Activities & Clubs

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Curricular Activities

AFJROTC

Besides the academic curriculum, the AFJROTC program offers after-school activities including drill team, color guard, and RAIDERS teams. By participating in these teams, cadets compete in organized events against other JROTC units in the tri-state region.

Requirements: Must be a cadet in the JROTC program.

How to join: Sign up through your Flight Commander during class.

FFA
FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success.
To accomplish its mission, FFA:

  • Develops competent and assertive agricultural leadership.
  • Increases awareness of the global and technological importance of agriculture and its contribution to our well-being.
  • Strengthens the confidence of agriculture students in themselves and their work.
  • Promotes the intelligent choice and establishment of an agricultural career.
  • Encourages achievement in supervised agricultural experience programs.
  • Encourages wise management of economic, environmental and human resources of the community.
  • Develops interpersonal skills in teamwork, communications, human relations and social interaction.
  • Builds character and promotes citizenship, volunteerism and patriotism.
  • Promotes cooperation and cooperative attitudes among all people.
  • Promotes healthy lifestyles.
  • Encourages excellence in scholarship

Requirements: Having Agriculture as a college major is preferred but not stictly required. FFA members who want to compete in State/National CDE’s or attend leadership training must be enrolled in at least one Agriculture class.

How to join: See Ms. Ferrucci or Ms. Hawkins

Karen Ferrucci karen.ferrucci@colonial.k12.de.us

Katie Hawkins katherine.hawkins@colonial.k12.de.us

 

WP Travel Abroad

The program will make students more aware of the world around them, with the hope of changing the way they think about their place in the world. 

Jeneane Coulter Jeneane.Coulter@colonial.k12.de.us

HOSA
The purpose of the HOSA organization is to develop leadership and technical HOSA skill competencies through a program of motivation, awareness and recognition, which is an integral part of the Health Science Education instructional program.

To view more information, go to hosa.org

Missy Slattery melissa.slattery@colonial.k12.de.us

WPMedia Club
The club studies photo and video aesthetics, camera techniques and practical uses of each medium in the professional industry. Students will spend part of the day learning about each of these areas and then going out to use this new knowledge in filming content.

How to join: Students may sign up in the advisor’s classroom. They may also attend a meeting at the beginning of the year.

Gary Phillips gary.phillips@colonial.k12.de.us

 

www.thewpmedia.comFacebook:  wpmedia1Twitter : @wpmedia2LinkedIn: wp-media
Instagram: wpmediadesign

Business Professionals of America
Business Professionals of America is a national organization composed of students from all over the world who are interested in the field of business. The mission of Business Professionals of America is to contribute to the preparation of a world-class workforce through the advancement of leadership, citizenship, academic, and technological skills. There are two conferences held each year: a State Leadership Conference and a National Leadership Conference where students are given an opportunity to compete against other business students in competitive events.
Requirements: The requirements are: you must be enrolled in a business or related business class.
How to join: Students may sign up in the advisor’s classroom. They may also attend a meeting at the beginning of the year.

French Club (WPFC)
French Club provides students with hands on, involved opportunity to explore and enjoy French language and culture. Activities are planned to allow students a chance to connect in a diverse and casual environment. Activities include watching French films, dining in ethnic restaurants, cooking French food, and other events of students’ interest. French Club also connects William Penn students with other high school students in France through a virtual program.

Requirements: Students will need to meet with the advisor for meetings, fundraisers and field trips.
How to join: Students will meet with the advisor or can contact the advisor through email or remind.

Madame Kayla Dickens Kayla.Dickens@colonial.k12.de.us

Educators Rising

William Penn has its own chapter of Educators Rising, a Career and Technical Education (CTE) program that allows students to continue their exploration of education as a career pathway.  Being part of our chapter will allow students to find a supportive environment of passionate students who are thinking about working in the field of education.  These students want to be agents of change.  Through Edu Rising, students will be able to network and attend both state and national competitions, allowing students a chance to prove themselves as both professionals and leaders.  Students will also be able to mentor younger Colonial students and learn what it is like to be part of the Power of We.

How to Join: Contact advisor(s) through email or Schoology message.

Sasha Huber Sasha.Huber@colonial.k12.de.us

Kimberly Bolden Kimberly.Bolden@colonial.k12.de.us

Science Olympiad

Science Olympiad competitions are like academic track meets, consisting of a series of 23 team events in each division. Each year, a portion of the events are rotated to reflect the ever-changing nature of genetics, earth science, chemistry, anatomy, physics, geology, mechanical engineering and technology. By combining events from all disciplines, Science Olympiad encourages a wide cross-section of students to get involved. Emphasis is placed on active, hands-on group participation. Through Science Olympiad, students, teachers, parents, principals and business leaders bond together and work toward a shared goal.

How to Join: Contact advisor(s) through email or Schoology message.

Lars Jensen Lars.Jensen@colonial.k12.de.us

Chris Wellborn

National Honor Society

NHS is a prestigious national organization that focuses on scholarship, community service, leadership, and character. Throughout the school year members complete community service projects.

Requirements: Juniors with a 3.35 GPA that demonstrate scholarship, community service, leadership, and character are invited in the fall of Junior year to apply for membership. Once a member of the NHS Chapter, students are expected to uphold the core four beliefs. Students continue to complete community service projects both in and out of school.

Latoya Kosh  latoya.kosh@colonial.k12.de.us

DECA

DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe. DECA enhances the preparation for college and careers by providing co-curricular programs that integrate into classroom instruction, applying learning in the context of business, connecting to business and the community and promoting competition. William Penn High School members leverage their DECA experience to become academically prepared, community oriented, professionally responsible and experienced leaders.

Requirements: DECA members must be enrolled in Business related courses.

How to join: If students are interested in joining DECA, they can attend a group meeting or contact the club advisor via email or Schoology message.

Danielle Conto-Miller  danielle.conto-miller@colonial.k12.de.us

Extracurricular Activities

Dance Troupe

Group of very talented & creative dancers who perform during homecoming events, Prom Fashion Show, Elementary and middle school pep rallies, and special events in the district. Practice sessions is held on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school.

Requirements: All students must maintain mininal grade average of 2.0 or better for all academic & elective classes for continue participation in this club. Students DIAA eligibility is checked each marking period.

How to join: Audition process held in September & January.

Sponsors:

Shana Bacon
Shana.Bacon@colonial.k12.de.us

Senior Class Committee

The Senior Class Committee is responsible for planning and implementing all the senior class activities for the entire school year.

Requirements: The requirements are: you must be a senior and have a grade point average of at least a 2.0 or better.

How to join: They must fill out an application obtained from the Senior Class Advisor.

Maria Berrios
Maria.Berrios@colonial.k12.de.us

Student Council

Student Council is a school-based organization that organizes and participates in volunteer services through the school and community.

Requirements: All students in grades 9-12 are welcome to participate in Student Council

How to join:
Students interested in joining Student Council should attend the meetings or contact the advisor.

Larry Fishman  lawrence.fishman@colonial.k12.de.us

GSA Club

Gay-Straight Alliance or Gender-Sexuality Alliance, is a student-led and student-organized school club that aims to create a safe, welcoming, and accepting school environment for all youth, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. The WPHS GSA has evolved beyond its traditional role of serving as a safe space for LGBTQ+, to a Club that unites LGBTQ+ and allied youth to build community and organize around issues impacting them in their schools and communities. Moving forward into a vehicle for deep social change related to racial, gender, and educational justice and development of the next generation of LGBTQ+ leaders.

The WPHS GSA Club created its mission and goals to meet the needs of its members and the unique climate of our school. The Club has incorporated into its goals—3 different directions, all of which directly impact LGBTQ+ youth.

Social — Students meet and connect with other trans and queer students on campus.

Support — Students work to create safe spaces and talk about the various issues they face in school or their broader communities, such as intentional and unintentional discrimination.

Activism — Students take a leadership role to improve school climate through campaigns and events that raise awareness and change policies or practices in their schools.

A growing body of research confirms that the presence of a GSA Club has a positive and lasting effect on student health, wellness, and academic performance. It can also protect students from harassment based on sexual orientation or gender identity, and improve school climates for all students in the long-term.

Barbara Winkler Barbara.Winkler@colonial.k12.de.us

Chess Club

Chess club is a great place to learn and advance your skills in the classic game.  All are welcome – whether you are a beginner or a seasoned player.  We offer a mix of friendly competition and learning skills to improve your mind in a fun & safe atmosphere.  Come check us out, mate!

Chess club motto:  We’re better than checkers club!

Requirements:  Fun-loving, willingness to learn chess, kindness towards opponents

Jon-Eric Burgess  joneric.burgess@colonial.k12.de.us

Yearbook Club
Be a part of history and join the Yearbook club! Our staff is run by students, for students. There are many roles that students can take part in, including leadership roles, design team, reporting team, photography and editing.
 
 
 

Student Hangout Group

Looking for a group to hang out with and play social strategy games in a safe environment?  Join the Student Hangout Group for Online Games!  All you need is an open zoom, your phone, a friendly attitude, and good sportsmanship.  Games will include Roblox Mini Games, Kahoot, Trivia, Jackbox games, Among Us, Puzzles, Sporcle, & Bingo. We generally meet on Thursdays from 3:30-4:30 PM.  To sign up, please message Ms. McNamara on Schoology for a link and details.
 

Philosophy Club

Students engage in deep discussions, thinking critically about the world and themselves.

Philosophy Club meets regularly on Thursdays at 2 pm via in-person and zoom options. Contact Dr. Capone to sign up for Remind messages and to join.

Dr. Andrew Capone  andrew.capone@colonial.k12.de.us

Students Serving Students Mentoring Club

Moving from Middle School to High School can be stressful for students. So many unknowns and so many questions. The Students Serving Students Mentoring Club aims to help answer some of those questions and make some of those unknowns known. High School students travel to our Middle Schools monthly to socialize with a small group of 8th graders (selected by their School Counselors). During those meetings, games are played and high school-related questions are asked and answered in a comfortable & intimidation-free setting. See Mrs. Handy-Hayes with questions about possibly joining SSS.

Rachel Handy-Hayes  rachel.handy-hayes@colonial.k12.de.us

Key Club

Key Club is a Charity organization that helps raise money and set up community events, the include Carnivals, our Annual Toy Drive, fighting against diseases such as Cancer and Type One Diabetes, and helping animals. Students can join by attending meetings.
 

Penn Players (School Plays) 

Penn Players puts on two drama productions each school year–one in November and one in March. Auditions for the November production are held in early September. Auditions for the March production are held in early January. Any student who is academically eligible and interested in acting may audition for these productions. (You do NOT have to be enrolled in a drama class to participate.)

Requirements: Penn Players is open to ALL William Penn High School Students who have an interest in performing and/or the technical side of theatre. Penn Players generally stages two dramatic productions per school year (one in the fall and one in the spring). 

How to join: Students interested in being in the cast (acting on stage) for Penn Players productions must audition. Auditions are held about 3 months prior to the performance dates for each production. An interest meeting is held about a week prior to auditions to provide students with background information on the play as well as the materials and guidance necessary for the audition. 

Click here for more info 

Stage Crew

The stage crew supports the Drama Department at William Penn by building sets for both the fall and spring productions and running the lights, sound, and managing the props for both productions. There are lots of opportunities to participate with the stage crew both during and after school. You could help build or paint the set, be a stage manager, or help with costumes and make-up for performances.

Requirements: All students in stage crew must maintain a passing average in all their courses in order to be eligible to participate.

Go to https://www.colonialssports.com/ for all Sports Information

Athletic Director: Matt Sabol matthew.sabol@colonial.k12.de.us 

Fall Sports

  • Football
  • Cheerleading
  • Cross Country
  • Field Hockey
  • Soccer- Boys
  • Unified Flag Football
  • Volleyball- Girls
  • Marching Band

Winter Sports

  • Basketball- Boys
  • Basketball- Girls
  • Cheerleading
  • Swimming
  • Track- Indoor
  • Unified Basketball
  • Wrestling

Spring Sports

  • Baseball
  • Golf
  • Lacrosse- Boys
  • Soccer- Girls
  • Softball
  • Tennis- Boys
  • Tennis- Girls
  • Track & Field
  • Unified Track & Field

View more information about Music Programs at Penn here: https://williampennmusic.weebly.com/

Curriculuar Ensembles

Advanced Steel Drums
A performance-based ensemble that teaches advanced steel drums skills while learning about the cultural and historical impacts of various world-percussion instruments.

Prerequisite:

  • Intro to Steel Drums OR
  • Middle School Steel Drum Experience OR
  • Instructor permission

John Sopkanich john.sopkanich@colonial.k12.de.us

Beginner Chorus
A choir that performs novice-level music while learning basic music concepts.

Requirements:

  • Female
  • No high school choral or limited sight-singing experience

Karla Bell karla.bell@colonial.k12.de.us

Concert Band
A performance-based ensemble that builds upon beginning instrumental and music skills to take students to the intermediate level.

Requirements:

  • Previous band experience preferred
  • For students who play or are willing to learn Brass, Woodwind, or Percussion Instruments only (strings are not included)

John Sopkanich john.sopkanich@colonial.k12.de.us

Concert Choir
Value: 1 Credit
Intermediate Choir performing traditional and popular music

Requirements:

  • 9th – 12th grade male students OR
  • 10th-12th grade female students with music teacher recommendation OR
  • 8th grade music teacher recommendation

Karla Bell karla.bell@colonial.k12.de.us

 

Intro to Steel Drums
A performance-based ensemble that teaches rudimentary steel drums skills while learning about the cultural and historical impacts of various world-percussion instruments.

John Sopkanich john.sopkanich@colonial.k12.de.us

 

Select Ensemble
Advanced Choir that performs acapella, Jazz, original compositions, and student arrangements

Requirements: Successful audition to the discretion of the instructor

Karla Bell karla.bell@colonial.k12.de.us

 

Wind Ensemble
A performance-based ensemble that builds upon intermediate instrumental and music skills to take students to the advanced level. The ensemble performs a difficult and varied repertoire and will provide musicians with the skills necessary to pass an audition (All-State, college, or otherwise).

Requirements: For students who play or are willing to learn Brass, Woodwind, or Percussion Instruments only (strings are not included, with the exception of Double Bass)

Prerequisite: 1 Year of Concert Band preferred AND Successful audition to the discretion of the instructor

John Sopkanich john.sopkanich@colonial.k12.de.us

 

Extracurriculuar Ensembles

Brass Choir

The Brass Choir is a student-run ensemble within the WP Music Department. Each member is hand-selected by the student director each year. They rehearse once a week and perform a variety of repertoire ranging from popular music, common practice music, etc. This group travels and performs to a variety of venues and festivals such as the Delaware Let’s Make Music Festival, Atlantic Coast Championships Instrumental Showcase, and much more. The ensemble is among one of the top in the school and is comprised of the top brass musicians from across the department. 

John Sopkanich john.sopkanich@colonial.k12.de.us

 

Gospel Choir

The William Penn High School Gospel Choir is open to any current William Penn student in grades 9-12. This student-led ensemble meets weekly and performs on and off-campus. William Penn Gospel Choir performs traditional, contemporary, and urban Gospel music. See Mrs. Bell for more information or to become a member. Membership is open to Gospel instrumentalists and vocalists.  

Karla Bell karla.bell@colonial.k12.de.us

 

Indoor Colorguard

The Visual Ensemble (more commonly known as Indoor Guard) is a competitive extracurricular music ensemble at William Penn High School. Visual Ensemble begins upon the completion of the Marching Band season in the fall and continues throughout the remainder of the school year. Visual Ensemble competes in Tournament Indoor Association competitions throughout the East Coast. Their competitive season ends with Atlantic Coast Championships Weekend in Wildwood, NJ. The ensemble permits entry to members upon audition. This ensemble designs a show to music being performed through the three aspects of Color Guard: dance, flags, and weapon.  The ensemble performs their show in an indoor space, most typically a gymnasium. Visual Ensemble is a proud, strong, successful, and ever-growing program, along with its brother program, the Winter Percussion.

John Sopkanich john.sopkanich@colonial.k12.de.us

Karla Bell karla.bell@colonial.k12.de.us

 

Indoor Drumline

The Winter Percussion (more commonly known as Indoor Drumline) is a competitive extracurricular music ensemble at William Penn High School. Winter Percussion begins upon the completion of the Marching Band season in the fall and continues throughout the remainder of the school year. Winter Percussion competes in Tournament Indoor Association competitions throughout the East Coast. Their competitive season ends with Atlantic Coast Championships Weekend in Wildwood, NJ. The ensemble permits entry to members upon audition. This ensemble designs a show just for percussion instruments (battery and front ensemble), and performs their show in an indoor space, most typically a gymnasium. Winter Percussion is a proud, strong, successful, and ever-growing program, along with its sister program, the Visual Ensemble.

John Sopkanich john.sopkanich@colonial.k12.de.us

 

Little Big Band

The Little Big Band is a student-run jazz chamber ensemble within the WP Music Department. Each member is hand-selected by the student director each year. They rehearse once a week and perform a variety of repertoire ranging from popular music, common practice music, etc. This group travels and performs to a variety of venues and festivals such as the Delaware Let’s Make Music Festival, Atlantic Coast Championships Instrumental Showcase, and much more. The ensemble is among one of the top in the school and is comprised of the top brass musicians from across the department. 

John Sopkanich john.sopkanich@colonial.k12.de.us

 

Jazz Ensembles

The WP Jazz Ensembles are competitive performance-based groups within William Penn High School. There are currently two Jazz Bands, Jazz II which is our intermediate group for developing musicians, and Jazz I which is our advanced group. Jazz I is highly competitive and does require an addition for participation and is the premier jazz ensemble of the Colonial School District. Jazz I became a competing ensemble in the Spring of 2016. While having performed in venues such as Loudis Recital Hall at the University of Delaware, and the Starlight Ballroom at the Wildwood Convention Center, the ensemble is high-rated and marveled by each audience who is able to experience the level of excellence and musicianship output by this ensemble.  Jazz II enjoyed its rather successful inaugural season in the Spring of 2019.

John Sopkanich john.sopkanich@colonial.k12.de.us

 

Marching Colonials

The WP Marching Colonials based out of New Castle, DE is the pride of #ColonialNation. The WP Marching Colonials strive for excellence. They begin working in May to prepare for the following school year. Periodically rehearsing through the summer, accompanied by various parades and community performances. All summer events lead up to the culminating two-week band camp. This band camp lasts two weeks which is when the marching colonials learn not one, but two productions for the year. The ensemble learns a show comprised of popular music for football games, and a show based around conceptual and thematic elements. This more advanced production is what the marching colonials perform on tour for competition. The Marching Colonials are comprised of 8th through 12th graders from four schools across the Colonial School District including George Read, McCullough, Gunning Bedford and William Penn. The ensemble is strictly extracurricular, so students commit and volunteer their time during evenings and weekends for the months of August through November.​The Marching Colonials have had the privilege of performing in venues across the east coast such as, MetLife Stadium, Hershey Stadium, University of Delaware, Millersville University, and Walt Disney World.

John Sopkanich john.sopkanich@colonial.k12.de.us

 

Sax Studio

The Sax Studio is a student-run ensemble within the WP Music Department. Each member is hand-selected by the student director each year. They rehearse once a week and perform a variety of repertoire ranging from popular music, common practice music, etc. This group travels and performs to a variety of venues and festivals such as the Delaware Let’s Make Music Festival, Atlantic Coast Championships Instrumental Showcase, and much more. The ensemble is among one of the top in the school and is comprised of the top brass musicians from across the department. 

John Sopkanich john.sopkanich@colonial.k12.de.us

 

Tri-M Music Honor Society

The Tri-M® Music Honor Society is the international music honor society for middle/junior high and high school students. It is 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.

John Sopkanich john.sopkanich@colonial.k12.de.us

 

Updated 12/22/2021