Student Life Activities

Student Life at The Summit includes a variety of activities and experiences. All Upper School students have the opportunity and are encouraged to initiate, develop, facilitate, and evaluate activities, clubs, programs and events.

Leadership is taught and practiced as students engage in opportunities that range from student government, school dances, after school tutoring of inner-city students, working with advisement groups on high ropes courses, and making meals for the homeless, to building and launching rockets from Williams Field. Some students may choose to serve Mass or be the defense attorney on a Mock Trial team; some will compete in state wide competitions in math, science, languages, and social studies; others will dance in the chorus of the spring musical. What differentiates The Summit from other schools is the opportunity to participate in an array of activities and the chance to step up to the call of leadership. The Summit culture encourages students to stretch beyond their comfort zone and explore new interests.

Students who are involved have rewarding experiences at The Summit. There is an expectation that all students will participate in co-curricular activities. Freshmen and sophomores are encouraged to get involved and to try new things; juniors and seniors are encouraged to create and initiate new ideas, continue traditions, and be positive role models and leaders for other students.

The kick-off to a spirited and exciting new school year includes activities and announcements in our morning assembly and a club fair to inform all students of what Student Life has to offer them. We then re-energize activities with a mid-year club fair. The school year winds down with various awards, recognitions, and celebrations of the past year, and in many cases, elections, assessments, and re-visioning for the year to come.

We hope all students find something that interests them, and if not, we encourage our students to start something new.

For more information contact Laura Haas, Director of Student Activities, at haas_l@summitcds.org or 871-4700 Ext. 227.

Clubs and Activities

2011-12 CLUB ADVISORS
Advisors Academic Team: Ms. Cruse, Mr. Towers
Art Club: Mr. Wiesner
Band Club: Ms. Nowlin
Birthday Buddies: Ms. Gayonski
Book Club: Mrs. Cramer Breakfast Club: Mrs. Desch Chess Club: Mrs. Delamerced Chinese Club: Ms. Zhao
Computer Programming: Mr. Uckotter
Discussion Club: Mr. Penticuff Diversity and Inclusion: Rosero, Wermes, O’Dell, Jedding
Ellipsis (A magazine for the Curiously Simple): Mr. Kelly Engineering Club (rockets, robots and more): Mr. Towers Football Statistical Analysis (Fantasy Football): Mr. Hilton
Film and Cinema Analysis: Mr. Kelly
Fine Arts Club: Mrs. Merrill French Club: Mrs. Feldhaus Men’s and Women’s Glee Clubs: Mrs. Merrill
InterAlliance: Mrs. Flesch Insight: Mr. Penticuff Key/Outreach Club: Ms. Lipovsky
Knights of the Roundtable: Ms. Vetter
Latin Club: Mrs. Ashcraft, Mr. Dean
Math Club: Mrs. Flesch NaNoWriMo Club: Mrs. Brannon Peer Ministry: Gayonski, Spencer
Politics Club: Dr. Law
Rostrum (yearbook): Dr. Law Rubiks Club: Mrs. Oldfield Science Club: Mr. Escudero
Ski Club: Mrs. Northern
Spanish Club: Mrs. Desch Ultimate Frisbee Club: Ms. Gayonski
Video Production: Mr. Uckotter World Quest Team: Mrs. Feldhaus, Mrs. Desch
Writers Salon: Mr. Kelly

Here is a listing of the many clubs and activities in the Upper School.

Academic Team
The team competes with other schools in various local and state academic competitions. Since we started competing The Summit has finished No. 1 in the league and/or the tournament.

Ambassador Program
This program is an opportunity for students to serve the school by assisting the Admissions, Development and Alumni Offices with the following: hosting prospective students, visiting area Middle Schools, speaking on student panels, helping with open houses, giving school tours, phonathons, and alumni events. 

American Youth Foundation Leadership Program
Interested juniors and seniors attend a summer leadership conference in the beautiful dunes on lake Michigan. The AYF program reflects learning a fourfold living of balanced mental, physical, social and spiritual well-being. Participants are challenged to accept the motto, “My own self, at my very best, all the time.” AYF participants are encouraged and mentored to practice their leadership in The Summit community through a variety of opportunities and experiences.

Arts Forum
A student directed talent show encourages students to share their artistic talents and gifts with the community. Several times a year, students and faculty enjoy singing, dancing, dramatic readings, poetry, instrumental performances, bands, and comic routines. Some Arts Forums include displays of paintings, drawings, and ceramics.

Band
The school community enjoys several performances by those students involved in the band. The band also participates in sports and other school events, community competitions, and tours.

Birthday Buddies
The purpose of the birthday buddies club is a service project that provides birthday cheer to the elderly in nursing homes.

Book Club
Students meet after school in the library to share opinions and points of view on selected books.

Business Club
The activities of this club are intended to develop the student’s view of the business world and help them get a feel for the business environment.

Chapel Talks
Chapel Talks have become a rite of passage for many Summit students. Seniors have the option to deliver a talk each year, speaking a few minutes about their passions, commitment and world view. The program is the culmination of a deliberately sequence oratory practice starting in the freshmen year.

Chess Club
Students gather after school to play and create new strategies. Students participate in chess competitions with other schools and in tournaments.

Chinese Club
The newest world language taught at The Summit has a club for students so they can learn and experience the Chinese culture.

Chorus and Camerata
The choirs of the Upper School present three major performances each year and often sing at liturgies, and other school and alumni events. The choirs participate in competitions and enjoy travel opportunities.

Community Forums
The student senate selects topics that are pertinent to the common good of the school. These topics are then presented to the student body by student speakers and are followed by faculty and student discussion groups.

Computer Club
This club serves to further educate those with strong interests and skills in various aspects of computer technology, including animation.

Diversity and Inclusion
Students discuss and implement ideas that raise awareness and foster cultural and ethnic respect within the school community. This team often is involved n programs outside the school and with students from other schools. D&I is an active team that creates and implements programs each year for our school community.

Ellipsis
Ellipsis is a student publication of creative writing and art work. There is much to be shared and thought about at the heart of these artists.

Environmental Club
Care about the environment? Join in the fun and action with other like-minded souls who wish to make the world a better place.

Formation Days
The entire Upper School community together participates in a retreat program that fosters the development of one’s relationship with self, others, and God. The program is a progressive four year experience that includes traditional retreats, community service, and experiential outdoor challenges.

French Club
Students can share in cultural activities and studies pertaining to French. The club supports local field trips and international travel.

Glee Clubs
Singing is FUN! We have glee clubs for guys and girls. These groups meet every week and often provide enjoyment and entertainment for the school community.

HOUSE
The HOUSE includes a representative from each advisement group. Every student is expected to serve a minimum of one quarter on the HOUSE. These reps support the common good of the US community, provide open and necessary communications between the Student Senate and the student body, initiate change, help with a number of all school activities, and are critical in organizing various drives and collections.

Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Program
Each year The Summit participates in the Ohio regional conference of the internationally acclaimed HOBY program. For nearly 50 years HOBY has provide leadership education and development to young people all over the world. This is one of our most popular opportunities with students; every student who has had the opportunity to go has loved their experience.

Ignition Day
The Upper School begins each school year with grade level activities that help faculty and students reconnect and build community. Activities include team building initiatives at Camp Joy, visiting the zoo and botanical gardens, activities at Miami Whitewater Park, and swimming at Coney Island.

Insight
Insight is the student newspaper of The Upper School. Student writers and editors create and produce publications monthly.

INTERalliance
This club works to increase technology awareness and knowledge, learn about IT career choices and offers students opportunities to work with other schools.

Key Club
This is a service club that initiates and facilitates service opportunities for the school community. Associated with the Kiwanis Club the Key Club raises and donates money to student selected causes and programs, and in the process provide education and increased awareness for the school community. Key Club also sponsors a monthly service project for the Upper School including various drives and collections, and plans service activities within the school between different grades.

Latin Club
Students share their passion for Latin and classical studies. The club offers many opportunities for field trips and competitions locally, state-wide, and nationally.

Math Club
Students interested in mathematics enjoy sharing their problem solving skills in after school activities. Throughout the year they compete in various tests and competitions locally, state-wide, and nationally.

Miami Valley Conference Forum
Summit student athletes participate in discussions and activities to promote sportsmanship and athletic integrity with student athletes from other MVC schools.

Mock Trial
This is a statewide program that teaches law through courtroom simulations. Students act as legal teams and court professionals. They conduct research, build their cases, and compete with other schools in mock trials. During the process, students have the chance to work with legal professionals as mentors.

National Honor Society
Juniors and seniors who meet qualifications may apply for membership in our chapter of The National Honor Society. Members participate in a school tutoring program and two service projects.

Outdoors/Hiking Club
These students are concerned about the environment and want to make a difference regarding environmental issues. They also have an interest in enjoying nature and exploring the outdoors through hiking and camping.

Outreach
Students work with the Campus Minister and religion faculty to plan Masses, prayer services, and ecumenical services, and to offer support to members of the community in need.

Philosophy Club
The philosophy club encourages students to think freely about topics not typically discussed in their classrooms and is meant to foster open-mindedness.

Political Clubs
A few clubs involve politics. Some are for discussion and debate, such as the lunch meeting of the Politics club, and some are for competition with other schools, such as the World Affairs Council.

Recreational Clubs
A number of our clubs are intended for recreation. They are clubs meant for meeting new friends and having fun. These clubs include ultimate Frisbee, hacky sack, rubiks club, ski club and ping pong.

Regional Youth Leadership
Students apply and are invited to participate in the tri-states' Regional Youth Leadership program. This program offers students from school in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky a series of educational experiences and workshops about leadership.

Rostrum
The Rostrum is our school yearbook. Students work as editors and photographers in creating the all-school yearbook. They participate in workshops and training sessions to develop the skills needed for layout, design and publication. This activity involves working with each division of the school and is a wonderful challenge in creative leadership.

School Dances
Interested students may help Senate plan and implement three school dances each year. All students and guests are invited to the Homecoming dance and the Winter dance. The dances are planned by the student Senate and HOUSE. Juniors and seniors are invited to the prom, and the junior class is responsible for planning and implementing the prom.

Science Clubs
There are several science clubs including opportunities for students to work in biology, chemistry, physics, and environmental sciences. This clubs attend lectures and seminars, takes field trips, build and launch rockets, engage in lots of hands on experiences, and offer peer education.

Senate
At mid-year twelve juniors are elected to a year’s term on the Student Senate. The Senate is involved in the day to day activities of the Upper School. They are an important link in the communication between administration, faculty, and students. The Senate facilitates activity of the HOUSE and supports the activities of other clubs and organizations.

Senior Search
Senior Search is a special opportunity outside the classroom in which students can demonstrate independent study skills by designing their own learning experience – whether they want to explore the career paths they have in mind or pursue a passion.

Shantytown
This yearly program is a student initiated, planned, and facilitated experiential learning module reflecting on the issues of homelessness. Each year the students select a specific concern that becomes the educational focus of that year’s experience.

Spanish Club
Students can share in cultural activities and studies pertaining to Spanish. The club supports local field trips and international travel.

Spirit Rallies and Assemblies
Our student Senate leads weekly assemblies and various spirit activities and pep rallies throughout the year.

Summer Learning Experiences
Our Summer School offers students a wide variety of classes and specialty camps so students have an opportunity to explore academic content, athletics and the arts in a fun, hands-on, interactive, safe environment on our Cincinnati campus. While Summit faculty teaches many of the academic, art and music offerings, notable professionals are invited to campus for a number of special-interest studies.

Tender Mercies
This is a service activity that involves preparing and delivering brown bag lunches to homeless people in Washington Park each Sunday.

Theater Arts
Actors and actresses of the Upper School perform a dramatic play or comedy in the fall and a musical in the spring. The school has an association with both a thespian group and a Shakespearean organization.

Unity Day
Our spring Unity Day is an event that brings the entire Upper School together for a day of fun and learning with the students from several area grade schools. Students, faculty, and parents work together in the planning and implementing of the day.

Video Productions Club
This club learns about video production while doing projects in video production that are beneficial to the school.

Writer’s Salon
Students interested in writing are invited to write and share their work. The Writer’s Salon offers a supportive and open climate for creative people.

Youth and City Government
Students choose to participate in the Cincinnati Youth and City Government program.