Clubs and Activities
Academic Decathlon: A yearly competition in which nine students represent the school.Three students from each grade level (A, B,C) compete in a series of tests including Math, Geography, Economics, Science, Essay, and Speech.AFS: American Field Service Club promotes global understanding by giving Venice High School students the opportunity to interact with foreign exchange students from around the world. Venice High has had an active AFS chapter since 1961. The club also helps interested and willing students to actually become an exchange student in other countries.
Anime Club: A club that appreciates all forms of Japanese animation art, from "manga" to "anime." Meets Thursdays and Fridays in room 10 for screenings of Japanese animation.
BBFA: The Bilingual Business and Finance Academy is a school within a school that prepares students for careers in business and language fluency in English and Spanish. The Academy has been designed as a three year program, allowing the student an opportunity to explore career possibilities in the areas of business, management, banking, and world trade, while at the same time developing strong communication skills in both English and Spanish.
BSU: The Black Student Union is a club that teaches people about black culture and about black history. The Black Student Union is open to all races and cultures.
Chatelaines & Esquires: A Junior Class service organization whose members devote their time each week working in various offices or tutor fellow peers. By helping out once a week, members work towards completing the required 16 hours (per semester) of service work. Members also volunteer on a Saturday, for a school clean-up day. Chatelaines and Esquires also host a Teacher Nutrition in appreciation of teachers and the work that they do.
Chinese Club: An organization for students to learn more about the Chinese culture. The organization was created in 1990 by Mrs. Huang, who is the club sponsor. Each year, a banquet is held at a Chinese restaurant where the club members have fun and get to sample the different Chinese dishes.
Choral Music: The vocal groups of the Music Department consist of the woman's chorus, men's chorus, and the Allegros. Musical performances this year included Pepperdine University, House of Blues in Hollywood, Homecoming Parade, holiday performances in the community, Woman's clubs, The Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, and Channel 52.
Christian Club: A place where students get together and talk with one another about issues in which they may or may not believe. The Christian Club welcomes all people on our diverse campus. The purpose of this club is to provide an open atmosphere and forum for those interested in Christian fellowship, charities, bible study, political awareness, peer counseling, and prayer.
Drill Team: The Venice High Drill Team is composed of dedicated and spirited members. The group meets daily during period 6. Each member receives five elective or PE credits for participation. They spend much of their spare time practicing for future events.
Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA): A club that melds Christian beliefs with their dedication to team sports.
Flag Team: The Venice Flag Unit practices during 6th period on a daily basis and occasionally after school. Each group member receives five elective or PE credits for participation. Flags perform with the Band and Drill Team during the football half-time shows, pep rallies , and other athletic events.
French Club: Comprised of students who share common interests in the French lifestyle. French activities features attendance at French speaking films and plays, potluck lunches, and a Christmas banquet where several students prepared the Bush de Noel, a traditional French pastry.
Friends of the Library: Established to help and support the school library. The members work during lunch and nutrition helping out Venice students to find books, look up information, and answer as many questions as they could. Book sales help fund the club and library.
Gondolier: Art Production AB, also known as the Gondolier Yearbook Staff, meets daily in Bungalow 9 during period 6. Additionally, publication of the yearbook is demanding and participation includes many hours outside of class. Staff members learn to design layouts, write copies for article text, and picture captions as well as strategize the selling of advertisements.
Graphic Arts: The Graphic Arts Production Class is run like a regular Graphic Arts/Printing Company. The class meets daily during periods one and two. The teacher, Mr. Lindauer, acting as a manager takes in job orders from the school and community sources. The students then produce the jobs from start to finish in class.
Japanese Club: A club that provides students an opportunity to further their understanding of the Japanese language and culture. To have an understanding of international relations between Japan and other countries of the world, is another goal of the club.
Journalism: A class which meets during period four, to produce the school paper, The Oarsman. The Oarsman, which has undergone numerous changes since its first publication in the 1920's, is a high quality publication which the journalism students produce with great pride and an enormous sense of tradition. In doing so, the students learn the art of interview, writing and reporting, and well as the computer skills used to layout the paper.
JSA: The Junior Statesman of America holds weekly debates concerning the most pressing issues of today. The members practice speaking in front of an audience, exercising the right of freedom of speech, and hearing their peers' opinions on political issues. JSA also attends Spring State. Spring State is a convention where the state members meet with the Venice JSA chapter to debate issues and have thought talks.
Knights & Ladies: A senior honors service organization who are chosen by a committee to represent and serve Venice High. Their duties include volunteering time to work in the student store, working on Saturday Clean-up days, and community events. Each year they participate in a Christmas gift exchange and a spring Easter egg hunt with McBride Elementary School, for the physically and mentally challenged.
Korean Club: This club started in 1996, and provides an opportunity for other students to experience the Korean culture. There were several outside activities to give students an insight into the Korean heritage.
Leadership: Also known as student council, a group of young men and women who are elected officers and leaders. Leadership organizes school-wide activities on campus and promotes school spirit. The class meets everyday during second period and works with the administration and teachers.
Marching Band: The rebuilding of the Venice High School Music Program continued in 1996-1997 thanks to Mr. Burch and the leadership of the band members. The band attends all the football games, playing in the stands, taking the field for opening ceremonies and Half-Time Shows. In addition the band plays at sever basketball games. The band schedule for the year also include other school functions like pep rallies, assemblies, and school concerts.
MESA: Math Engineering Science Achievement is an organization of foster science and math-based careers among under-represented ethnic groups. Venice High MESA is one of the originals in the county and the oldest chapter in Los Angeles. MESA is located on many university campuses across the country. MESA is sponsored by USC. During weekly meetings, guest speakers from industries and colleges advise students.
Oak Grove Council: The Oakgrove council plans a human relations camp held once each semester. The objective is to givens students, from many different backgrounds a chance to express and discuss their personal feeling and opinions. Students engage in problem solving, team building, cooperative learning, and assertive behavior exercises. Oakgrove Camp, a Venice tradition since 1972, has been a new and successful experience for many Venice students.
Outdoors Club: Meets Wednesdays during lunch at room 223. The club goes on outdoors trips, such as mountain climbing, hiking, and sailing. The club ROCKS! (climbing that is).
PCC: The Peer College Counselors assist and inform Venice seniors in their college search. They raise the seniors' awareness of the importance of preparation of college applications in a timely fashion. PCC assist seniors with their financial aid forms and scholarship opportunities. The PCC class is a two-semester commitment for elective class credit.
Peer Counseling: Chosen students are trained in techniques that promote confidence, confidentiality, and serious reflection. Venice High Peer Counselors help students at Venice and neighboring junior high and elementary schools who feel the need to confide in someone who is not an adult. Peer counseling is a program where students are trained in basic counseling techniques such as questioning, listening, and clarifying.
Play Production: A talented performing arts group who recite their monologues, act out their skits in class, and perform plays, one in the Fall and one in the Spring Semester.
World Wildlife Defenders: Meets on Wednesdays in room 246, the club focuses their efforts on wildlife preservation through understanding of eco-concepts and participation in service work and volunteerism.
Youth & Government: A program in which members learn how government actually works and how laws get passed. Students attend a week long program in Sacramento as a Mock Legislature and Court. this YMCA based program gives students from all over California a chance to be a lawyer, senator, an assembly member, or run for an elected office.
If you are a sponsor or member of a club and you find that your club is not listed above, please drop a note in Mr. Uy's box in order to keep the list current.
