Aaron Graves ’00 was a proud Marauder who loved his school, his Brothers and basketball. Tragically, Aaron was diagnosed with cancer and passed away during his senior year.

In Aaron's memory, St. Joe's hosts the Aaron Graves ’00 Memorial 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament each year. Students and alumni are encouraged to sign up for this event each spring. The money raised from the tournament goes to a memorial scholarship in Aaron’s name.

MODERATOR: Mr. Lomeo

The St. Joe’s Theatre Program offers an Acting Club, which is a co-ed option for our students. It meets once a week, usually on Thursdays from 3:30-5 pm. A club that focuses on the basic approaches to acting and creating a character to present to an audience.

The club will discuss Stanislavski's methods and provide the students with different projects to work on to improve their confidence and acting skills on stage or in front of an audience. The club will also travel occasionally to local theatres and events in Theatre Arts to expand the students' understanding and appreciation of our theatre community. 

MODERATOR: Mr. Frisina

For more than 40 years, St. Joe's has hosted a highly anticipated political debate between candidates of elected offices. The participants, often determined by high public interest in a local race, are invited by the school to partake in the annual event. In recent years, candidates have begun to reach out to St. Joe's in the hopes of securing their spot on the school's debate stage.

Students enrolled in AP Government have the honor of developing and posing questions to the candidates in front of a packed gymnasium of students, faculty members, and local media. Other key tasks are assigned to students, such as timekeeping and fact-checking, all happening during the live debate. 

Background:

Mr. Lina, AP Government teacher, hosted the first debate in 1984. The event has evolved over the years, but the continued success is due to Mr. Lina's personal passion for local politics and government policy. Leadership of the debate is now shared with Mr. McHale '87, AP U.S. History teacher and former debate participant from his high school days at St. Joe's.

The debate is a clear example of experiential learning combined with meaningful discussion and thoughtful reflection, a valuable process that occurs throughout the academic experience for students at St. Joe's.

LED BY: Mr. Lina and Mr. McHale

The A-Team is a club for students who are interested in learning the art of sports communication. No experience is necessary! Students work in the press box during SJCI sporting events and deliver play-by-play commentary, color commentary, work as the camera operator or the scoreboard/statistics operator.

MODERATOR: Mr. Vinnie Christiano

Art Club welcomes any student with a passion for creating, whether you're enrolled in an art class or not. From collaborating on community art projects to learning from real working artists to exploring your own creative passions, there's always something exciting happening.

MODERATOR: Ms. Scibetta

Members of the Book Club read two fascinating books connected by a common theme or genre in one year. Students meet after school every two weeks to discuss the reading, share ideas, and make connections to the outside world. This club strengthens reading comprehension and communication skills while encouraging a love of the written word.

MODERATOR: Mr. Hoerner 

A decades-old annual writing contest that collects and reviews original written works by students.

MODERATOR: Ms. Crounse

Come for the strategy. Stay for the community!
Whether you're new to the game or a grandmaster in the making, the Chess Club is a place to challenge yourself and sharpen your skills. 

You'll compete in casual matches and regional tournaments, and represent St. Joe’s in the New York Interscholastic Chess League, all while having a great time with your peers. 

MODERATORS: Ms. Swierczynski and Mr. Lomeo 

Collegiate Ambassadors are juniors and seniors who lead with integrity and represent what it means to be a St. Joe’s student.

This group plays an important role in helping people feel welcome and comfortable on campus, whether that’s giving a family a tour, talking with alumni or representing the school at events.

LED BY: Ms. Runfola and Ms. Cole

If you’re an intermediate or advanced brass or woodwind player, this is a great way to keep growing your skills while being part of a serious music ensemble. You'll work on a mix of traditional and contemporary concert band pieces, with rehearsals and performances scheduled throughout the year.

Instructor approval is required for enrollment.

This club counts as a 1.0 credit for the students.

INSTRUCTOR: Mr. Walling 

The Connect Life Club helps organize two blood drives and raise awareness about blood and organ donation throughout our community. Students are offered the opportunity to donate their time, tour Connect Life’s facilities and provide informational opportunities to the student body.

Learn more about our local Connect Life HERE.

MODERATORS: Ms. Scibetta and Mr. Marzec

Check back for details.

MODERATOR: Mr. Wick

The goal of the Equity & Justice Club is to make St. Joe’s a place where everyone feels like they belong. We aim to create space for honest conversations and encourage learning from different perspectives. It’s about understanding each other better and building a stronger, more inclusive community.

MODERATOR: Ms. Golden

Members of the Film Club watch 10 films throughout the year. After each, we discuss the film and the filmmaking, including directing, cinematography, editing, acting, script structure and character development. 

The films cover a broad spectrum of genres (comedies, dramas, horror, sci-fi, westerns) and time periods (from the silent era to the Marvel era). 

Students enjoy a great viewing experience in our lecture hall with a large projection screen and surround sound.

MODERATOR: Mr. Hoerner

The St. Joe’s Food Basket is our annual non-perishable food drive supporting The Warming House, a soup kitchen in Olean, NY.

For more than 50 years, students have come together to collect donations, raise awareness across campus, and hand-deliver truckloads of food in time for the holiday season. It’s a tradition rooted in compassion, service and the belief that no one should go without, especially at Christmas.

MODERATORS: Mr. Stewart and Mr. Seifert

Imagine playing a game where you get to travel the world from your computer, and the best part is, you're learning while having fun! That's kind of what a GeoGuessr club is like! 

It’s a browser-based geography game in which players must figure out locations from Google Street View imagery. You compete as individuals and as teams to find clues and guess your location on the world map, sharpening your geographic knowledge. 

All students are welcome and no previous experience is necessary. Laptop needed.

MODERATOR: Deacon Hynes

All Wizards and Muggles are welcome to join the Harry Potter Club. We meet regularly to enjoy trivia, discussion, games and wizarding projects!

MODERATOR: Ms. Crounse

Hiking Club brings together students who share a love for nature and adventure. We organize trips to local trails and parks during the year, with past hikes including Holiday Valley in Ellicottville, Eighteen Mile Creek, Niagara Gorge, Eternal Flame, Amherst State Park, Tifft Nature Preserve & many more! 

Along the way, members learn outdoor skills, explore some of Western New York’s most scenic spots and build great friendships through shared experiences on the trail.

MODERATORS: Mr. Serra and Mrs. Serra

Members of Inside the Ł Student Philanthropy Club meet biweekly during the all-school break, in addition to the occasional after-school meeting. Students partner with the Office of Institutional Advancement to volunteer at stewardship events and fundraising events such as Lasallian and Day of Giving. Members also advocate for advancement efforts among their classmates, helping to build a culture of philanthropy throughout the student body.

MODERATORS: Ms. Herud and Ms. Stoklosa

Microloans are small amounts of money that can make a big difference for people trying to start or grow a business. The Microloans Club is a student-led club that raises and lends money to support small business owners in Western New York and around the world. These loans help entrepreneurs grow their businesses, support their families, and build stronger communities. It’s a hands-on way to live out our Lasallian values through real-world impact.

MODERATOR: Mr. Stewart

This ensemble has been a staple of the Fine Arts Department for over 50 years and performs high-quality jazz and big band music. Open to students already enrolled in a music class and who have permission from the director to join. Requires after-school rehearsals and individual practice. Students will take part in scheduled performances throughout the year.

This club counts as a 1.0 credit for the students.

MODERATOR: Mr. Walling 

Lasallian Leadership Team (LLT)  are the student leaders of the Campus Ministry program at St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute. Directed by Mr. Specht, LLT assists with all aspects of the school's service and worship and meet regularly. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: 

• Assisting in planning and leading class retreats. 

• Preparing for schoolwide masses.

• Serving as ushers, altar servers, and lectors at masses and daily prayer services. 

• Spearheading new initiatives and programs in Campus Ministry. 

• Involvement in Lasallian mission events & annual discernment retreat.

• Openness to leadership on immersion service trips.

MODERATOR: Mr. Specht

Participation in the Math Team provides an innovative and entertaining way to engage high-performing students in mathematics. Students are encouraged to analyze and explore complex problems that often require creative solutions, strengthening their critical thinking skills.

Each participant is given six questions designed to push even the most gifted students. Team preparation encourages thoughtful discussion and collaborative problem-solving in a supportive academic environment.