Academic Challenge:  The Jacobs Academic Challenge Club is an academic team comprised of 14 students chosen by teacher recommendation.  Top students in honors or AP classes take tests at competition sites at the regional, sectional, and state level.  The subject areas include Biology, Chemistry, Computers, English, Engineering Graphics, Math, and Physics.  The team is formed in October, and tests are given in February, March, and April.  

Sponsor: Phil Timm Phillip.Timm@d300.org

Sponsor: Renita Rasmus Renita.Rasmus@d300.org

 

Art Club: Art Club is a student-run organization that seeks to provide members with studio time, projects, activities, and community service all in relationship to art.  Art Club supplies students with an open environment to continue to learn about, experience, and appreciate art as well and build positive peer relationships with others interested in visual art.  

Sponsor: Kristen Hilton Kristen.hilton@d300.org

 

Chess Club: Chess Club provides a fun and welcoming environment where students learn about and play chess. All skill levels are welcome, including novices! We continue to add new activities to our club, providing leadership opportunities and ways to engage our community in the strategic and stimulating game of chess!

Sponsor: Lora Sprigings lora.sprigings@d300.org

 

Drama Club: Drama Club meetings consist of theatre and improv games, learning about theatre, and hanging out with other students. It provides a safe space to be yourself, watch others perform, and even get up onstage yourself if you would like.  You will learn about acting and auditioning, improvisation games, technical theatre, and anything else theatre related.

Sponsor: Dave McGill david.mcgill@d300.org

Sponsor: Adam Stromberg adam.stromberg@d300.org

Sponsor: Kristen Zehrer kirsten.zehrer@d300.org

 

Debate: Harry D. Jacobs High School has a proud tradition of debate. Jacobs was a founding member of the Illinois Congressional Debaters Association which got its start over 25 years ago. The debate season runs from August to March and over 500 debaters compete at monthly tournaments. In addition to monthly tournaments, team members may have the chance to participate in the Illinois High School Association State Debate Tournament held in Springfield, Illinois, and have the opportunity to participate in a special qualifying tournament for the National Speech and Debate Association National Tournament which is held annually at various locations around the country. During the month leading up to each tournament, debate team members meet weekly to write a current event bill (topic), review the bills, research the topics, practice speaking, and discuss tournament strategy. At the tournament, team members participate in a simulated Congress chamber of approximately 20-25 people by delivering persuasive PRO or CON speeches and by asking and answering questions. The speeches and questions are scored by judges and individual and team awards are given at the end of each tournament.  While informative, no words can truly describe the experience of being part of the Jacobs High School Debate Team.  Please visit www.d300debate.org for more information.

Sponsor: Ryan Andersen ryan.andersen@d300.org

 

Fellowship of Christian Athletes: Fellowship of Christian Athletes is a club for athletes and non-athletes to hang out and explore their beliefs with their peers. Student leaders organize large group games, personal stories, teaching, and small groups for all students to participate in. Everyone is welcome to join at any point in the year!

Sponsor: Katie O’Brien kathryn.obrien@d300.org

 

Film Club: The purpose of Film Club is to bring students together that appreciate the artform of film.  Students will view and discuss movies that are to be determined by the club.

Sponsor: Ryan Anderson ryan.anderson@d300.org

 

Film Production Club: This club is for students interested in film production. The overarching goal for this club is to create student short films with a runtime of around 5 - 15 mins. Meetings would consist of the pre-production (writing, table reads) and the production stages (filming, technical) of filmmaking over the course of a few months. Post-production aspects such as editing would be done outside of meetings. It's for anyone who loves collaborating with others and loves producing quality work!

           

Sponsor: Kate Stanley katelyn.stanley@d300.org

 

French Club: French Club is a service organization that celebrates and shows appreciation for the French language and culture through planned social events and community service projects.

Sponsor: WenHua Deng wenhua.deng@d300.org

 

Future Healthcare Leaders: The Future Healthcare Leaders Club strives to provide information to students about what it is like to work in various areas of the medical field. We invite speakers to discuss the roles they play in the field as well as participate in volunteer projects and labs.

Sponsor: Conrad Rogers conrad.rogers@d300.org

 

Gaming Club: The Gaming Club offers students an opportunity to enjoy fellowship with each other while playing video and board games. Students can choose to bring games or gaming systems of their choice or choose among the games already present. X-box, Wii, Game Cube are just a few of the systems that students have brought and played. To challenge students' intellectual and diplomatic skills, games such as Civilization, Diplomacy, Risk, Settlers of Catan and other strategic games are played each week. The Gaming Club welcomes any students who would like to come and spend time in a relaxed and entertaining atmosphere.

Sponsor: Pierre Thorsen pierre.thorsen@d300.org

 

Genders & Sexualities Alliance Club: The HDJ Genders & Sexualities Alliance Club brings students together to raise awareness for LGBTQ rights, and weave a safe haven for all.

Sponsor: Marge Barilich margaret.barilich@d300.org

 

German Club:  German club is a community service club. We do a lot of fun and cultural activities (e.g. caroling, Oktoberfest, German restaurant...). The best part of German club is that you do not need to speak the language! Just come and learn more about the German culture.​

Sponsor: Mireia Cabrera-Colomer mireia.cabreracolome@d300.org

 

Green Eagles:  We strive to make the world a greener, more eco-friendly and eco-conscious place, starting with our school.  Our mission is to spread green ideas and practices not only to our school, but to the surrounding community. 

Sponsor: Bob Frazier Robert.Fraizer@d300.org

Sponsor: Michael Vroman Michael.Vroman@d300.org

Sponsor: Lora Sprigings Lora.Sprigings@d300.org

 

Illinois Science Olympiad:  Illinois Science Olympiad is a science-based competition club. Similar to math team, ISO has a lot of different events at a single meet, allowing students to compete in topics like Thermodynamics, Anatomy, Chemistry, Forensics, and many more. The events range from being multiple choice and free response tests to actual build events, like building a tower, a robot arm, or a mousetrap powered car.   

Sponsor: Chris Keller christopher.keller@d300.org

 

Interact: Interact is a Rotary-sponsored club that helps students get more involved with the community. It allows students to get community service hours by participating in events sponsored by Interact within the community.

Sponsor: Kim Barone Kim.Barone@d300.org

Sponsor: Jeff Davis jeffery.davis@d300.org

 

Knitting Club: The mission of Knitting Club is to "give away everything we produce, and to make the world a warmer place"---scarves to the homeless; hats to chemo patients; blankets to neonatal hospital units and retirement communities. The club supplies beginners with yarn and knitting needles.  Come join us in serving the HDJ and surrounding communities.

Sponsor: Beth Biallas bethany.biallas@d300.org

 

Key Club: Key Club is a student-led service organization focused on helping young people! We have a board composed of Jacobs students. They run the meetings and work with the rest of our members to plan service activities that are fun and helpful.

Sponsor: Marge Barilich margaret.barilich@d300.org

 

Marching Band: The Golden Eagle Marching Band is a competitive performance ensemble that performs at all home football games, local parades and 4-5 competitions throughout the fall season. The band has won over 35 awards since becoming competitive back in 2011.  The band is open to any student musicians who are also enrolled in a curricular ensemble within the Jacobs Music Department with the exception piano players and color guard members.

Sponsor: Anthony Gnutek anthony.gnutek@d300.org

 

Math Team: Math team is a math-based competitive club. Members can compete in a variety of individual tests including Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2 and Precalculus. In addition to the individual tests, members can compete in team competitions including the Freshman/Sophomore 2 person team or Junior/Senior 2 person team which is a relay event with questions posted on a Smartboard or overhead and additional points awarded for answering in the shortest amount of time. Team competitions also include a Freshman/Sophomore and Junior/Senior 8 person competition where teams consist of 8 people working on 20 different math questions together without the use of calculators and a calculator team which consists of 5 members working on problems that only require the calculator. We compete in the conference competition in January and the regional competition in February where members can qualify for the state competition in May.

Sponsor: Brittany Gannon brittany.gannon@d300.org

Sponsor: Megan Placko megan.placko@d300.org

Sponsor: Amy Aichinger amy.aichinger@d300.org

Sponsor: Betsy Schlimgen betsy.schlimgen@d300.org

 

Model UN: Simulates the proceedings of the  United Nations, including discussing global issues and collaborating to find possible solutions to those problems.

Sponsor: Conrad Rogers conrad.rogers@d300.org

 

Multicultural Club: The HDJ Multicultural club strives to foster unity through diversity. We do this at our monthly meetings by hosting guest speakers, playing games, and having fun! All are welcome to join and learn about how diversity makes our community stronger.

Sponsor: Hugo Zarate hugo.zaratejr@d300.org

Sponsor: Lisa Galanes lisa.galanes@d300.org

 

National Honors Society:  Recognizes students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of scholarship, service, leadership, and character. Potential members are selected for membership in NHS as sophomores or juniors so that they are members during junior and/or senior years. Members must maintain high academic standards, character, leadership, and participate in community service.

Sponsor: Leigh Adler Leigh.Adler@d300.org 

Sponsor: Lexi Policht alexia.policht@d300.org

 

Newspaper-The Talon:  The Talon editors work together to create HDJ's school newspaper. The job of a Talon editor is to write articles for the newspaper, review articles from the Journalism classes, take pictures at school events, and develop the layout of each issue of the Talon.  

Sponsor: Kellie Gaspers kellie.gaspers@d300.org

 

Peer Mediation:  Peer Mediation is a conflict resolution program that promotes solving problems in a peaceful manner.  Mediation is a communication process in which the people with the problem work together with the assistance of a neutral third party (mediator/mediators) to resolve the problem peaceably.  It is open to all students interested in helping peers resolve conflicts. Students learn the steps of the mediation process.

Sponsor: Kim Barone Kim.Barone@d300.org

 

Relay For Life:  Relay for Life is a service club that raises money for cancer research. It's a great opportunity to learn about fundraising, and gain some leadership experience to put on your resume. It's also a lot of fun, and a chance to meet some new and different people!

Sponsor: Kellie Gaspers kellie.gaspers@d300.org

 

Scholastic Bowl:  JV and Varsity level academic competition team of 5 members each. These teams play against other schools in a game similar to any TV game show in which a question is asked and teams must BUZZ in. Points are accumulated for each correct answer for the team.  Typically meets in the fall and winter after school on Tuesday nights sometimes till 8 pm.  

Sponsor: Phil Timm Phillip.Timm@d300.org

 

Spanish Club:  Spanish Club is a service club that celebrates the culture of Spanish speaking countries.  Some of our favorite events include participating in Homecoming, a trip to Ballet Folklorico, celebrating El Día de los Muertos, Christmas caroling, making Valentines, volunteering at Feed My Starving Children, planning World Language Week activities, and a trip to a local Mexican restaurant.  You do NOT need to speak Spanish to join Spanish Club!!!

Sponsor: Char Nottolini charlene.nottolini@d300.org

 

Student Council:  We promote student involvement and school spirit by creating well rounded individuals through teamwork and service to the community.  We coordinate Homecoming week, Adopt-A-Family, and Mr. HDJ., along with many other activities.  Aside from specific events, we advocate leadership and excellence not only in school, but through the lives we lead. 

Sponsor: Bridget Drzik bridget.drzik@d300.org

Sponsor: Michele Sanabria michele.sanabria@d300.org