matter their sexuality or gender. Activities: Participates in national holidays related to the LGBTQ+ community such as Transgender Day of Remembrance (candle light ceremony) and National Day of Silence (celebrated in conjunction with the Pride Center in Albany), Ally Week, and Spirit Day. Educates classmates in high school, middle schools (in health classes) and the community about the LGBTQ community and works to prevent bullying. Bring in speakers from the LGBTQ community on a regular basis. Advisor: Ms. Oppenheimer
WARRIOR PROJECT
Purpose: The Warrior Project is a prevention based club within NHS focusing on positive social norming, school spirit, elite performance and a commitment to a drug and alcohol free lifestyle. Students are nominated by their coaches. Activities: Pep Rally, Lift Off, bringing speakers to the student body re: substance use and fundraising for the Wounded Warrior Project. The Warrior Project is a high school affiliate of the Wounded Warrior Project. Advisor: Ms. Nunez
YOGA AND WELLNESS CLUB
Purpose: To provide an opportunity for students to participate in and practice
yoga and meditation. We welcome all levels of yoga practitioners. Advisor: Ms. McCarty
PILOT CLUBS
BOCCE
Advisor: Mr. Bach
COMBO
Advisor: Mr. Pandori
HOSA
Advisor: Ms. Best
NISKY CLIMATE
Advisor: Ms. Desimony
CLASS ADVISORS:
CLASS OF 2025 – Ms. Christou and Ms. Martin
CLASS OF 2026 – Ms. Weidman and Ms. Richard
CLASS OF 2027 – Ms. Macpherson and Ms. Mosinski
CLASS OF 2028 – Ms. DeRocco and Ms. Workman