BANNEKER EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

An important aspect of Banneker's education is involvement in school clubs and other extracurricular activities. These allow students to explore and develop interests and talents outside the classroom. New clubs are added as students express an interest in having them. Colleges seek students who have demonstrated involvement in activities outside the prescribed curriculum, along with academic achievement. Students must maintain a 2.0 average to participate in club activities.

ALPHA GAMMA PHI
The Benjamin Banneker Academic Senior High School Chapter of Alpha Gamma Phi Junior Fraternity's mission to create a sense of brotherhood and unity among the young men at Banneker. Principles: The principles of the Benjamin Banneker Academic SHS Chapter of Alpha Gamma Phi Junior Fraternity include -- Respect, Responsibility, Scholarship, Ingenuity, Unity, Integrity, Valor, Determination and Humility. Membership: Requires a minimum of a 2.0 GPA, (with the understanding that the GPA must improve) and good standing in Community Lab.

Sponsor:            

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
This club learns about human rights violations, both in the U.S. and around the world. Students have participated in action projects, such as protesting against police brutality in Prince George's County, letter writing to express opposition to mistreatment of women in Afghanistan, and attending the Conference Against Racism in South Africa. Students from all grades are welcome.

Sponsor: Mr. Mahoney

ART CLUB
This club meets in Room 106 after school Tuesdays and Thursdays. Activities include painting, drawing, making murals and completing special projects throughout the building. All students are welcome to attend.

Sponsor:

ATHLETICS
Varsity Girls' Soccer, Boys' Varsity Soccer, Varsity Coed Cross-country and Varsity Girls' Volleyball are offered in the fall. Varsity Coed Tennis, Varsity Coed Outdoor Track, and Varsity Girls' Softball are offered in the spring. The winter sports are Junior Varsity Girls' Basketball, Junior Varsity Boys' Basketball, and Indoor Coed Track. Students may also join other sports (not offered at Banneker) at other schools, with administrator's permission.

Sponsor: See Ms. Berger for the coach of a particular athletic activity

BOOK CLUB
This club will meet for the first time on Tuesday, October 7 at 11:30 a.m. in room 306. All students are welcome to attend. Bring your favorite book to share.

Sponsor: Ms. Dannebom

CHEERLEADERS
Cheerleaders add spirit to certain assemblies and support our teams, including the It's Academic team on television.

Sponsor: Ms. Forman

CHESS CLUB
If you enjoy playing chess, or would like to learn how to play, come to Room 007 during the lunch period. The first meeting of the club will be the first Monday in October. Play instruction will be provided, beginning then

Sponsor: Mr. Moore

CHOIR CLUB
The goals of the choir are to allow its members an opportunity to use their voices to inspire and motivate others, to mature members vocal abilities by singing as a group and solo, to provide Banneker students with a cultural presentation in song during special assemblies and to foster a sense of family among students promoting harmonious and unified school environment. This club will meet every Thursday after school from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Sponsors: Ms. Ables and Ms. Forman

DANCE CLUB
If you enjoy an environment in which you can learn different genre, then the dance club is for you. The club meets Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Sponsors: Ms. Best

EQUESTRIAN CLUB
Students participate in weekly riding lessons at Rock Creek Horse Center. Each rider must groom, saddle and bridle his/her horse before each lesson. The Center creates a special class for Banneker students. The cost is $35 per lesson, but there are opportunities to earn credit toward the lessons by doing work at the stables.

Sponsor: Ms. Tucker

GERMAN CLUB
This club will meet for the first time on Tuesday, October 7 at 11:30 a.m. in room 306. All students are welcome to attend. We will be talking about traveling in Germany, German popular culture (songs, poems, fashions, etc.)

Sponsors: Ms. Dannebom

INTERNATIONAL CLUB
The marvelous diversity of Banneker is celebrated by this club. Students are invited who have an interest in traveling, both within the Washington Metropolitan area and abroad. Members are interested in careers in International Law or business and in participating in internships in other countries. The club meets after school Thursdays.

Sponsor: Mrs. Bennett

IT'S ACADEMIC
All students are welcome to join It's Academic. The team practices Monday, Tuesday and Friday from 3:15 pm to 4:30 pm in Room 311.

Sponsor:

MODEL UNITED NATIONS
Learn how to be a diplomat at the U.N. Meetings are bi-monthly and once a week two months before a competition.

Sponsor: Mr. Nickelson

MU ALPHA THETA
This is a National High School and Junior College Mathematics Club for honor students with the goal of providing a forum for training the leaders of tomorrow. Students who have completed Algebra I, Geometry, and are currently enrolled in another mathematics course are invited to apply for induction as a full member. Also they must have at least an overall "B" average in mathematics courses taken at Banneker and a 2.5 GPA overall.

Sponsor: Mrs. Allen

NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY
Students who have a cumulative average of 3.2 are initially eligible for induction into the National Honor Society. They must demonstrate leadership, character and service. Meetings are held every Tuesday during the first 15-20 minutes of the lunch period.

Sponsor: Mrs. Bennett

ORCHESTRA CLUB
This club provides an opportunity for students who play an instrument to perform a variety of music in an ensemble.

Sponsor:

PEER MEDIATION CLUB
Students get training to help other students involved in conflicts, resolve their problems in a peaceful, positive way. Meetings are every Tuesday.

Sponsor:

PEP SQUAD
High-spirited individuals support the cheerleaders at sporting events, usually doing a dance routine during the half time of the JV Basketball games. Meetings are Mondays and Thursdays after school.

Sponsor: Ms. Gooding

PHILOSOPHY CLUB
Students get training to help other students involved in conflicts, resolve their problems in a peaceful, positive way. Meetings are every Tuesday.

Sponsor: Mr. Nickelson

POETRY CLUB
Students get training to help other students involved in conflicts, resolve their problems in a peaceful, positive way. Meetings are every Tuesday.

Sponsor: Ms. Sorrels

SCIENCE CLUB
This club competes in the Annual Science Bowl sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy. Meetings are Thursdays from 3:15 pm to 4:30 pm in Room 311.

Sponsor:

SECME CLUB
If you like to "build" things and enjoy seeing "how things work", then this engineering club is for you! The first meeting will be held the first Thursday in October in Room 007 after school. Check out our website >

Sponsors: Ms. Mills, Ms. Sorrels

SOCIEDAD HONORARIA
The Spanish Honor Society welcomes students who have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 and who have maintained an average of B+ over the course of three semesters at Banneker. They must also demonstrate a genuine interest in pursuing study of the Spanish language. It meets after school on Tuesdays.

Sponsor: Mrs. Bennett

STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION
This is not a club, but the student government, an organization which represents the concerns of students and provides a liaison with the school's administration. Representatives, elected from each advisory, meet each Monday during the lunch period to discuss issues and plan activities for the entire student body. The representatives report back to their advisories on upcoming events, and on the outcomes of the discussions. Representatives should be responsible, articulate and resourceful members of the student body who are willing and able to take on this commitment.

Sponsor: Ms. Warren, Mr. Singer

TAE KWON DO CLUB
A new club, sessions will be Tuesday and Friday from 3:30 pm - 4:45 pm. You may choose either day, or attend both! Fee is $50.00 for the year.

Sponsor: Mr. Nickelson

THETA ALPHA ZETA
Banneker's Junior Girls' Sorority was founded in the Spring of 2002. The mission of the organization is to promote a unifying sense of sisterhood, leadership skills, integrity, scholarship, responsibility, and community service.

Sponsor:

YEARBOOK CLUB
The yearbook club is open to all Banneker students. The task is to complete an all school yearbook to be distributed in the Spring of each year.

Sponsor: Ms. Gooding