Clubs & Activities

ADVISOR: Leo Janas

Gill St. Bernard's is one of twelve high schools in Somerset County that belong to the Academic League. Students compete against other area schools in a quiz-bowl type format in approximately six academic categories.

Student Hosts: A group of students (mostly 9th graders) who serve as hosts to visitors applying to the Upper School. Student Hosts play an important role in the application process by showing others what a day in the life is like at GSB.

Tour Guides: A group of 10th-12th grade students who attend our fall Open Houses and show prospective families around campus. Tour Guides can convey important information about GSB and share stories about their own experiences.

ADVISOR: Christine Chan

The ACC is an affinity space for Upper School students centered on the cultural affinity experience in our community. Club members and their allies co-sponsor forums concerning issues about race, heritage, identity, and current events.

ADVISORS: Steve Rossi and PJ Brennan

This club promotes and organizes two blood drives within the academic year.

ADVISOR: Tracey Barrett

BSU promotes student forums and conferences throughout the academic year.

ADVISOR: Ian Provost

The Chess Club provides an opportunity to play chess, practice chess, and compete in tournaments as part of a GSB team. Students and teachers who share this interest can meet. The Chess Club was first introduced in 2015, and have had members participate in the NJ State Grade Championship, the US Grade Championship (Florida), and the US Amateur.

ADVISOR: Sarah Isusi

The Community Art Club provides opportunities to create collaborative projects based on themes that are installed in sight-specific locations throughout the campus.

ADVISOR: Kathleen Hiott

The Debate Club thoughtfully discusses issues that the students decide on in the beginning of the year. Some typical topics that are debated include immigration, gun control, gene editing, school uniforms, and college vs. trade schools.

ADVISOR:  Steve Rossi and Courtney Ricca

The Environmental Club works to help make the GSB community aware of environmental changes and to get our community to do its part in reducing waste.

ADVISOR:  Kathleen Hiott

The Ethics Club focuses its research and discussions on ethical dilemmas.

ADVISOR: Ned Lincoln

ADVISOR:  Margery Schiesswohl

The Fashion Club is a service club that collects and provides clothing donations to organizations that provide these items to individuals in need. Some past events include a Halloween costume collection, winter coat drive, prom dress collection, and Cinderella's Closet.

ADVISOR:  Fernando Gomez

The Fishing Club is a great way to go out and experience all that the expansive Gill campus has to offer. The Fishing Club meets during the week in the fall and spring, usually at the Home Winds pond. Instruction is provided in knot-tying, casting, lure/bait selection, the importance of stealth, and humane catch and release. Students who participate in this club will learn about enjoying the outdoors, treating fish gently, and the importance of perseverance. In addition, fishing is a great antidote for everyday stress.

ADVISOR: Gina Wendell

The Gender Equality Club provides students with a space to learn more about current topics related to gender equity and presents an opportunity for students to support and educate members in our community about these issues.

ADVISORS: Jared Ciocco, Paul Canada, Tracey Barrett

GSA is an affinity space for students to receive support, socialize, and educate the community on topics related to the spectrum of gender and sexual identities.

ADVISOR: Tracey Barrett

The Gill for Diversity Club (GFD) is an Upper School leadership group of students who have attended various conferences and summits, participate in facilitation skills trainings and demonstrate an interest in working with other students on issues of diversity and social justice. Their mission is to educate their peers about issues concerning diversity and equity that affect the school community and the world.

This past year, GFD has hosted several student forums focused on religious identity, body image, and race identity where students are provided the space to voice their perspectives in a respectful and meaningful environment.

ADVISOR: Steve Rossi

Gill For Veterans is a club whose purpose is to raise awareness and incorporate service opportunities at GSB that relate directly to America's heroes who suffer from PTSD and other mental and physical disabilities.

ADVISOR: Ana LaTournous

Hands For The Ande is a club that works to support the 150+ orphan children and 100+ senior citizens who live in three orphanages and one senior home in the poverty-stricken and remote region of Ayacucho, Peru.

ADVISOR: Fernando Gomez

ADVISOR: Nasirin Ameri

ADVISOR: Andrew Lutz

The Literary Magazine provides a safe, laboratory space for the development of ideas and writing. Club members manage, construct, and edit an annual literary magazine featuring fiction, poetry, and artwork.

ADVISOR: Anita Kurisko

Club members enter competitions as part of a GSB team, practice interesting math problems, and spend time with other students who enjoy math.

ADVISOR: Emily Haberman

ADVISOR: Nasrin Ameri

Affinity space for Upper School students centered on the cultural affinity experience in our community. Club members and their allies co-sponsor forums concerning issues about race, heritage, identity, and current events.

ADVISORS: Margery Schiesswohl and Christine Chan

Now in its 27th year, Mock Trial is one of the older clubs at the school. The club is led by multiple faculty members who help prepare students for the New Jersey Mock Trial Competition. Students hone their skills on creating opening statements, establishing lines of questioning, and closing arguments. This is a great club for students who are interested in law, legal process, or government. The club runs from late September to February.

ADVISORS: Carrie Grabowki and Candace Pryor Brown

Model UN meets weekly to help prepare students to attend and participate in the Model UN Conferences. The Model UN experience helps students to understand the geographical world, learn how to collaborate with others, and to negotiate for a positive result. In 2016, the club won Outstanding Small Delegation at the Philadelphia Model UN.

ADVISOR: John Taeschler

ADVISORS: Jared Ciocco and Margery Schiesswohl

The Podcast Club is designed as a student-run podcast highlighting different areas of student life.  Students organize, perform, and edit each final podcast.

Reading Buddies is one of the most interactive clubs that is offered at Gill. The program pairs Upper School students with Lower School students, with the older students reading to the younger ones and working with them on a range of activities that connect to the stories read. The main goals of the club are to encourage reading in the Lower School and create a bond between Upper School and Lower School students. The students meet at the Lower School every other Wednesday throughout the school year. It is one of the most popular clubs in the Upper School.

ADVISORS: Hayley Katz and Carrie Johnson

"Team Chaos?" you ask. "What kind of name is that for a robotics team?" Well, our nominal meaning is twofold. First, our team works in a sense of organized chaos. Every year the FIRST Robotics Competition releases a new game, and we have just six weeks to understand it and use our knowledge to build and code the best possible robot that will compete well in said game. We are constantly preparing for the FIRST Robotics Competition every way we can, covering all the basics: programming, mechanical, and strategy are just a few of the duties we work on. Another chaotic factor that makes it more accessible to be part of the team is the fact that in addition to having our core work squad, we allow people to drop in whenever they can make it. This way, students who have busy schedules or simply do not know much about robots in general can still experience the team setting, allowing them to gently ease their way into the field of robotic engineering. Finally, we're called Team Chaos because while we are always there with help and support for other robotics teams with FIRST's expected gracious professionalism, on the field we are the dominating chaotic factor the opposing alliance was never expecting us to be. Visit the club's website at chaos2458.com

ADVISORS: Francesco Mazzotta

Ski Club meets on Fridays throughout the months of January and February at Camelback Mountain in Pennsylvania. Participants depart campus at 3:30 p.m. and return to school by 10:00 p.m.  It is an opportunity to practice and improve one’s competence in winter sports.  Both snow boarders and skiers are welcome at all skill levels and instruction/rental equipment is available. There is an important social/community aspect, as well.

ADVISOR: Brittany Rajah and Christine Chan

The Social Committee helps plan, organize, and generate excitement for the two main social events of the school year: 9th & 10th dance and prom.

Student Government is comprised of a President (senior) and Vice-President (junior) along with three representatives from each grade level. The group meets on a weekly basis throughout the year to plan events, discuss student life, and meet with members of the administration. Throughout the years, student government has been instrumental in providing input on student life, as all members are encouraged to be advocates for their respective classes.

ADVISOR:  Brendan Flanagan

In the past, GSB alternated hosting a TEDx event in collaboration with Blair Academy. Seven students shared presentations during the February 2019 event. This year's club details and format are currently under construction.

ADVISOR: Shari Poticny

Members practice writing through journalism, and they advocate and communicate school activities.