Advisor(s): Stephanie Baier

The mission of the Academic Team is to promote knowledge through competition and fun. The club participates in about 8-10 tournaments a year, which are all day events. Before each tournament the clubs will have 3 or 4 practices to prepare. For the 2018-2019 Team there are 24 members, with a core group of 20 who participate regularly. The club enters three teams of 4-5 players.

Advisor(s): Stephanie Baier

Advisor(s): Suzanne Alese

Art club is a place welcome to students in all grades and with all levels of ability. In art club students will develop their skills, techniques, and create artwork for their personal portfolios. As a member of art club students will also have the opportunity to collaborate with other artists on group projects and fundraisers. There are about 15-25 members of the Art Club. The club meets at least once per week during the lunch block or after school. Additionally, some students schedule time to work on art club related projects during their lunch, free periods, and afterschool.  

Advisor(s): Sarah Adams

Advisor(s): Emrah Ayhan

Advisor(s): Keriann Ekland

The Chess Club is designed to continue a tradition of competitive chess for Mountain Lakes and its youth. Chess evokes friendly competitive spirit, while also engaging the brain with an exhaustive workout of strategy and skill.

Advisor(s): Mukta Chandra

Advisor(s): Stephanie Baier

The Cooking Club at MLHS is designed to show students that healthy foods do not have to taste like cardboard. In the Cooking club, we are striving to create healthier alternatives to classic favorites. You still indulge without having to feel guilty. Come join us and learn how easy it is to cook and enjoy what you are eating. Your stomach will thank you. There are around 35 students enrolled in this club, with about 5-10 students consistently attending meetings.

We usually meet twice a month on Mondays. The highlights from this school year include "Movie Night" that took place on February 17th. The goal for the rest of the school year is to teach high school students how to cook and how to make healthier choices.

Advisors: TBD

Advisor(s): Steven Feltmann

The mission of the club is to improve writing skills (short stories, poetry, screenwriting etc…) and collaborate with peers, using themes and structured tasks, to enjoy the process of writing. There are about 10 students enrolled in the club. The club meets once every 2 weeks (after school).

Ms. Seibert states the goals for this year are to “improve in areas of writing poetry, short stories, songwriting and screenwriting. We are going to try new ways of writing and getting constructive criticism. Students will PRACTICE new areas of writing consistently for improvement. It is critical that we increase interest for new members to join the club (posters, the Mountaineer, virtual backpack, the Phoenix, announcements, Coffeehouse readings).”

Advisor(s): Keriann Eklund

Advisor(s): Paul Sidhu

Advisor(s): Judy Kolek

The mission of Entrepreneur is to promote an understanding of and interest in business and entrepreneurship. There are about 60 students enrolled in this club. The club meets every other Tuesday night from 7-8 pm in the Media Center.

Advisor(s): Paul Sidhu

Advisor(s): David Sica

The goal of this group is to get more students involved in the incredible sport of fishing. We want to show students that fishing is fun and a great way to get outdoors. We also double as a regular donor to the Heroes on the Water Organization; a group that takes veterans kayak fishing. There are currently 25 students enrolled and we are hoping to expand to a group larger than 50.

In the fall we typically meet twice to just get a general headcount and discuss our mission statement as well as goals for the rest of the year. In the winter we are relatively dormant due to sports conflicts and the fact that cold weather is not optimal for fishing. However, we do try to set up an annual ice fishing tournament/fundraising event if it’s cold enough and the ice is thick. Date is TBA.

In the spring we host two weekend tournaments/fundraisers because the fishing becomes really good towards the latter half of the year. Dates are TBA

Advisor(s): Doug Merritt

The Mountain Lakes High School Debate team provides an excellent opportunity for students who are interested in current events, philosophy, and political/social policies to learn the art of civil discourse and discussion in a structured format through participation in individual Lincoln Douglas debate or team Public Forum debate. Specifically, the mission of the debate program is to develop active listeners and intellectually competent interlocutors who are capable of understanding and constructively discussing all sides of important civic issues. This mission is accomplished through participation in debate tournaments in which the MLHS debate team competes with other high schools in the NJ/NY region. Mountain Lakes High School debaters take their case preparation seriously, do their best to represent Laker Pride at tournaments, and provide an inclusive and welcoming community to other debaters at MLHS. By preparing for and engaging in debate tournaments, Debate Club members will learn how to:

• Develop team working skills
• Understand all sides of an argument
• Experience new points of view
• Research current issues and events
• Write cases with strong contentions, claims, warrants, links, and evidence
• Defend and attack positions persuasively using logic and evidence
• Engage in public discourse with a polished and professional style
• Deliver speeches and responses spontaneously

Advisor(s): Ryan Humphreys

The club’s mission is to improve public speaking skills by preparation for and participation in National Catholic Forensics League (“NCFL”) competition events. There are about 10-15 students in the club. Although the club does not traditionally meet, the students who are preparing for competition schedule 1-on-1 practice sessions with Mr. Hoffman, typically 1-2 times per week per student in the week or two leading up to a tournament. The Club highlights and/or accomplishments from last year were:

1. MLHS was represented by at least two Speech competitors at each of the six NCFL tournaments.
2. Two students advanced to tournament finals in at least one tournament.

Mr. Hoffman states that the goal for this year is to “increased student participation!”

Advisor(s): Ryan Humphreys

The main purpose of the French Club is to promote enthusiasm among students for the French language and culture and to provide students with a friendly but serious way to approach a new language. Because of the club's interest in French culture, involvement in the French Club also encourages exploration of the francophone world. In addition to the many activities held by the club each semester, students will also have the opportunity in their French classes to write to pen-pals in France . This type of interaction enables greater understanding and appreciation of each other's culture.

Among some of the many activities sponsored by the club are films and going to Broadway shows. In the past few years, our French Club has gone to Broadway to see Les Misérables and Phantom of the Opéra. At some point, we hope to visit the United Nations as well as the Metropolitan Museum to see impressionist paintings studied in French classes. In addition to National French Week in November, our objective is to share French/Francophone culture with our school community throughout the year. There are about 20 students in the club. The group meets once a month(sometimes after school, sometimes in the evening).

Advisor(s): Pia Garate-Gomez

Advisor(s): David Sica

The mission of the GSA is to create a safe space for individuals in the LGBTQ+ community and their allies at MLHS as well as the fostering of acceptance for all individuals regardless of sexual orientation, gender, etc. The club’s activities will all aim to cultivate alliances across all grade levels and amongst students with diverse backgrounds. There are about 35-40 students that regularly participate in this club. The GSA does not have a set meeting schedule.

Advisor: TBD

Advisor(s): TBD

Advisor(s): Begona Rodriguez

Advisor(s): Cara Pelchat

The mission of this club is for students to learn the fundamentals of the stock market investment through participation in online competition. The website that provides the competition, PersonalFinanceLab.com, also provides educational modules, and club members are incentivized to complete these. Mr. Hoffman was a former investment professional, and supplements meetings with simple introductory lectures on investment terminology and fundamentals. There are roughly 10 members. The club meets 1-2 times a month, primarily in the evening. 

Advisor(s): Paul Sidhu

Advisor(s): Mary Piasecki and Paul Sidhu

The purpose of the Laker Film Club is to introduce students to video production and the different aspects of film as well as what goes into creating a movie. The club will also encourage students to write scripts that will be made into films by the club. This is a fully student run club, students are going to be making films, by students for students. Genres range from fantasy to syfy to non-fiction and everything in between. If you can write it, we can make it! Laker Film Club isn't just about film production, however, as we will often be watching movies and then discussing what we liked, didn't like and what we can put into our own films. We will also be submitting all the films we make to film festivals across the country! There are about 10 students in the film club. 

Advisor(s): Patrick Butler

Lets Erase The Stigma raises awareness for mental health and wellness within the student community and focuses on releases the stigma around mental illness. There are about 60 members currently enrolled in this club. The club meets 1-2 times per month around 6:30 pm. 

1. Wellness Week
2. Pop-sock-it fundraiser for NAMI

Advisor(s): TBD

Advisor(s): Begona Rodriguez

Advisor(s): Diana Novachevska

Advisor(s): Emrah Ayhan

Advisor(s): TBD

The mission of Model United Nations for students to become more involved in their role as global citizens. Through this process, students will be honing their public speaking skills by participation in the annual Model UN symposium. There are about 30 members for this clubs. The club meets 2-3 times per month.

Advisor: Richard Ziccardi
 

The Mountain is a MLHS newspaper that reflects the concerns and interests of the student body, while advocating for student involvement by creating a platform for student writers. The Mountaineer currently has 7 editors and 15 active staff writers. The club meets once a week (Wednesdays after school) and twice a week on publishing dates (Wednesday and Thursday after school). The Club highlights and/or accomplishments from last year were: Students’ handling of complex articles concerning issues in the school district.

Advisor(s): Tania Seibert

The Mountaineer

Advisor(s): TBD

Advisor(s): Michael Schutz

The E. W. Anibal Chapter of the National Honor Society

Mountain Lakes High School is home to the E. W. Anibal Chapter of the National Honor Society. Selection for membership in the local chapter of the National Honor Society is determined by a Faculty Council and is based upon a student's demonstration of outstanding scholarship, character, leadership, and service. Once selected, members must continue to demonstrate these qualities and take an active role in chapter activities and service efforts.

More information regarding the selection process for the E. W. Anibal Chapter of the National Honor Society is available HERE.

When are students eligible?

The candidacy form is subject to small revisions from year to year, so we do not publish a copy. However, eligible students are provided an opportunity to complete and submit a candidacy profile upon eligibility. Students with a GPA of 3.65 after 10 quarters of high school (midway through junior year) are eligible.

Who can apply?

Students who are applying should have completed at least 25 hours of service/volunteer experience prior to application. These hours do not include the 15 hours of service required as part of the grade 10 social studies course of study. In addition, students who anticipate selection should have an excellent record of behavior in school and should have consistently demonstrated the highest level of academic integrity. Students seeking selection should also carefully consider whether they have a desire to follow through on the obligations of membership. Membership does not bestow any benefit beyond the opportunities available for service and the growth intrinsic to those experiences.

What does membership entail?

Members of the E. W. Anibal Chapter are required to fulfill the responsibilities of membership including service efforts throughout the year. These activities include acting as hosts and guides in the high school for Back to School Night, the Graduation Ceremony, Open House events, and other school and district events. Members serve as tutors in the high school and promote academic excellence in the district by serving as mentors and reading partners at Briarcliff and Wildwood. Finally, members take an active role in service projects outside of our district.  We are always seeking additional avenues of service in Morris County and the surrounding communities.

Peer leadership is committed to providing leadership for the Mountain Lakes High School community through student directed activities and programs which foster a positive learning and social environment. There about 60 students selected for this program. This leadership group meets in August for Peer Leader Training, and there are roughly 5 meetings with Freshman groups throughout the school year. There is a midyear Peer Leader training as well as executive board meetings as needed. Some of the Club/Activity highlights and/or accomplishments from last year are: 

1. Freshman Orientation
2. The Mykee Fowlin Presentation
3. Week of Respect activities
4. Change for Change Fundraiser
5. Freshman Field Day
6. Freshman Picnic

Advisor(s): Jason Doniloski and Jennifer Suarez

The Phoenix has been developed and designed to showcase the creative talent from all communities here at Mountain Lakes High School. We are also a club that allows students to organize and create an authentic published magazine, complete with all the design, deadlines and difficulties that accompany that task! This is the only club activity available for aspiring Graphic Designers to produce their own authentic publication. The Phoenix also gives our creative writers and illustrators a chance to publish their work. There are about 8 students in the club. At the present time, the student members are making decisions and creating a writing contest through Canvas. As some sports activities come to a close, afternoon meetings are easier.

Advisor(s): TBD

The mission of the Politics Club is for students interested in current, controversial political topics to engage with each other, persuade and learn opposing viewpoints.

Most regular meetings attract 12-18 students. Four seniors have taken on responsibility as club leaders, arranging meetings, deciding on topics, providing links to information resources in advance of the meetings, and moderating discussions at meetings.

The club meets about once per month, for one hour after school.

Advisor(s): Mark Hoffman

The mission of the Robotics Club is to compete in the First Robotics League. There are roughly 10-15 students that participate in this club. The group meets on Tuesday and Thursdays after and before school in Mr. Merritt’s room. Robotics continues to gain popularity amongst the MLHS students and Team 10788 placed second in the first meet of the 2018-2019 school year. Mr. Merritt states that the goal of this year is for “MLHS Robotics to advance to the State Championships!”

Advisor(s): Douglas J. Merritt

The Science Olympiad Team is for students interested in STEM to compete academically in the New Jersey Science Olympiad Tournaments, at both the Regional and (hopefully) State levels. There are 15 students on the roster. The group meetings on Mondays from 2:45-3:30 pm in Room 174.

Advisor(s): John Scancarella

Advisor(s): Michael Petrucelli

Advisor(s): Alexis Urriola

Advisor(s): Begona Rodriguez

The mission of the Spanish Club is to Appreciate the culture of the Spanish-speaking world and encourage as many people as possible in the school to participate. This is achieved through events like salsa dancing lessons, empanada cooking contests, Day of the Dead celebrations, Kahoot culture quiz tournaments etc. Learn about problems facing Spanish-speaking countries today and raise money/awareness for organizations that are helping. This altruistic aspect of Spanish Club is to make sure that we are doing what we can with our knowledge of Spanish culture from school to make a difference in the world. Spanish Club will achieve this goal by researching organizations, fundraising, inviting speakers (ex. concerning Mexican immigrants), and outreaching to other Spanish Clubs. There are about 50 students in the Spanish Club.

Advisor(s):  Begoña Rodríguez

The Mountain Lakes High School Student Government Association serves as the
voice of the student body as a whole and focuses on ensuring a positive school
climate and helping MLHS to the best of its ability. There are currently 24 members in the SGA. The SGA meets monthly as well as when needed during the school day (on a rotating schedule of periods so that members don’t miss the same class repeatedly).

Advisor(s): Mary Piasecki

Advisor(s): Diane Geveke

The Mountain Lakes High School Theatre Department is proud to provide onstage and backstage experience to students in grades 9 through 12. Our department produces two fully staged productions, as well as an extracurricular club.

For more information, including news, announcements and details about our current season, VISIT OUR WEB SITE HERE! 

Advisor(s): Mark Hoffman

The Volleyball Club is designed to provide an opportunity for all students to competitively play volleyball against each other, foster their skills, and develop a community focused around teamwork. There are about 30 students in the club. The club meets in the Fall and Spring time on Tuesdays from 7-8 pm in the MLHS Main Gym. The early club highlights and/or accomplishments from this Fall were the consistent and promising participation amongst the student body. 

Advisor(s): TBD

Advisor(s): Jennifer Suarez

The MLHS Yearbook club is a place welcome to highly self-motivated, detail oriented students in all grades. In addition to learning about photography and design, yearbook students become better communicators and stronger leaders. They meet real-world deadlines, deal with significant budgets and produce the only permanent record of the school year. Creating a yearbook is “authentic assessment” since day one and the book itself is a “performance portfolio.” Producing a yearbook teaches students emphasis on research, reflection, revision, critical thinking, collaboration, communication and creativity.

There are about 10-20 students in this club. The entire staff group meets at least once per month during the lunch block or afterschool. The editorial board meets more ads needed to plan for content creation and manage deadlines. Additionally, the student staffer’s and editors use an online platform (hjedesign.com) to create the yearbook, many staffers work from home on the yearbook outside of the school day, the site has a message board and electronic sticky notes for members to collaborate on pages, and for the advisor and editors to provide feedback. The editors and myself also meet with a publishing representative from Herff Jones and various photographers, and our sales and customer service reps from Lors several times throughout the year.

Advisor(s): Sarah Adams