ATHLETICS
Spring Sports
Starts March 1st, 2017
Baseball (Varsity)
Steve Murfin
Baseball (JV)
Gary Lowe
Gymnastics
Victoria White
Lacrosse (Varsity Boys)
Patrick Howley
Lacrosse (JV Boys)
Sam Steinman
Lacrosse (Varsity Girls)
Allison Baisey (Head Coach)
Carlyn Stefanelli (Assistant Coach)
Lacrosse (JV Girls)
Sharon Metzger
Rachel Babcock
Softball (Varsity)
Nicole Wallace (Head Coach)
Dave Shipani (Assistant Coach)
Softball (JV)
TBA
Tennis (Boys)
Karl Johnson
Outdoor Track & Field
Brandon Tynes (Head Coach)
Andrew Brodeur (Assistant Coach)
DeShawn Anderson (Assistant Coach)
Sophia Anderson-McMaster (Assistant Coach)
Volleyball (Boys)
Dana Mitchell
Volleyball (Coed)
David Fitzgerald
Extracurricular Activities
2016—2017
Christopher Berry, Principal
Elizabeth Yargici, Signature Program Coordinator
Jared Fribush, Athletic Director
Academic
Performing Arts
Bengal Café
Bengal Dance Line
ATHLETICS
BlakeReads Fantasy
Blake Stage Company
Blake Dance Company
Winter Sports
BlakeReads Multigenre
Blake Robotics
Bollywood Bengals
Chemathon
Children's Theatre
Debate Team
Color Guard (Flags/Majorette)
Educator Rising
Forensics
FAME
Hip-Hop Club
Hispanic Leadership
Marching Band
History Club
Tap Club
Homework Club
Theatre Costuming
It’s Academic
Literary Magazine: Melody
Model U.N.
Newspaper: The Blake Beat
Science Club
Slam Poetry
Yearbook: Tempo
Service
Allies 4 Equality
Class of 2017
Class of 2018
Class of 2019
Blake Community Ice Hockey Team
Key
Blake Ski and Snowboard Club
Leo
Cultural, Religious, Political
Project Change
Renaissance
Black Student Union
Student Government Association (SGA)
Femme
Superhero Club
Young Democrats
Honor Societies
French Honor Society
National Art Honor Society
National English Honor Society
National Honor Society
BlakeNET Web Team
Eubie TV (TV News)
Girls Who Code
Environmental Club
Greenhouse Club
Hiking Club
Visual Arts
Anime
Comedy Club
Knitting Club
Basketball (Varsity Girls)
Patti Gilmore
Kat Costenbader
Basketball (JV Girls)
Sydney Stinson
Unified Bocce
Rick & Rita Battaglia
Cheerleading (Varsity)
Victoria White
Sheila Saunders
Indoor Track & Field
Fashion / Costume Design
Fashion Xpressions
Photography
Theatre Publicity/Programs
Skate Club
ATHLETICS
Table Top Games Club
Fall Sports
Tea Club
Winter Sports
Spring Sports
Brandon Tynes (Head Coach)
Sophia Anderson-McMaster (Assistant Coach)
Andrew Brodeur (Assistant Coach)
Poms
Brianna Lopez
Swim & Dive
Ryan Burnsky (Head Coach)
Julie Scherer (Assistant Coach)
The Environment & Outdoors
Tri-M Music Honor Society
Bengal Pride Fan Group
Kenny Prather
Technology
Spanish Honor Society
Just For Fun
Basketball (JV Boys)
Men of Blake
Asian-American Culture
Society 129
Dondrell Whitmore
Best Buddies
Club Sports
International
Basketball (Varsity Boys)
Ambassadors
Class of 2020
Fuego Latino
Starts November 15th, 2016
Wrestling (Varsity)
Rasheim Smith
Wrestling (JV)
Steven Penland
Cody Stageberg
Academic
ATHLETICS
Bengal Café
Fred Katz
Fall Sports
Starts August 10th, 2016
Cheerleading (Varsity)
Victoria White
Sheila Saunders
Cheerleading (JV)
Candace Jones
Cross Country
Andrew Brodeur (Head Coach)
Stephanie Staub (Assistant Coach)
D153
Bengal Café is a student-managed and operated retail establishment that is open before
school, during lunch and after school. Students learn the basic business operations and
gain experience at operating a retail convenience store. Students are compensated in SSL
hours worked. The mission of the Bengal Café is to promote Entrepreneurship and provide
students with actual work experience so that they can gain experience and knowledge of
business operations.
Blake Reads Fantasy Book Club
Jeannette Hayes
4th Tuesday @ Lunch in MC
BlakeReads Fantasy book club is open to all students who enjoy reading fantasy as a genre
and enjoy sharing books with each other. Each month books in a different genre are chosen,
and students read a book of their individual choice from that category then meet to discuss
it and recommend titles to each other. Categories include: Magical animals and Mythical
Beasts, Fantasy in retold tales, and folklore in fantasy. Our mission is to encourage and
promote a lifelong love of reading for enjoyment.
Blake Reads Multigenre Book Club
Matthew MacLeod
2nd Tuesday @ Lunch in MC
Field Hockey (Varsity)
Patrick Howley
Field Hockey (JV)
Melina Latona
Football (Varsity)
DeShawn Anderson
Football (JV)
Julian Bolton
Golf
Sam Silverman
Blake Robotics
Frank Krach
Poms
Brianna Lopez
Students in the robotics club investigate the engineering of robotics! Come and see what we
can create together.
Soccer (Varsity Boys)
David Edlow
Soccer (JV Boys)
Bruno Tejo
Soccer (Varsity Girls)
Jenna Essenmacher
Soccer (JV Girls)
Kristina Valerio
Tennis (Girls)
Mike Krawczel
Volleyball (Varsity Girls)
Dana Mitchell
Volleyball (JV Girls)
David Fitzgerald
BlakeReads Multigenre book club is open to all students who enjoy reading and sharing
books with each other. Each month books in a different genre or category are chosen. Students read a book of their individual choice from that category and meet to discuss it and
recommend titles to each other. Categories this year include steampunk fantasy, series reading, books with road trips in them and romance and love triangles. Our mission is to encourage and promote a lifelong love of reading for enjoyment.
Chemathon
Meredith Zanni
@ Lunch in A103
D149
Students in the chemathon club are preparing for and competing at the University of Maryland Chemathon event in late April.
Debate Team
Michael Kelley
Wednesdays & Fridays @ Lunch in A212
Students in the debate team work in pairs to research debate topics that relate to the important issues of today. They compete against other Montgomery County schools in five
monthly tournaments, and the best pairs win the privilege of competing in the finals in February. Our mission is to help students collaborate effectively, research extensively, and argue cohesively in a professional atmosphere. Students will learn to see complicated issues
from multiple viewpoints, and will become more informed and active citizens as a result.
Educator Rising
Beth Kauffman
@ Lunch in E160
Educators Rising is an evolution of Future Educators Association for students interested in
a teaching career. The goal remains the same: to encourage interested students to consider a
career in education. All Blake students interested in teaching can register by going online.
Students become automatic members of Bengal Chapter-Meetings.
Educatorsrising.org/virtualcampus
The Environment & Outdoors
Academic
FAME
Omari Daniel
@ Lunch in A213
FAME Females achieving and maintain excellence is committed to creating a positive student
community by supporting 9th grade students to excel in academics, athletics, and extracurricular activities. Fame motivates students through peer mentoring and tutoring to help
them transition successfully to high school. FAME is sponsored by the National Council of
Negro Women, who mentor the seniors and juniors, who inturn mentor the freshman.
Hispanic Leadership
Denise Ramos-Roman
Wednesdays @ Lunch in B121
Hispanic Leadership Club (HLC) is committed to creating a positive student community by
supporting all students to excel in academics, athletics, and extra-curricular activities. The
HLC organizes activities throughout the school year to support cultural awareness and academic achievement among Hispanic students. Active HLC members receive SSL hours for
their time.
History Club
Scott Mendenhall
Homework
Marcus Wiggins & Saba Tesfayohannes Tuesdays & Thursdays @ 2:30-4pm in MC
The Homework Club is here to help support learning in all courses. If you want to be able to
ask a teacher a question about your homework, or if you just want a quiet space to do your
homework, come to the Media Center afterschool on Tuesdays. You must have your assignments and all necessary materials with you in the MC by 2:20pm.
D253
It’s Academic is a high school quiz competition that has aired on NBC-4 for the last 54 years.
Last year Blake became the first school in the show’s history to win four consecutive Washington Area Championships (best of 81 teams).In 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015, the team also
went on to win the Intercity Super Bowl Championship (best of 171 teams).
Literary Magazine: Melody
Amy Branson
Students gather to share and critique writing, discuss the craft of fiction, experiment with
writing prompts and story starters, and learn about upcoming contests for submission. Students review submissions for Blake’s online magazine for publication.
Model United Nations
Chris Danis
Hiking
Zac Cornell
Wednesdays or Fridays @ lunch in E264
The MUN club engages in an authentic simulation of the United Nations system by learning
about the UN system, the skills of debate, compromise, conflict resolution and negotiation.
MUN team members have fun learning about the workings of world diplomacy through the
lens of current events.
F173
We go on weekend hikes on local trails about once a month. Hiking club is a great way for
students to get out doors and in touch with nature by exploring local trails. This club allows
them to get a new perspective on their surroundings, helps them learn about their environment hands-on, while also giving them the opportunity to exercise.
Visual Arts
Anime Club
Frank Krach
Fridays @ Lunch in A103
In this club, we watch and discuss different genres of Japanese animated television. We also
do activities and play games related to anime, as well as learn about different aspects of Japanese culture.
Fashion / Costume Design
Katja Jimenez
@ Lunch in E165
This is a club for students that are interested in creating their own fashionable clothes and
costumes. Students are encouraged to share their creativity and express themselves
through fashion.
Fashion Xpressions
Katja Jimenez
Wednesdays @ Lunch in E165
Fashion Xpressions is a club that puts together a student run fashion show consisting of
student models and student designers that create their own clothing line. Each designer
creates an entire line of 12 pieces to showcase their own style and fashion sense. This club
culminates in an exciting fashion show in the Spring!
Photography
Melisa Matthews
A214
Greenhouse
Our mission is to bring our enjoyment of gardening to the Blake community. We use Blake’s
Greenhouse to grow flowers, herbs, and vegetables. Those plants are then donated to the
Blake community or sold as a way to sustain the club and fund the purchase of materials.
We spend our time at lunch planting seeds, transplanting seedlings into larger growing containers, or preparing for sale or donation events. Each year we plan one social event in
which we use some of our vegetables to make an edible treat for the club (salads, salsa, etc).
We welcome any donations such as potting or top soil, bulbs, or seeds to our cause!
Wednesdays @ Lunch in E270
History Club is dedicated to promoting interest, awareness, and appreciation for history. Any
student can attend a History Club meeting. In our weekly meetings we share our interest in
historical topics, discuss articles regarding historical events, watch documentaries and movies related to history, participate in history projects online, and explore careers in the historical field. The History Club also serves an outlet for students at Blake to participate in the
National History Day competition.
It’s Academic
Joe Caulfield
Greenhouse
Alyssa Bowlby, Melisa Matthews, Jordan Rowell
Thursdays @ Lunch in E163
The Blake High School Photo Club will work as a collective group to expand our knowledge
of photography and work individually, under the guidance of our sponsor, to build our photography portfolios. This is a club for students who want to take photos. The students are
the leaders for this group and work together to come up with fun and interesting opportunities to practice their artistic interests through taking photographs.
Theatre Publicity / Programs
Michel D’Anna
The Blake Stage company is always looking for students with an interest in publicity and
design. Students help to create posters and programs for our various theatrical productions.
Come talk to Mr. D’Anna if you are interested in working on these types of projects!
Academic
Service
Student Government Association (SGA)
Laura Fisher
Tuesdays & Thursdays @ Lunch in B123
Newspaper: The Blake Beat
Joseph Caulfield
The Student Government Association’s mission is to provide students of Blake High School
with the best possible Homecoming activities and experiences, raise money for in-school
community service projects and raise money for community charity organizations similar to
but not limited to Shepherd’s Table, campaign to provide an enriched high school experience. The SGA works in tandem with the Blake HS Leadership class to provide positive and
enriching community services experiences for all students.
Science
Erin Cheung
Superhero Club
Katie Kodan
The Superhero club is a group of students who combine their interest in superheroes and
community service. They get together to not only discuss their love of all things superhero
but work together to be superheroes to their community by organizing toy drives for kids at
Children’s Hospital, a shoe drive for charity and volunteering at Ben’s Run.
Technology
BlakeNET Web Team
Ted Pazulski
Wednesdays @ Lunch in B119
The BlakeNET Web Team is for any students interested in learning about web design. Students are given the opportunity to work on the Blake High School Web page. The mission of
the BlakeNET Web Team is to learn about the ever-changing web standards that guide the
development of web pages. In order to have real-life experiences, students can work on updating the Blake High School website.
Eubie TV
Susan Knott
C237
Experience the awesome “Eubie TV” and gain TV production skills.
Girls Who Code
Mary Simms
The Environment & Outdoors
Environmental Club
Jacklynn Sadeghi
@ Lunch in D251
The Blake Science club strives to promote and generate interest in many aspects of science.
The club is open to all students interested in science and gives students the chance to participate in exciting, hands-on science related activities. Science club provides an extracurricular opportunity for students to learn more about the subject than what they learn in the
classroom through conducting their own chosen experiments during bi-weekly meetings.
Slam Poetry Club
Christine Di Monte
Fridays @ Lunch in A211
The poetry club is open to all students at Blake High School that are interested in reading,
writing, listening, or performing poetry. We start most meetings with a free write and partner share. Then, we move on to performance pieces, discussion and critique. Students can
share their work or help others improve. It’s an amazing place for students to explore their
writer within.
Yearbook: Tempo
Sylvia Kim
A208 & D253
Students design, create, write, edit, publish, market and sell a yearbook for Blake High
School. In this class, students use computers, digital cameras, photo editing software and
design software as well as the Internet and social media. By the end of the year, students
will have created a yearbook that will inform the school community about the clubs, activities and sports available to students as well as providing an entertaining presentation of the
interests of the student body at this point in time.
Club Sports
Wednesdays @ Lunch in E260
The Girls Who Code Clubs program centers around a fun, collaborative, 40-hour Clubs curriculum designed to teach a wide range of skill sets through multilevel content. Projectbased modules include graphic art, video game design, mobile app development, and cryptography, and culminate in a final project of the girl’s choosing that will benefit her community. https://girlswhocode.com/
@ Lunch in C136
The Blake HS Environmental Club seeks to bring positive change to our community and the
world at large by applying the principles of Awareness, Action, and Appreciation to our relationship with the Environment. Members of the Blake High School Environmental Club
strive to incorporate safe environmental practices into their daily lives while acting as role
models for their peers. We seek to raise environmental awareness on campus by engaging in
social action to promote positive environmental change.
D253
The Blake Beat is our highly acclaimed and award-winning school newspaper. Students in
Journalism courses hold a variety of leadership positions within this student runnewspaper. http://www.theblakebeat.com/
Blake Community Ice Hockey Team
Ted Pazulski
Thursdays @ Lunch in B119
The Blake Community Ice Hockey Team is dedicated to the enjoyment of hockey. Students
get to meet to talk about trends in the sport and to practice the skills of a hockey player.
Students have an opportunity to be part of the Blake Community Ice Hockey team. For clarification purposes, the Blake Community Ice Hockey Team is not a part of the MCPS High
School Athletics program as either a varsity or junior-varsity sport. Our mission is to develop
the interests and skills of students who are passionate about the sport of hockey.
Blake Ski and Snowboard Club
Marcus Wiggins
B230
If you are interested in skiing and snowboarding, come and meet fellow enthusiasts!
Cultural, Religious, Political
Asian-American Culture Club
Beth Matcham-Shepherd
@ Lunch in B228
The Asian Culture Club teaches about the culture, food, languages and art of Asian Countries. We share and explore the way of life and philosophies in Asian countries. Culture is
rich and in every continent of the world. We aim to teach our club members to be understanding of all cultures, Asian or not. This club is open to all students of all cultures and
backgrounds. Our goal is to connect students and build bonds between members through
various social events.
Service
Cultural, Religious, Political
Black Student Union
Rachel Givens
Class of 2019
Venette Voundy
@ Lunch in F302
A club that provides a safe space for students of ALL races, ethnicities and backgrounds to
educate each other about issues affecting the black community with the intention to explore
solutions. The mission of the Black Student Union (BSU) at Blake High School is to promote,
celebrate and embrace the rich diversity and heritage of the African American and global
black community by: Building awareness, education and a new level of consciousness about
being black in today’s society; Teaching others about diversity and increasing political, social
and cultural differences and friendships between all people, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion or national origin; Helping students to develop effective leadership
skills and to serve as a positive influence in the academic environment of Blake High School.
Femme
Litonya Livingston
C137
Come and talk about issues around being a woman in todays world. Anyone is welcome to
join us!
Fuego Latino
Denise Ramos-Roman
Tuesdays & Thursdays @ 2:30-4pm in C133
Fuego Latino (Latin Fire), established in 2002, is a dance group formed by students working
together to represent the Latino community at James H. Blake High School in performing
traditional and popular dances. We participate in many activities throughout the year, such
as: dance competitions, school assemblies, International Night and other events. Events are
at Blake and in our communities. Everyone is invited to participate in this hard working
group. Our mission is to learn and demonstrate pride in Latin American culture throughout
many types of Latin dances, its history and origins. Being Latino is not necessary. Check
out our videos on YouTube by searching for “fuego latino Blake”.
International
International club is comprised of many different nationalities and cultures. Our mission is
to educate our students on different cultures as well as their roots of origin. We like to ensure our students are knowledgeable about their heritage and always remain proud of their
legacy.
Society 129
John Overman
@ Lunch in E269
Society 129 is a Christian organization lead by a group of students who want to see a significant change in their schools. We are making an impact by standing up for Christ and instilling boldness for the Kingdom of God into our generation The club title is based on 1 Peter
2:9 : But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. All are welcome.
Young Democrats
Chris Danis
@ Lunch in E264
The mission of the Blake Young Democrats is to collectively unite members of the Democratic Party within the Blake High School community. We will strive to educate future voters
about the events, issues, and structures of their political system. We have an open environment which allows students to voice their opinions, ideas, and beliefs. We enable and prepare young Democrats to be active leaders in the future and foster young Democrats into
respectable and beneficial members of society. We welcome students of all political persuasions. Come in and join the conversation. Currently looking for leadership.
Students have the opportunity to join together with others in their graduating class to establish a sense of community. This is done through planning and participating in both in-school
and out-of-school events. Sophomores work together to raise school spirit, reach out to the
community, and raise funds for important school events. Students interested in being involved with the sophomore class are invited to take advantage of the opportunity to develop
leadership skills while working closely with classmates.
Class of 2020
Kristian Kompare & Sara Elliott
Students have the opportunity to join together with others in their graduating class to establish a sense of community. This is done through planning and participating in both in-school
and out-of-school events. Freshman work together to raise school spirit, reach out to the
community, and raise funds for important school events. Students interested in being involved with the freshman class are invited to take advantage of the opportunity to develop
leadership skills while working closely with classmates.
Key
Cindy Gleason
@ Lunch in A103
Key Club is in international, student-led organization which provides the opportunity for
students to serve, build character, and develop leadership. Key Club assists Kiwanis International in carrying out its mission to serve the children of the world. High school students
of the Key Club perform acts of service in their communities, such as collecting clothing and
organizing food drives, organizing fundraisers, and volunteering in soup kitchens or elderly
homes. They also learn leadership skills by running meetings and planning projects.
Leo
Pamela Rowe
@ Lunch in E266
The Leo Club meets twice a month to organize and publicize volunteer opportunities (most of
which can count for SSL hours). In addition to service, Leo Club sponsors periodic socials
for the membership. Our mission is to provide members with an opportunity for development and contribution, individually and collectively, as responsible members of the local,
national and international community.
Men Of Blake
Anita O’Neill
Men of Blake is a mentoring program to service African American and Hispanic males. Mentors are paired with individual students to foster academic and personal growth.
Project Change
Bart Popeck
@ Lunch in G184
Project Change is a youth/adult partnership organization dedicated to promoting opportunities for youth to be engaged in, contribute to, and be satisfied members of their community
1. We believe that positive youth development is the key to a safe and healthy community 2.
We believe that effective partnerships are built on trust, consensus, and a collective belief in
a common purpose 3. We believe that giving back is a civic responsibility
Renaissance
Darlene Brown
Mondays @ Lunch in F304
Blake Pride: Student and Staff Recognition programs and activities that lift school spirit.
Renaissance will recognize the students with all A’s, Honor Roll, and Perfect Attendance.
Additionally, students who reach goals that may include raising their GPS by .5, or having
perfect attendance after numerous absences. Students and Staff will be recognized for going
above and beyond to help students or staff. We want to recognize and reward the many accomplishments at
Blake.
Performing Arts
Tap
Danielle D’Anna
Honor Societies
Tuesdays / Fridays @ Lunch in C146
The Tap Club will promote the discipline of tap dancing to educate students on different
forms of self-expression through rhythm. Our mission is to provide students with a place to
express themselves through movement and perform for the school to educate others on the
art of dance.
Theatre Costuming
Michel D’Anna
Students work on putting together costumes for the various theatre productions.
Service
Allies 4 Equality
Mary Wagner
Wednesdays @ Lunch in E279
Allies 4 Equality, Blake’s Gay-Straight Alliance, welcomes any student who is lesbian, gay,
bisexual, transgender, or questioning and their straight allies. Our meetings are student-run
with teacher support. Everyone’s privacy is honored and no one is asked to declare their
sexual orientation or gender identity, although anyone is welcome to share. What is said in
the meeting stays in the meeting. Our mission is to: Create a safe environment in our
school for students to support each other and learn about homophobia and other oppressions. Educate the school community about homophobia, gender identity and sexual orientation issues. Fight discrimination, harassment, and violence in our school and community.
Questions? Email us at [email protected]
Ambassador Program
Elizabeth Yargici
2nd Tuesday @ Lunch in AMP
By engaging, connecting, and uplifting our fellow students and the Blake community, Blake
Ambassadors serve as representatives of James H. Blake High School. Whether it is through
community engagement or active participation in a wide range of events, an Ambassador is
tasked with the duty of embodying Blake HS by demonstrating a behavior that reflects
Blake’s true values. Ultimately, through their admittance into this program, each individual
is committing to the upkeep of the spirit of the Blake community. Applications to the 20172018 Ambassadors will be available in May 2017.
Best Buddies
Judy Oppenheim
Fridays @ Lunch in G190
Best Buddies is an international organization centered on the idea of making friendships
and giving opportunities to people with disabilities. Our mission is for Blake students to
create friendships with the students with disabilities here at Blake.
Class of 2017
Erin Cheung
Provides students opportunities to get involved in school and community while gaining leadership skills though teamwork by achieving a common goal set forth as a class. Together as
a Senior class, we will further gain leadership skills in and outside of school while increasing
communication between community and student body, strive to increase spirit among fellow
classmates, promote ethical behavior, and be invested in the betterment/growth of our
selves, school and community.
Class of 2018
Sophia McMaster & Jennifer Gobrail
Students have the opportunity to join together with others in their graduating class to establish a sense of community. This end is met through planning and participating in both inschool and out-of-school events. Juniors work together to raise school spirit, reach out to
the community, and raise funds for important school events. Students interested in being
involved with the junior class are invited to take advantage of the opportunity to develop
leadership skills while working closely with classmates.
French Honor Society
Elizabeth Maione
@ Lunch in C133
The mission of the French Honor Society is to honor exceptional students of French and
promote the language and culture. This Society is for students of advanced French who have
studied the language at Blake for 2 years, have obtained an all-around GPA of 3.2 and a
GPA of 3.8 in their French classes at Blake. Students who continue in their studies of
French throughout high school and continue to earn earn a 3.0 higher in French will wear a
cord from the Société Honoraire de Français at graduation.
National Art Honor Society
John Overman
Wednesdays @ Lunch in E170
The purpose of the NAHS chapter at Blake be to inspire and recognize those students who
have shown outstanding ability in art; foster excellence and a dedicated spirit to the pursuit
of art; further creative abilities and talents of the Society’s members, as well as the school’s
entire student art enrollment; aid members in working toward the attainment of their highest potential in an art area; bring art to the attention of the school and community; increase
awareness of art in relation to other areas of the school curriculum; and further aesthetic
awareness in all aspects of the school’s total program.
National English Honor Society
James Gifford
Thursdays @ Lunch in B226
The National English Honor Society (NEHS) was founded and is endorsed by Sigma Tau Delta, the only national organization exclusively for high school students and faculty who, in
the field of English, merit special note for past and current accomplishments. Immediate
benefits of affiliation include national recognition, scholarship eligibility, and opportunities
for national networking with others who share enthusiasm for, and accomplishment in the
language arts. Membership is by application only.
National Honor Society
Jennifer Fribush & Katie Kodan
Monday @ Lunch in AMP
The purpose of the National Honor Society shall be to create enthusiasm for scholarship, to
stimulate a desire to render service, to promote leadership, and to develop character in the
students of James Hubert Blake High School. National Honor Society members must be in
the 11th or 12th grade, have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 unweighted or 4.0 weighted,
60 documented community service hours, demonstrated leadership and good character.
Spanish Honor Society
Denise Ramos-Roman
Every other Tuesday @ Lunch in B121
The Spanish Honor Society is for excellent students of Spanish who have met membership
criteria. It is by invitation only and you must attend the annual induction in May of each
year. Students participate in activities that promote the Spanish language and culture, and
assist in school and community activities.
Tri-M Music Honor Society
Eising/Cameron/Goldsmith/Zinkievich
1st Tuesday @ Lunch in D150
The Tri-M Music Honor Society is the international music honor society for high school students. It is designed to motivate and recognize musical achievements, acknowledge student
accomplishments and service activities, and to inspire other students to excel at music and
leadership. Tri-M strives to increase student and school involvement with music and to
strengthen and unify the school music program. Membership is by audition/interview only.
Performing Arts
Just For Fun
Bengal Pride Fan Group
Mike Schweizer
Blake Dance Company
Danielle D’Anna
F173
We plan on increasing fan involvement in and at events as well as promote Bengal Pride and
overall school spirit!
Comedy Club
Stephen Cain
Fridays @ Lunch in E265
This club allows students to write and perform their own stand up comedy routines. Gain
experience, get a few laughs and try out some new material.
Knitting
Amy Branson
@ Lunch in A214
Students and staff members new to knitting, novices and old pros gather together to learn
how to knit, work on their own pieces, and try out new knitting skills and patterns.
Skate
Stephen Cain
Thursdays @ Lunch in E265
Skate club is for all students who love skateboarding! Come and discuss techniques, share
and edit videos, and meet fellow Bengals with a passion for the art of skateboarding!
Thursdays @ Lunch in F173
Gaming club meets once a week to play tabletop games. Members bring their own games to
share with the club. Our mission is to provide a safe and fun environment for anyone to
problem solve, strategize, be creative, and be social. Popular games include: Magic the Gathering, Settlers of Catan, Dominion, and many more.
Tea Club
Elizabeth Jones
A207
This club is a safe place for people to share stories and have tea together. Students can
sample different teas and learn about the traditions of drinking tea. We ask members to
support the club by donating a box of tea for us all to share.
Performing Arts
The purpose of Bengal Dance Line is to give passionate dancers an opportunity to do what
they love while dancing next to the band.
Black Box / AUD
Students audition to be a part of our Fall and Spring Main stage productions. Students
interested in working back stage can work on set design and building, lights, and sound
with our professional Technical Director. See Mr. D’Anna or check out the website for audition and rehearsal details. http://www.blakestagecompany.org
Wednesdays & Thursdays @ 2:45-4pm in C146
This is a new dance club that teaches Bollywood dances. At our meetings we learn new Bollywood dances and culture. Optional Fridays at lunch time for rehearsals. Dance experience
is not necessary but commitment to practice and desire to perform at Blake events is the
calling card. This group is hoping to grow to outside community festival and performance
opportunities.
Childrens Theatre
Mary Wagner
Black Box
The Children's Theater Company puts together a show that is shared with our feeder Elementary schools and the children in our own Blake Community.
D148
The color guard offers instruction for all beginning, intermediate and advanced level members. Instruction will include movement basics, equipment basics on flag and rifle, performance observation and analysis, and basic design and choreography. Each day the students
will work on basic movement and equipment skills through fundamental studies and
through working on the repertoire for the current show production.
Forensics
Michael D’Anna
Tuesdays & Thursdays @ 2:30-4pm in Black Box
Forensics provides the opportunity for students to express themselves verbally by both preparing and presenting speeches, interpreting various types of literature, or performing theatrical pieces via Readers Theatre or Ensemble Acting presentations. Forensics builds confidence, the ability to verbally speak and express feelings, and explore the many different
forms of literature from interpreting comic pieces to dramatically interpreting all sorts of
stories in novels, stories, and plays. Our mission is to enable students to build their skills of
self-expression to other people while exploring a great variety of world literature and global
issues. Go to http://www.blakestagecompany.org and click on the “Forensics link” on the
left.
Hip-Hop
Danielle D’Anna
Bengal Dance Line
Gary Jean-Charles
Blake Stage Company
Michael D’Anna
Bollywood Bengals Club
Donna Iriarte
Color Guard
Scott Cameron / Jon Eising
Tabletop Club
Zac Cornell
C146
The Blake Dance Company is by audition only and is for upper classmen who are technically
proficient and have had experience with choreography. Students who wish to be a part of
this company must be advanced dancers with a minimum of 3-6 years of competitive training and are ready to move onto the next step in becoming a professional dancer/choreographer. Dance Company students will have the opportunity to compete their choreographic works for concerts and other opportunities. See Mrs. D’Anna in order to audition
and enroll in this course.
Fridays @ Lunch in C146
The hip-hop club provides a place for students to create choreography, learn choreography
and perform in the hip-hop style for Blake High School. We provide students with an outlet
for self-expression. The hip-hop club will study different styles of hip-hop and perform for
audiences.
Marching Band
Jon Eising / Scott Cameron
D148
This course is designed to give students the opportunity to participate in a corps style
marching band. Our goals are to teach team work, self-discipline, and develop higher level
thinking skills necessary to express one's self through music. The band performs at all varsity home football games as well as several community parades. Athletes are welcome - many
of our current members participate in other sports here at Blake.