Clubs & Activities

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

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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

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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  

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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

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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.  

Moderator:  Ms. Alana Daly

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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

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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

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Liturgical Dance

Students create and practice movement for the Thanksgiving and Christmas liturgies, as well as take a special part in school liturgies, including the procession and the offertory.

Moderator:  Ms. Eleanor Bunker

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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

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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

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

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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.  

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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

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

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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

 

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

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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

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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

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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

 

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

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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

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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:  Mr. Charles McDermott