Clubs & Activities
We are involved. D.A. girls shine not only as gifted students but as talented athletes, dancers, artists, and actors. Students are encouraged to suggest new clubs and organizations to represent emerging areas of interest. Motivated students may start a club with demonstrated interest among the student body, the approval of the Principal, and the commitment of a faculty moderator.
There's something for everyone!
Clubs and Activities, 2020-2021
ACADEMIC & SOCIAL INTEREST:
Book Club
Chess Club
Finance Club
National Honor Society (NHS)
Rainbow Connection
Student Ambassadors
Students of Color Alliance (S.O.C.A.)
ADVOCACY & SERVICE:
Campus Ministry
D.A. Preachers (DAPs)
Ecology Club
Social Action Service Club
Valor Club
Women’s Empowerment
ARTS:
Art Club
Dance Club
Drama Club
Film & Animation Club
Glee Club (1/2 credit)
Museum Club
Shakespeare Club
CULTURE & LANGUAGE:
Certamen
Culture Club
French Club
Latin Club
Spanish Club
STUDENT PUBLICATIONS:
Dominican Yearbook (1/4 credit)
The Muse Literary Journal
Student Prints Newspaper
GOVERNMENT:
Mock Trial
Model U.N.
Student Council
STEM:
Engineering & Robotics Club
Girls Who Code
Pre-Med Society
Psychology Club
Club Descriptions and Moderators
- Academic & Social Interest
- Advocacy & Service
- Arts
- Culture & Language
- Government
- STEM
- Student Publications
Academic & Social Interest
Book Club
Book Club members aim to read a select book every month. The book selection is chosen based on club preference, and the Book Club's monthly theme. The ultimate goal is for the D.A. community to read a book selection and invite the book’s author to an event for the whole school to attend at the end of the year.
Moderator: Ms. Mary Somboonchoke
Chess ClubChess Club membership is open to all students regardless of skill level. The club meets monthly and participates in both informal games and tournament-style play.
Moderator: Mrs. Shannon Dufresne
Finance Club
Finance Club members learn about personal financial planning, including investing and the elements of corporate finance. Club members play a stock market game and examine student loans and taxes. The goal of the Finance Club is to encourage student interest in the field of Finance.
Moderator: Mr. Charles McDermott
National Honor Society/Peer tutoring
Students who qualify for this service organization are inducted at the beginning of their Senior year. National Honor Society members spearhead the Peer Tutoring Program and provide tours for all Open House and Sneak Peek admissions events. Students also carry out a service project each year. The National Honor Society can best be characterized by the four pillars qualifying students are called to uphold: Leadership, Service, Character, and Scholarship.
Moderators: Ms. Jennifer Reardon-Muller and Dr. Lauren Serpagli
Rainbow Connection
This group meets to discuss issues relevant to the LGBTQ+ community. Club members help to organize the National Day of Silence at D.A., which is a student-led movement that takes place throughout the U.S. to draw attention to the issue of bullying and harassment of the LGBTQ+ community.
Student Ambassadors
This club consists of students who wish to volunteer at Admissions and Development events such as Open Houses, High School Fairs, Reunions, and D.A.’s annual Spring Gala. Orientation takes place in the Fall and meetings take place as needed before events. Student Ambassadors must volunteer at a total of four events throughout the school year.
Moderator: Ms. Madeleine Metzler
Students Of Color Alliance (S.O.C.A.)
S.O.C.A focuses on educating students on people of color. Club members discuss books, scholarly journals, and movies created by people of color and how they impact society at large. Club members also explore current issues in today’s society that impact people of color. Club members strive to bring different cultures together and focus on educating each other on topics that are important to everyone.
Moderator: Ms. Kaitlyn LiPuma
Advocacy & Service
Campus Ministry
Campus Ministry organizes school-wide events throughout the year including Trick or Treating for Canned Goods, Christmas with a Cause, Clothing Swap and more. The goal of Campus Ministry is to establish a faith-based community where we assist in the formation of the Catholic conscience of our students, faculty, and staff. We help to form future leaders in our Catholic community and society.
Moderator: Ms. Kathryn McCann
Dominican Academy Preachers (DAPs)
Students may apply to become a member of DAPs for their Junior and Senior years. DAPs members plan, organize and lead Freshman Retreat, annual Christmas Drive for Hour Children, Catholic Schools Week, and Global Awareness Week. Members also lead the school in prayer and the pledge at the beginning and end of the school day and give the 'DAPs Welcome' at the beginning of school liturgies.
Moderator: Ms. Kathryn McCann
Ecology Club
Club members present and discuss environmental issues, problems, and possible solutions to some of the most pressing ecological topics today.
Moderator: Ms. Lindsey Feldman
Social Action Service Club
Social Action Service Club attracts students with a passion for volunteering, being active in their community and discussing social issues going on in our world today. This club provides members with various opportunities to volunteer individually, as well as in a group setting throughout the school year.
Moderator: Ms. Kathryn McCann
Student Council
Membership in Student Council is determined annually through election by the student body. Each Homeroom elects two representatives to send to weekly meetings. The full student body elects executive leaders. Student Council plans school-wide events and trips to deepen student inclusion in the D.A. community and foster school pride. Student Council provides the opportunity for students to propose activities that meet the changing interests of D.A. students. Student Council members liaison with faculty and administrators to address student needs. Major events include dances and the annual ski trip.
Moderator: Ms. Jennifer Reardon
Valor Club
The Valor Club works to commemorate veterans and those who currently serve in the Armed Forces. Club members bring awareness to the sacrifices made by our men and women in uniform and help to commemorate all that they do to protect our country. The club also seeks to teach fellow students about the importance of our Armed Forces by organizing activities to recognize and show our appreciation to veterans.
Moderator: Mr. Charles McDermott
Women’s Empowerment
Club members gather to discuss feminist topics, gender studies, and to plan activities to help bring attention to issues that impact girls and women in the United States and throughout the world.
Moderator: Ms. Alana Daly
Arts
Art Club
Art Club members create art, share ideas, photos and portfolios of their individual work, and offer workshops to other students on new techniques and mediums.
Moderator: Ms. Alana Daly
Culture Club
Culture Club members meet to examine and discuss a variety of cultures. Students present stories and prepare foods to share from their culture. Club members also try to bring about cultural awareness throughout the D.A. school community.
Moderator: Ms. Mary Somboonchoke
Dance Club
Dance Club creates and rehearses dances throughout the school year, in preparation for a performance as part of the “Evening of the Arts” program each Spring.
Moderator: Ms. Eleanor Bunker
Drama Club
Members of the Drama Club produce the annual school play. Previous productions have included, A Savage Dilemma and Little Shop of Horrors. Drama Club is open to all D.A. students.
Moderator: Ms. Gwyneth Mooney
Film and Animation Club
Students in this club watch and analyze movies selected by club members. Club members discuss the elements of filmmaking and are encouraged to create their own short films and videos.
Moderator: Ms. Lyla Cerulli
Glee Club
The members of the Glee Club perform on various occasions throughout the year. Students rehearse twice per week to strengthen sight-reading skills and also perform vocal exercises.
Moderator: Ms. Gwyneth Mooney
Museum Club
This club visits many of the great art museums throughout New York City. Club members also screen films about art and artists. It is open to all students, even those who do not take Art History courses.
Moderator: Mrs. Rita Salfeld
Shakespeare Club
Students in Shakespeare Club learn to present passages, sonnets, and soliloquies from the works of Shakespeare. Students also prepare for the National Shakespeare Competition. The first competition is among students in our school, next is a state competition, and finally a national competition.
Moderator: Ms. Mary Somboonchoke
Culture & Language
Certamen
This is the Latin Quiz Bowl Team, where students meet after school to practice answering questions about Roman culture, religion, and the Latin language. They attend meets at Browning and neighboring schools on Saturdays. It is open to students in Grades 10-12.
Moderator: Ms. Lyla Cerulli
French Club
Students explore aspects of French culture and cuisine in the French Club. They visit museums to view artwork by French masters, bake palmiers, fry crepes, and enjoy all things French!
Moderator: Sister Joan Franks, O.P.
Latin Club
Club members watch films, play mythology games, and visit museums. Latin Club seeks to foster an appreciation of Roman culture and the contributions of the Romans to our world.
Moderator: Miss Roseann Perrone
Spanish Club
Club members celebrate many aspects of the beautiful and diverse Hispanic culture, through museum visits, movies, holiday celebrations, cooking events, and of course, fiestas! The Spanish club is open to all interested students.
Moderator: Ms. Pia Gliatta
Government
Mock Trial
Mock Trial is an imitation trial for students interested in law, government, acting, or public speaking. Mock Trial students have the opportunity to assume the role of lawyer, witness, or understudy and compete against other schools at the state and national levels. Students who plan to audition for the role of a lawyer or witness should be prepared to assume an additional workload.
Moderator: Ms. Ashley Rossi
Student Council
Membership in Student Council is determined annually through election by the student body. Each Homeroom elects two representatives to send to weekly meetings. The full student body elects executive leaders. Student Council plans school-wide events and trips to deepen student inclusion in the D.A. community and foster school pride. Student Council provides the opportunity for students to propose activities that meet the changing interests of D.A. students. Student Council members liaison with faculty and administrators to address student needs. Major events include dances and the annual ski trip.
Moderator: Ms. Jennifer Reardon-Muller
STEM
Engineering and Robotics Club
Club members are introduced to micro-controllers, stepper motors, servo motors, and sensors. Students learn to integrate these hardware components with software to control robotic arms, 3-D printers and more.
Moderator: Mr. Benito Rosada
Girls Who Code Club
Students learn key concepts in Computer Science by exploring their own interests and solve problems through coding. Club members work as a team to create games, mobile apps or websites. The goal is to develop and strengthen interest in Computer technology and coding and introduce our students to the field of Computer Science.
Moderator: Mr. Benito Rosada
Pre-Med Society
Students involved in the Pre-Med Society discuss Anatomy and Physiology topics. In addition, guest speakers are invited to club events to share professional experiences, answer questions, and provide hands-on activities. By taking part in the Pre-Med Society, students explore their shared interest in the medical field. The group also hosts D.A.’s annual STEAM Expo.
Moderator: Dr. Lauren Serpagli
Psychology Club
Psychology Club is for any student interested in Psychology, either in preparation for AP Psych or just out of sheer curiosity! The club explores various topics of interest, including mental health awareness and the behavior of ourselves and others. Club members also seek to promote positive solutions to stress management, relationship building, and ensure self-care.
Moderator: Ms. Ashley Rossi
Student Publications
THE DOMINICAN YEARBOOK
Members of The Dominican yearbook staff are active in photography, copywriting, layout, design, proofreading, and the business side of publishing a yearbook. Staff members meet once monthly to share ideas, coordinate assignments, and deadlines. Students work independently throughout the month to cover school events and activities and to complete assignments.
Moderator: Mrs. Shannon Dufresne
The Muse Literary Journal
Students interested in creative writing, poetry, and short stories work together to publish The Muse, D.A.’s Literary Journal. Staff members meet to discuss elements of writing. Meetings culminate in the publication of The Muse, a Literary Journal comprised of student works.
Moderator: Ms. Mary Somboonchoke
Student Prints Newspaper
Members of the Student Prints staff are active in writing and editing newsworthy articles to be read by the entire student body. Student Prints is a quarterly publication.
Moderator: Mrs. Shannon Dufresne