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.
Sponsors: Major Michael steven.michael@colonial.k12.de.us
Digital Media Club
Students enrolled in the Digital Media Program or have a strong interest in Digital Media pursue advanced topics and support the school and community with Web Design, Video projects, and animation.
Requirements: Enrolled in Digital Media or have a strong interest and maintain a 2.0 GPA or better.
How to join: See Mr. Hendry in Room S-207 to apply.
Michael Hendry michael.hendry@colonial.k12.de.us
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 Mrs. Pickard – room W-100
KathleenPickard kpickard@colonial.k12.de.us
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.
Keri Young Keri.Young@colonial.k12.de.us
Forensics and Debate
Forensics and Debate allows for William Penn students to develop skill sets in the areas of public speaking, debate, literary interpretatoin and original literary composition. Forensics and Debate is a competitive team, engaging in tournaments around the Greater Delaware Valley. William Penn students will encounter students from other school, throughout the year in competitive categories of poetry, prose, dramatic and humorous interpretation, extemporanteous speaking and several debate categories. Forensics and Debate is an extracurricular that is well respected by colleges and universities as an activity that develops higher order thinking and communication skills in students.
Requirements: Students will need to meet with the coach for practices, fund raisers and competitions.
How to join: Students will meet with the coach or can contact the coach through email.
Frank Lusch Francis.Lusch@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.
Jordan Hudson Jordan.hudson@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 miminal grade average of 2.0 or better for all academic & elective classes for continue participation in this club. Students DIAA eligilibilty is checked each marking period.
How to join: Audition process held in September & January.
Sponsors:
Helen Anderson Helen.Anderson@colonial.k12.de.us
Shana Bacon Shana.Bacon@colonial.k12.de.us
Jazz Choir
This small singing ensemble is a mixed vocal jazz ensemble. They rehearse before school twice a week and sometimes after school. They must audition for this ensemble.
Requirements: They must audition for this ensemble at the beginning of the year and they must be eligible.
How to join: There is a sign up sheet in the beginning of the year and an audition time.
Karla Bell karla.bell@colonial.k12.de.us
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.
Michael Renn Michael.Renn@colonial.k12.de.us
Ragtime Dolls
This choir activity is for any female who loves to sing and have fun making music! The Ragtime Dolls perform at the annual Winter and Spring Concerts and at various community functions.
Requirements: There are no requirements for this activity except a love for singing and learning and eligibility.
How to join: There is a sign up sheet in the beginning of the year for interested students.
Karla Bell Karla.Bell@colonial.k12.de.us
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 producations. 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.
How to join: To join stage crew please contact Catherine Rounsley-Maxwell in room E202 or Melanie Bowditch in room C202.
Kimberly Davis Kimberly.Davis@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 Ms. Young.
Keri Young Keri.Young@colonial.k12.de.us
Marching Colonials
The William Penn Marching Colonials is comprised of musical athletes who are passionate about furthering the marching arts through innovation in performance. The ensemble has a long history of performing at parades, in the stands at football games, and an elaborate themed show at halftime and marching band competitions. The colorguard is an important visual component of the marching band, and there is no prior experience required to join. Colorguard students learn fundamentals of dance, as well as spinning flags, sabres, rifles and other equipment.
Requirements: Members are expected to: 1. Attend all rehearsals and performances (including BAND CAMP in August) 2. Maintain sports eligibility status 3. Prior instrumental music study recommended for winds and percussion 4. No experience is required to join the color
How to join: Current and potential members MUST attend the spring marching band informational meeting. This year’s meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 20 6:30pm-8:30pm in the auditorium at William Penn. Please contact Mr. Moore if you would like to receive addition
Michael Archer Michael.Archer@colonial.k12.de.us
Percussion Ensemble
The Percussion Ensemble is a competitive group comprised of students who primarily study percussion as well as non-percussion students. The instrumentation of the ensemble varies, but is composed of the front ensemble (mallet keyboards, synthesizer, guitars, and various drums), as well as the marching battery (snare, tenors, bass drums and cymbals). The group performs in custom uniforms in gymnasiums on a performance tarp that is painted to fit the theme of the show.
Requirements: Students are expected to: 1. Attend all rehearsals and performances 2. Maintain sports eligibility status 3. Instrumental music experience (particularly in percussion) recommended, but not required.
How to join: There will be an informational meeting sometime this coming November at the end of the Marching Colonials season. Please contact Mr. Moore for more information and visit our website at www.wphsbands.com. Email: cmoore@colonial.k12.de.us Phone: (302) 32
Michael Archer Michael.Archer@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.
Helen Anderson Helen.Anderson@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 see Ms. Compello in the N-2 staff center to pick up an application.
Kathryn Strouss Kathryn.Strouss@colonial.k12.de.us