Clubs and Activities

Rachel Orga, Youth Development Lead

Samantha Reynolds, School Improvement Lead

Woodside High School offers a diverse array of activities for students to join in order to develop new skills, meet new people, expand their interests, and enable them to have an interactive role beyond that of a student. Below is the complete list of classes, clubs, and organizations with the corresponding sponsors. All students attending Woodside High School have the opportunity to participate in a class, club, or organization and are highly encouraged to do so!

Graduating Class Clubs

Open to anyone in the grade level.

Club/Activity	Sponsor
Class of 2026	Jordan Christie
Class of 2027	Shannon Dunn
Class of 2028	Nicole Miller
Class of 2029	Olivia Germann-McClain

Open Clubs

Open to anyone in the school.

Club/Activity	Sponsor	Description
American Sign Language Club	Renee Vonderhaar
Anime/Manga Club	Elizabeth Kayser	Anime are Japanese animated productions featuring hand-drawn or computer animation. Woodside High School’s Anime and Manga club’s mission is to provide a positive environment for students to connect with each other through the medium of Anime. Our members participate in watching, discussing, and learning about Anime related topics during meetings while also making friends. Woodside Anime and Manga wishes for students to become successful in whatever they choose to pursue in life, and strives to promote a healthy balance of academics and learning with recreational interests such as cosplay, crafting, art skills, cooking, and music composition.
Art Club	Alexis Mulvihill	Art Club’s purpose is to give the possibility of art to all students for art's sake, rather than a grade. It offers the chance for art magnet and non-art magnet students to create in an open community studio. Magnet art students can use this as extra work time on classwork, and non-art magnet students can freely create based on prompts.
Black History Month Celebration	Carolyn Pope-Fralin
Chess Club	James Berry	The Chess Club meets together to play Chess.
Community Arts Club	Basilios Kaoudis	The Community Arts Club will allow students to collaborate with the community and other organizations in creating themed and original forms of art, which brings awareness to what our artistic students are doing, not only for Woodside, but for other organizations.
Debate Team	Ebony Majeed
Drama Club	Chasida Taylor Marcia Wright	The Drama Club helps develop people's gifts, talents, and confidence through the arts, and it provides an opportunity to be a part of a community. Participants learn about theatre arts through the action of doing theatre.
Drone Team
Dungeons and Dragons	Alexander Riccio	The Dungeons and Dragons Club meets together to play Dungeons and Dragons.
eSports	James Berry	eSports creates a safe, fun, competitive space for gamers to learn, communicate, and compete against teams from across the state.
Flourish	Brianna Green	Flourish is a student-led empowerment program, designed to equip female students with information and prepare them for a future in global leadership. Flourish members work together to make an impact in their schools, community, and the world by social entrepreneurship, service projects and much more. Members also learn valuable skills, addressing topics such as self-discovery, positive relationships and health and wellness.
Forensics Speech	Christel Stanley Raquel Tucker	Members recite poetry, read children's stories, make up their own speech, and generally like being in front of an audience, similar to drama without the props; meetings average twice a month; Forensics Tournaments are held with regional high schools from October to April.
Key Club	Michael Platt	Key Club is an international, student-led organization that affords its members opportunities to provide community service, build personal character, and develop leadership.
Knitter’s Nook	Laura Keyes	The Knitter’s Nook is designed to build a school community for students who are interested in knitting or crocheting. It’s a place to learn and be creative while developing positive relationships and having fun.
Library Squad	Stephanie Persson	The Library Squad supports and promotes literature to increase literacy. The squad also works toward building a positive and welcoming community in the school, especially the library, so it can be a safe place for students as well as a place to learn and read.
Live Well	Mandell Elm
Model UN	Matthew Henson	The goal of Model UN is to cultivate global awareness and equip students to be active, engaged global citizens prepared to address complex international challenges. Educating participants on global issues and UN functions, fosters diplomacy, negotiation, and critical thinking skills, and promotes international cooperation and conflict resolution.
Odyssey of the Mind	Denzil Brown
OUTSPOKEN Slam Poetry Team	Olivia Germann-McClain	OUTSPOKEN is Woodside’s first and ONLY competitive slam poetry team! Anyone can join us to speak their truth through the art of slam poetry. Unlike written poetry, slam poetry focuses on the creation of poetry that is written and designed to be performed in front of an audience. Students have the opportunity to commune and write with like-minded individuals and compete in the annual SPITFIRE competition held in the fall. Meetings are held during Wolverine Wednesday and select after-school dates.
Project Discovery	Katie Westbrook	HRCAP Project Discovery is a college access program for first-generation college students and/or come from low-income families. The program provides weekly workshops to students to help them develop the necessary skills to pursue post-secondary education. This program offers many benefits such as college application waivers, scholarships, monthly campus visits, financial aid helpful information, scholarship help and much more.
RISE!	Justin Carr	RISE! is a space for young men to explore what it means to be a modern man through a collective focus on chivalry, mentorship, and developing leadership skills.
Scholastic Bowl	Steven Brady	A Virginia High School League team that competes against other schools in a fun and competitive environment to test students' general knowledge with Jeopardy-style questions.
Step Team	Dr. Denise Purvis	Starting in January 2026, Woodside’s Step Team will begin its journey to represent our school through this time-honored dance style.
Student Athlete Leadership Team (SALT)	Eric Battle
Student 2 Student	Woodside Counseling Dept.	Assist military students with the transition into a new school.
Young Life Christian Club (iMagnify)	Matthew Taylor
YVC	Matthew Taylor

Class Clubs

Open to any student enrolled in the corresponding class during the school day.

Club/Activity	Sponsor	Description
AV Club	Denzil Brown
Band	Whitney Farrior
Café 122	Letitia Mitchell	The students in this class help run Café 122, a food and beverage resource for faculty and staff.
Chorus	Emilio Pesante
Communication Technology	Denzil Brown
Creative Writing	Olivia Germann-McClain
Dance Team	Dr. Denise Purvis
DECA	Robert Fontaine, Jonika Yarborough	Woodside DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management. Our mission is to provide students with opportunities to develop leadership skills, compete in DECA events, and connect classroom learning with real-world business experiences.
Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA)	Samantha Reynolds	Our mission is to strengthen our families and communities through the work we do. We offer a way for students to work in their community and help those in need.
Freshman Academy	Janet Costello
Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA)	Tina Shorter, Jonika Yarborough, Towanda Alister, Bianca Palmer-Scott	The purpose of FBLA is to bring education and real-world experience together, helping students become community-minded leaders and career-ready professionals. The mission of our local FBLA chapter is to prepare students for success in business and leadership by providing opportunities to learn, serve, compete, and connect. We strive to build confident, skilled, and community-minded leaders who are ready for the future.
Great Computer Challenge	John Runner
Guitar	Nathan Belch
Magnet Council	Amy Insley
Orchestra	Whitney Farrior, Sheila Downs
Photography Club	William Henley
Piano Club	Whitney Farrior
SkillsUSA	Denzil Brown	SkillsUSA is America’s proud champion of the skilled trades. Our mission is to empower students to become skilled professionals, career-ready leaders, and responsible community members.
STAND Anti-bullying Team	Rachel Orga	The mission of the STAND Team is to unite the school community in preventing bullying by promoting respect, responsibility, and the courage to speak out and stand up for others. The STAND Team offers students a structured way to use the SpeakUp system, lead programs like Expect Respect, and build a community that works together to create and maintain a positive school culture while discouraging harassing behaviors among peers.
Technology Student Association (TSA)	William Yarborough	Promote leadership and personal growth in students and prepare them to contribute to a technological world; open only to students currently enrolled in any Technology class.
Theatre Arts Club	Chasida Taylor Marcia Wright	Woodside Theatre produces a Fall Play and a Spring Musical annually to the Woodside community, showcasing the onstage and backstage talents of Woodside High School students. Theatre students and "non-theatre students" have opportunities to audition to act onstage or volunteer to contribute in technical theatre in a backstage capacity. With extraordinary commitment and dedication, students may be eligible to be inducted into the International Thespian Honor Society, which recognizes achievement in high school theatre.
Whispers from the Wood	Olivia Germann-McClain	Whispers from the Wood is Woodside's very own biannual literary magazine, bringing you exciting pieces of art and writing. The magazine is created and run by the seniors of the Creative Writing Magnet program, with all included pieces coming from members of Woodside's student body.
WeLeap	Heather Rogers, Kendra Dennis
The Wolverine Press	Olivia Germann-McClain	The Wolverine Press is a quarterly newspaper that is written by students for students. Students enrolled in Creative Writing Three will learn how to interview, collaborate, and put together stories that feel relevant and timely while informing and engaging their fellow students.
Unified School	Michael Platt	Unified Sports joins people with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team. It was inspired by a simple principle: training together and playing together is a quick path to friendship and understanding. Unified Sports teams offer students a chance to develop leadership skills, build friendships, and gain confidence by playing on a team with peers of different abilities. Students with intellectual disabilities get a more typical school sports experience, while Unified partners develop social awareness and acceptance, breaking down barriers and creating a more inclusive environment for everyone in the school and community.
Woodside Ambassadors	Chanique Byrd
Yearbook	William Henley

Clubs by Induction, Audition, Application or Election

Club/Activity	Sponsor	Description
Activities Support Students	Brian DePrinzio	The Activity Support Students is a hand-selected group of dynamic students who are highly involved in the implementation and facilitation of the Woodside Activities program.
Art National Honor Society	Maria Carter	The Art National Honor Society offers students an opportunity to express themselves through art and aids the community by promoting art education. It provides recognition for artistic talents and provides leadership opportunities for visual arts students, while spotlighting the success and community work of Woodside's visual arts program.
Artistic Verses	Brian DePrinzio Olivia Germann-McClain	Artistic Verses is an ekphrastic poetry writing experience held annually by NNPS in partnership with Christopher Newport University's Torggler Center for the Arts. Students engage in a hands-on writing workshop with experts and then, after viewing a major art exhibit in-person, they select a piece of art and write an original poem inspired by it. The district will judge all entries and award prizes for the top pieces.
Color Guard	Whitney Farrior	Participate in performance ensembles utilizing flags and dance movement; auditions are held each spring or contact Mr. Austin over the summer.
Emerging Leaders	Marisol Morales-Diaz	Emerging Leaders supports students who don't have current leadership positions in our school but have a desire to serve their school and community in different ways.
French National Honor Society	Rhevyn Berry	The primary goals of the French National Honor Society are to increase appreciation for the French-speaking world, stimulate interest in the study of French, and promote international friendship. Students who demonstrate outstanding scholarship in the French language and culture are invited to apply. Members are required to maintain high academic standards and participate in various French and Francophone cultural activities, like tutoring, community service, and cultural events.
German National Honor Society	Britta Esser	German 3, 4 or AP students with 3.0 overall GPA, 3.6 GPA in German and do 5 hours of community service related to German culture.
International Thespian Society	Chasida Taylor Marcia Wright,	An honor society that recognizes outstanding accomplishments in high school theater; students become eligible by making significant contributions to the success of productions and by demonstrating outstanding leadership and service to the theater department; inductions in the spring.
Leading Ladies	Chanique Byrd
Mu Alpha Theta (Math National Honor Society)	Jennifer Saunders, Heather Rogers	Mu Alpha Theta celebrates students who excel at math. We compete in math competitions and bring awareness of math to the school during Pi week in March. We partner with Thrive Peninsula and donate food and funds raised through events during Pi week. We also support the school by offering tutoring.
National Honor Society	Jordan Christie	Membership in the Michele Robison Chapter of the National Honor Society is an honor bestowed upon exceptional Woodside High School scholars. Selection for membership is by a faculty council and is based on outstanding scholarship, character, leadership, and service. Once selected, members have the responsibility to continue to demonstrate these qualities. NHS serves the Woodside and Newport News community through service by hosting service projects.
Nu Delta Alpha (Dance National Honor Society)	Dr. Denise Purvis	Nu Delta Alpha recognizes exceptional devotion to dance at Woodside, along with high-caliber work in all classes. Students must maintain a high GPA as well as participate in many dance department events.
Principal's Advisory Committee	Dr. Mary Hardesty
PTSA	Beverly Husband, Eura White
Science National Honor Society	Nakisha Stallings	The Science National Honor Society (SNHS) recognizes students who have demonstrated excellence in encouraging and recognizing scientific and intellectual thought. These students work to advance their knowledge of classical and modern science. Members communicate with the scientific community, aid others with the comprehension of science, participate in community service and in turn, and pursue scientific knowledge that benefits all. Students must maintain a minimum of a 3.5 weighted grade point average on the 4.0 scale and a B or higher across all science courses.
Social Studies National Honor Society	Janet Costello
Spanish National Honor Society	Martha Avila Marisol Morales-Diaz	The mission of the Spanish Honor Society is to recognize high achievement in the study of the Spanish language and to promote interest in Hispanic culture, language, and community. Our club provides opportunities for students to deepen their knowledge of the Spanish-speaking world, develop leadership skills, and serve the school and local community through cultural events, service projects, and academic excellence.
Student Advisory Group on Education (SAGE)	Mandell Elm	A group of students who collaborate with the superintendent to provide input and initiate positive changes to the school division that directly impacts students; application only.
Student Council Association (SCA)	Emily Dadez, Brittney Heath	The purpose of Student Council at Woodside is to serve as the voice of the student body, promoting leadership, school spirit, and a sense of community. It provides students with the opportunity to develop responsibility, teamwork, and organizational skills while planning events, supporting school initiatives, and addressing student concerns. Through service projects, school activities, and collaboration with staff and peers, Student Council works to create a positive and inclusive school environment where every student feels represented and engaged.
Student Mentor Coordinators	Nikolas van Oekel, Najee Curry
Tri-M (Music National Honor Society)	Sheila Downs Whitney Farrior	A National Music Honor Society that recognizes outstanding accomplishments in instrumental and vocal music; students are nominated by their music teacher in December/January, and are selected based on academics and individual musical performances.
United Way	Brian DePrinzio, Beverly Husband