Clubs & Organizations
Bishop McNamara High School clubs and organizations are student-based school organizations, consisting of administration-approved organizations functioning with myriad of interests and functionality.
Each club or organization is composed of students with adults (usually Faculty, Staff or alumni volunteer) as advising figures to maintain the functionality of clubs.
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BMHS has over 50 clubs and organizations at school
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Clubs & Organizations range from honor societies, technical teams, specials interest groups and service organizations
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Extra-curricular activities provide students with opportunities to lead, participate and serve Bishop McNamara, area elementary schools, and community organizations
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Want to start a club? Complete this form and email or turn it in to Mr. Brian Brower.
In This Section
Societies, Clubs and Organizations
For more information on the different clubs and organizations, click on any tab and then any club below:
- Cultural Organizations
- Faith and Service Organization
- Honor Societies
- Professional Organizations
- Recreational Organizations
- Student Leadership
- Student Publications
Cultural Organizations
Cultural Organizations
Bishop McNamara High School has a wide variety of Cultural Organizations to provide diverse opportunities and activities, increase personal knowledge, experience food, art, culture and global traditions for the student body.
- African Student Union
- Anime Club
- Art Club
- ASL Club
- beYOUtiful: Make-up and Skin Care Club
- Black Cultural Alliance
- French Club
- International Food and Travel Club
- Latin American Student Organization
- My Hair, My Crown
- Pacific Asian American Cultural Enlightenment (PACE) Club
- Prism Club
- Step Team
African Student Union
Moderator: Ms. Mian Hairston
Anime Club
The Anime Club views and discusses works of Japanese animation and foreign cinema. Prior to viewings, we socialize and test our knowledge of the week's theme in trivia and other games. We attempt to meet weekly on Wednesdays.
Moderator: Ms. Katherine Ray
Art Club
Art club meets weekly for students to discuss art and artists they admire and to do art projects for fun. All students are welcome--there is no need to be enrolled in an art class to join.
Moderator: Ms. Kathryn Heneghan
ASL Club
The BMHS ASL Club seeks to educate and share the culture and language of the Deaf Community with the BMHS Community. In addition to functioning as a source of information on Deaf Culture, the club will participate in and host special events for Deaf History Month but not limited to that month. This club is open to all students, you don’t have to know ASL or take an ASL class to join.
Moderator: Ms. Phyllis Ballenger
beYOUtiful: Make-up and Skin Care Club
Moderator: Ms. Emily Koenick
Black Cultural Alliance
The Black Cultural Alliance serves to empower, encourage and enlighten all people, while taking special interest in the history of the African Diaspora and its impact on the world as it is today.
Moderator: Mr. Armani Mason-Callaway
French Club
Moderator: Ms. Paola Apolinares
International Food and Travel Club
Moderator: Ms. Samadara Jayarathne
Latin American Student Organization
Moderator: Mrs. Erika Sanneman
My Hair, My Crown
During our time together we learn about ways to take care of our hair, textures, styles, and care of various hair types. and different ways we can style it.
Moderator: Mrs. Michelle Butler-Evans
Pacific Asian American Cultural Enlightenment (PACE) Club
This is a student-led group and everyone is welcome to join to celebrate and experience Asian and Pacific-American culture and intercultural exchange .
Moderator: Mr. Charles Shryock
Prism Club
Bishop McNamara’s Prism Club is meant to foster a safe and caring environment in which students can discuss the current issues for the LGBTQ community both socially and culturally in today’s society. The club strives to fulfill and support Holy Cross’s mission to be a Christ-centered community, which values diversity. The meetings will discuss a variety of topics such as the value of diversity and inclusivity, labels, and stereotypes. All are invited, and members are encouraged to help one another develop a greater understanding of one another and create a sense of acceptance and respect.
Moderator: Ms. Kim Weaver
Step Team
The Step Team is a group of students who share a common interest in stepping and dancing. Through this, we are bonded together and make one family who supports and pushes each other to become the best steppers we could possibly be. The Step Team plans to carry on the tradition that has been going on for years. We plan to create and introduce an open and non-judgmental space for anyone interested in stepping. Our end goal is to not only be better steppers, but to have a sense of family amongst each other.
Moderator: Ms. Percilla Wills
Faith and Service Organization
Bishop McNamara offers a variety of Service Organizations, dedicated to community service, religious expression, or social justice. Join with other students in activities and clubs providing a wide variety of service or aid to the BMHS community or beyond.
Best Buddies
Best Buddies International fosters one-to-one friendships between high school students with and without IDD. In this time of heightened social and emotional development that can be difficult even for teenagers without IDD, the Best Buddies High Schools program helps break through social barriers at an important time in a young person’s life.
Moderators: Dr. Abigail Greer and Ms. Dee Butler
Life Information for Teens (L.I.F.T.)
L.I.F.T. is a program that has two objectives: to educate 8th grade students about moral issues consistent with Catholic faith, and to allow you has high school juniors and seniors the opportunity for positive peer mentorship. The curriculum of the program consists of factual talks, real life testimonies, small group discussions, and activities about the fears of becoming a teenager, moral issues of drug/alcohol use, violence, abortion, and sex. Membership to LIFT is an application process that happens in the Spring semester.
Moderators: Ms. Amanda Saunders
Social Justice Club
To provide an arena for students to speak out on global issues, to educate our school community on topics discussed in meetings, and to raise awareness and or fundraise to help areas in crisis.
Moderator: Mr. Michael Barry
Teens in Action
Teens in Action is a Teen Leadership and Service Program of Camp Fire. Youth participating in Teens in Action engage in positive youth development activities that help them build assets and skills that last for a lifetime. Teens in Teens in Action participate in a variety of activities that engaged them in fun and meaningful activities. Examples include service to the homeless through programs for youth and families at local homeless shelters, Teen Driving Safety Programs (our award winning program for teens who create peer to peer programs to support driving safety), opportunities for formal leadership training through workshops at the local and national level.
Moderator: Mrs. Rosemary Pezzuto
Honor Societies
Bishop McNamara High School has a wide selection of Honor Societies recognizing students who achieve overall academic excellence, or those who achieve excellence in a department or program.
- American Sign Language Honor Society
- International Thespian Society Troupe
- Moreau Scholar Society
- Mu Alpha Theta Mathematics Honor Society
- National English Honor Society (NEHS)
- National French Honor Society
- National Honor Society
- National Honor Society for Dance Arts
- National Spanish Honor Society
- RHO KAPPA Social Studies Honor Society
- Science National Honor Society
- Tri-M Music Honor Society
American Sign Language Honor Society
The ASL Honor Society is an opportunity for ASL students to gain recognition for high academic achievement in their study of ASL. Recognition takes the form of honor cords, the Alice Cogswell Medal, or the Laurent Clerc Medal. In addition to high academic achievement, members of the ASLHS are required to perform community service in their local Deaf community (if available) which enhances ASL skills in addition to developing character and citizenship. The ASL Honor Society also provides scholarships and hosts the annual ASL literature competition for students. The ASLHS also provides mini-grants for ASL teachers.
Moderator: Mrs. Phyllis Ballenger
International Thespian Society Troupe
The International Thespian Society Troupe consists of those “theatre students" maintaining an overall commitment to theatre activities beyond performing in specific productions. The organization also serves as the Theatre Honor Society whose members will be recognized for their achievements. Thespians plan and carry out all aspects of the Bishop McNamara theatre department's St. Genesius Awards' Ceremony.
Moderator: Mrs. Mitchell-Donahue
Moreau Scholar Society
The Moreau Scholar Society is a service organization made up of students who are Moreau and Moreau Merit Scholars. Bishop McNamara High School proudly sponsors the Moreau Scholarship Program to recognize the academic achievement of outstanding Catholic students. The scholarships are based on the results of the Moreau Scholarship Examination administered by Bishop McNamara High School in January, offering the top scholars full and partial tuition scholarships. For more on the Moreau Scholarship, go to Scholarships. Events include the autumn induction ceremony and the Je-parody challenge.
Moderator: Ms. Kim Weaver
Mu Alpha Theta Mathematics Honor Society
The Mu Alpha Theta Mathematics Honor Society offers recognition to exemplary students who have excelled in mathematics. The society exists to increase interest and awareness in mathematics and its relation to real world events and occupations, and to nurture a positive attitude toward mathematics and problem solving.
Moderator: Ms. Linda Corley
National English Honor Society (NEHS)
The National English Honor Society (NEHS), founded and sponsored by Sigma Tau Delta, is the only international organization exclusively for high school students and faculty who, in the field of English, merit special note for past and current accomplishments. Individual high schools are invited to petition for a local chapter, through which individuals may be inducted into Society membership. Immediate benefits of affiliation include international recognition, scholarship eligibility, and opportunities for international networking with others who share enthusiasm for, and accomplishment in, the language arts. Eventually NEHS will hold conferences and provide ways to link NEHS with other honor societies and with organizations related to the field of English.
Moderator: Ms. Debra Brennan
National French Honor Society
The local high school chapter provides a vehicle to focus activities around French language and Francophone literatures and cultures and to encourage participation in the annual writing contest and travel grant competition. In addition, students can acquire leadership skills by serving as officers, directing the initiation ceremony, or leading other chapter events.
Moderator: Ms. Paola Apolinares
National Honor Society
The National Honor Society is an organization of students who have been selected for membership because they have exhibited excellence in the areas of scholarship, leadership, character and service. Members are required to continue their service to the school and community.
Moderator: Ms. Cherese Howard
National Honor Society for Dance Arts
NHSDA exists to promote and honor outstanding artistic achievement in dance, outstanding academic achievement,to encourage young dance artists to be leaders in their community and to foster an appreciation for dance as a true art form and one worthy of recognition and prestige.
- The NDEO Student Chapter provides students interested in dance and dance arts education the chance to:
- Organize performance opportunities for students
- Implement mentorship programs with incoming freshmen or local middle school aged dance students
- Make connections with community organizations to offer dance workshops or classes
- Administer the National Honor Society for Dance Arts program
- Raise money to benefit local dance initiatives and charity programs
- Sponsor guest teaching artists and other enrichment activities
- Host professional and career development networking events with the NDEO state affiliate and other professional local organizations
- Provide social opportunities for intellectual and creative exchange of ideas
Moderator: Ms. Cindy King
National Spanish Honor Society
The Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica (SHH) is an honor society for high school students enrolled in Spanish and/or Portuguese, sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese (AATSP). The mission of the Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica is to recognize high school achievement in Spanish and Portuguese and to promote interest in Hispanic and Luso-Brazilian studies.
Moderator: Ms. Paola Apolinares
RHO KAPPA Social Studies Honor Society
RHO KAPPA Social Studies Honor Society is the only national organization for high school juniors and seniors that recognizes excellence in the field of Social Studies. RHO KAPPA provides national recognition and opportunities for exploration in the social studies. The mission and purpose of this organization is to promote scholarship and to recognize academic excellence in social studies in secondary school environments and the community, to provide through its local chapters opportunities for exploration in the social studies in secondary school environments and the community, to encourage interest in, understanding of, and appreciation for the social studies.
Moderator: Ms. Percilla Wills
Science National Honor Society
The Science National Honor Society acknowledges those students who have shown excellence in the field of science and have been recognized for their achievements. Members are encouraged to recognize scientific and intellectual thought, to advance their knowledge of classical and modern science, and to participate in community service and in turn, be dedicated to the pursuit of scientific knowledge that benefits all humankind. Members of the SNHS assist with the organization of "Mustangs Go Pink", which is the annual event to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Students must complete an application to be considered for membership.
Moderator: Ms. Kazimer
Tri-M Music Honor Society
Tri-M Honor Society is an international music honor society for band, orchestra, and choir students designed to recognize students for their academic and musical achievements, reward them for their accomplishments and service activities, and to inspire other students to excel at music and leadership. Tri-M serves to increase student and school involvement with music and make a stronger and more unified school music program. Tri-M members are upstanding musicians who embody the four Tri-M standards of Scholarship, Leadership, Service, and Character. Membership criteria include continued participation in the instrumental or vocal music program with an “A" average, a minimum overall GPA of 2.5 or higher, and a demonstrated desire and effort to excel in the music program.
Moderator: Mrs. Francine Amos-Hardy
Professional Organizations
Bishop McNamara offers students a chance to explore future career opportunities in such areas as Business, Engineering, Law, Mathematics, Science, and Technology with our variety of Professional Clubs.
Join with other students in activities and clubs that help develop skill sets that will be applicable in a wide variety of professions. Click on any organization for more information.
- ACE Mentoring
- Astronomy Club
- Coding Club
- ESports Team
- Mock Trial
- Music Production Club
- Photography Club
- Pre-Health Careers Club
- Psyched
- Science & Ecology Explorers Club
- The We Are All Educators, Org. (The WAAE)
ACE Mentoring
The ACE Mentoring Club works with local professionals in the field of Architecture, Construction, and Engineering. Our mentors work with our students through hands-on projects, field trips, and guest speakers. The goal of the club is to inspire the students to pursue careers in design and construction. Seniors in the club are eligible for a college scholarship.
Moderator: Ms. Stacey Coney
Astronomy Club
Moderator: Ms. Phoebe McClincy
Coding Club
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Moderator: Mr. Matt Walther
ESports Team
Moderator: Ms. Janay Middelton
Mock Trial
In partnership with the Maryland State Bar Association and Maryland Judiciary, the Mock Trial program increases understanding of the law, court procedures and the legal system by allowing students to argue a novel criminal or civil court case each year. The program also increase proficiency in basic life skills such as listening, speaking, reading and reasoning; promote better communication and cooperation between the high school community and legal profession; and heighten appreciation for academic studies as well as career consciousness of law-related professions.
Moderator: Mr. Brian Brower
Music Production Club
This Club is designed to allow an opportunity for students interested in music production to gather, collaborate and share ideas about the field.
Moderator: Mr. Joshua Denkler
Photography Club
The Photography Club learns and executes fundamental principles of photography (exposure and/or balance, focus and depth-of-field, composition and lighting), produces print-worthy digital photographs that can be included in the yearbook and/or on school digital platforms, including the website and social media, and documents school events as needed in collaboration with the Yearbook Journalism Class and Freed Photography.
Moderator: Ms. Sasha Buchanan
Pre-Health Careers Club
The Pre-Health Careers Club is for students who want to explore careers in medicine, with current information and advice from experts to help discover if they would like a career in medicine, and learn more about pre-med programs in college.
Moderator: Ms. Teresa Robinson
Psyched
This club will expand on the available learning opportunities for students interested in psychology. They will also be able to learn more about their mind and how they can deal with specific school-related stressors, which might allow them to improve their mental health.
Moderator: Mr. Adam Greer
Science & Ecology Explorers Club
The Science and Ecology Explorers Club is for anyone interested in making the world a better place. Our typical activities include visiting a museum or natural area such as Jug Bay, Midterm Madness vegetarian soup sample give away, and quick science investigations or experiments. We also sell veggie and flower plants in the spring in order to raise funds for the various garden projects around campus.
Moderator: Mrs. Jan Steeger
The We Are All Educators, Org. (The WAAE)
The WAAE is a non-profit career mentorship & professional development organization. We help students figure out what career they want to pursue. If you already know your future career, we help you create action step towards reaching your career and life goals. For more information, please visit http://www.wearealleducators.wixsite.com/thewaae
Moderator: Mr. Darrell Holloman
Recreational Organizations
Recreational Organizations
From hiking, skiing and rock climbing to movies, trivia and yoga, whatever activities Bishop McNamara High School students are interested in, they can find diverse opportunities to explore those interests. If they don't find something they're interested in, there's always the opportunity t show leadership in starting a new club or activity!
- Adventure Club
- Book Club
- Chess Club
- Downward Dawgs Yoga Club
- Marvel/DC Club
- Mental Support Squad
- Quiz Bowl
- True Crime Club
Adventure Club
The Adventure Club takes trips to go skiing and snowboarding, rock climbing, and hiking.
Moderator: Mrs. Mary Nolte
Book Club
The BMHS Book Club is a student-led group who enjoys reading and discussing books across different genres.
Moderator: Mr. Adam Greer
Chess Club
The Chess Club meets to play chess, learn new strategies, analyze games, and take courses to improve their play.
Moderator: Mr. Matthew Fredericks
Downward Dawgs Yoga Club
Our club meets on Fridays from 3:00-3:45 in the Blue Room at Mt. Calvary to practice yoga together, with the goal of increasing flexibility and strength, while reducing stress.
Moderator: Ms. Susanne Mendiola
Marvel/DC Club
This club engages in debates and discussions surrounding movies and trailers, games, and trivia about Marvel and DC superhero universes.
Moderator: Dr. Mathew Scruggs
Mental Support Squad
Moderator: Ms. Mian Hairston
Quiz Bowl
Quiz Bowl is an academic trivia club designed to practice answering questions on a wide variety of subjects in a competitive setting.
Moderator: Mr. Billy Sunday
True Crime Club
This club will explore real-life crime cases and investigate the theories behind them.
Moderator: Ms. Kameron Dreher
Student Leadership
Bishop McNamara wants all student to develop into leaders to transform the world. These are just a few opportunities for students to develop those leadership skills.
- McNamara Emerging Leader Training (MELT)
- Student Council
- Class Cabinets
- Student-Athlete Leadership Council
McNamara Emerging Leader Training (MELT)
MELT stands for McNamara Emerging Leadership Training. It is a leadership training program for rising juniors and seniors during the summer that exists to aid in the formation of leaders who will serve the school and their communities.
Moderators: Ms. Amanda Saunders and Mr. Samuel Hardwick
Student Council
The purpose of the Student Council is to promote a sense of leadership among students. Its mission is to encourage the involvement and participation of students in all social, political and recreational aspects of the school.
Moderator: Mr. Brian Brower
Class Cabinets
Each grade level has its own elected Class Officers who participate in Student Council meetings, as well as meet regularly with their supporting and representative Class Cabinet to fundraise for their class, plan and execute class events, and work to promote school spirit within their class
12th Grade Moderator: Ms. Laura Keller
11th Grade Moderators: Mr. Armani Mason-Callaway
10th Grade Moderator: Ms. Janay Middelton
9th Grade Moderator: Ms. Jaleshea Cobbs
Student-Athlete Leadership Council
The Student-Athlete Leadership Council strives to support the entire school community through interactive athletic events, school spirit, community service, and leadership activities that will impact the school community. Student-Athlete leadership council members will model the ideals of the Holy Cross tradition and exemplify what it is to be a Bishop McNamara student-athlete.
Moderator: Mr. Martin Keithline
Student Publications
Bishop McNamara provides a great options for students to express their literary interests through student publications.
Fiction Writing Club
Fiction Writing Club will take inspiration from our favorite fiction pieces (novels, poems, protest, screenplays, etc.) and create our own works of art. We will spend time sharing our writing and offering feedback to ultimately participate in the Scholastic Art & Writing Award Contest.
Moderator: Ms. Haley Potter
Poetry Club
Moderator: Ms. Emily Koenick