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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Lasallian Leadership Team (LLT) is made up of student leaders who help bring Campus Ministry to life at St. Joe’s and play a large role in planning and leading service projects, prayer experiences and other meaningful moments that shape student life throughout the year.
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.
The Model United Nations (U.N.) The club gives students an opportunity to understand and participate in the U.N. concept of government. Students are encouraged to learn about various nations' different perspectives and involvement in world affairs. Members represent countries in simulated U.N. sessions and build public speaking, writing, research and collaboration skills.
The Brother Alexander Chapter of the National Honor Society recognizes students for excellence in the four foundational pillars: Scholarship, Leadership, Service and Character. Membership is one of the highest honors awarded at St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute.
While a strong GPA qualifies a student to apply, selection is not automatic. Each candidate's application is evaluated holistically, with a focus on their written essays, extracurricular involvement, and demonstrated character.
Admission into the NHS is selective and not guaranteed. A student's integrity and disciplinary record are significant factors in the final decision.
If you’ve ever asked “Why?” this is the place for you. Philosophy Club meets weekly to explore the big questions like what we believe, why we believe it and how it shapes the way we live.
Each meeting starts with a short presentation from a faculty member, followed by an open discussion.
Students, at any skill level, are encouraged to join the school's ping pong club. The club meets regularly and has several tournaments throughout the year.
Think you're tough enough to take the plunge and become a legendaryFrosty the Joesman? A team of St. Joe’s students and teachers dive into the icy waters of Lake Erie to support the Special Olympics at the annual Polar Plunge in December.
Students interested in creative writing are encouraged to join the Quill and Quiver Writing Club. Students meet regularly to share original written works.
Ripples of Hope is named in memory of Eric Scott Pitman, a St. Joe’s Brother who passed away during his freshman year.
Eric had a deep love for his family, tremendous dedication and a great determination to meet all the challenges he undertook. He had a great passion for law, international relations, political philosophy, and ethics and social justice, and these lectures are to promote these ideas and to honor his memory.
Students in Ripples of Hope meet over the course of the year to discuss pressing issues, decide on a topic for each year’s event and choose a keynote speaker. Ripples has covered such diverse topics as voting rights, access to healthcare, food scarcity, the environment, and the ethical use of AI.
Science Olympiad is a competitive, team-based club where students engage iMODERATn hands-on science-based challenges. The St. Joe’s Science Olympiad team meets regularly for after-school practices with mentors and professionals in STEM fields, beginning in November and attends multiple tournaments culminating with the state tournament in March.
Help bring the St. Joe’s theater productions to life. Students will help build sets, paint backdrops, operate stage lighting and place props during a show. No experience is needed. The crew meets in the evenings leading up to a production.
This group helps students connect their faith with care for the environment, inspired by Laudato Si’. Laudato Si’ (pronounced lah-ow-DAH-toh see) is a letter written by Pope Francis in 2015. The title means “Praise Be to You” in Italian, and calls on everyone to take better care of the Earth.
Through hands-on work around campus and in the community, students grow in their awareness of environmental issues and what it means to care for our common home as people of faith.
Each year, the St. Joe’s student body elects members of their classes to represent the student body as part of the Student Council.
The Student Council works year-round to support class-specific activities and help lead activities for the student body, including:
Pep rallies
Dress down day
Homecoming
Welcome Week
Spirit Week
Student Council actively participates in charitable organizations and forms partnerships to support community service initiatives. By organizing donation drives, volunteering events, and awareness campaigns, members work to make a positive impact both within the school and the broader community. These efforts not only strengthen community ties but also promote a spirit of compassion, leadership, and civic responsibility among students.
Students interested in writing, interviewing, photography, media and more can explore the world of journalism through hands-on coverage of student events and SJCI stories in the school's online magazine, Student Prints.
For students who love to perform! This co-ed chorus performs throughout the year, bringing energy and style to Broadway hits, pop favorites, light jazz and gospel. Open to students already enrolled in Glee Club or Varsity Singers and who have permission from the instructor to join. Students will take part in scheduled performances throughout the year.
We are excited to introduce our new Tech Club, where you can explore the latest in emerging technologies!
Each month, we'll dive into a new and exciting topic that’s shaping the future. This is a great opportunity to learn hands-on skills, collaborate with your peers, and stay ahead of the curve in the ever-evolving world of tech. Open to all grade levels.
The St. Joe’s Theater program offers a great experience for aspiring actors and actresses who love to act, sing, dance and use technical skills, as well as anyone interested in having fun. The co-ed program has a proud tradition of bringing shows to life, developing theatre skills in different areas for our students, and putting on award-winning performances between our Fall Dramas and our Spring Musicals.
Involvement in either the Fall Drama or Spring Musical counts as a .5 credit for students.
This vocal group is all about four-part harmonies and standout solo work. Students serious about singing will be expected to study their music regularly and show up ready to give it their best. The group performs at all St. Joe’s masses, concerts and special events, with a few after-school rehearsals before big performances. Auditions required.
The World Languages Club is open to all students, no matter their language. We explore cultures around the world through food, dance, crafts, holiday observations and more! No fluency required, just curiosity and a sense of fun!
The St. Joe’s Star yearbook is created by a dedicated team of students each year to memorialize the significant happenings of the year.
Students put together the entire book, including developing a theme, writing copy, interviewing classmates, taking pictures, and designing page layouts for clubs, sports, and activities.
This club counts as a .5 elective credit for students.
