Student Activities
The Associated Student Body (ASB)
Eligible Students: Students elected to leadership roles by their classmates as well as designated appointees.
Moderator: Mrs. Larkin Temme
Meetings: Mondays (or Tuesdays if there is no school Monday) during lunch, in room 205
The Associated Student Body (ASB) is a student government organization run by those students elected to leadership roles by their classmates. The main task of the ASB is to represent the student body with regard to school activities and programs. The ASB is led by a board of senior students which includes; the ASB President, ASB Vice-President, and the ASB Secretary. It is their duty to govern meetings and run activities keeping in mind the interests of all students at O’Dea High School. Working within the ASB, are the respective co-class presidents for each grade level. These young men are elected by their peers and are charged with representing the students from their particular grade level. These young men work together to represent O’Dea and to carry out school-sponsored events and meetings.
Activities Currently Sponsored by the ASB: School elections; Spirit Assemblies; Homecoming Week; Social Activities with other schools including: the Freshman Social, New Family Picnic and HNA / O’Dea Fall and Spring socials; New Mother’s Tea; Leadership Day; Club Fair; All-school Barbecues; Blood Drive; and various service projects.
ASB Spirit Club
Eligible Students: All spirited students who are eager to support the Fighting Irish.
Moderator: Mrs. Larkin Temme
Meetings: Wednesdays as necessary during lunch, in room 205
GO IRISH! The ASB Spirit Club is an extension of ASB and is run by the student leaders. This club is for students who want to meet and discuss ways to cheer on the football, basketball and baseball teams. Students meet Wednesdays as necessary to prepare and practice new cheers as well as strategies to encourage participation at sporting events among the entire student body.
Black Students United for Excellence (BSUE)
Eligible Students: All Students Who Are Interested Are Welcome
Moderators: Ms. Rebecca McPharlin and Mr. Lawrence Kight
Meetings: Thursdays during lunch in room 202
The BSUE encourages the pursuit of academic excellence and leadership among its members. The BSUE's primary contribution to diversity in the O'Dea community will be through sharing African-American culture with all who are interested. The BSUE makes its vision for a diverse community a reality by doing the following:
1. Informal Weekly Discussion Seminar: Gathering during lunch with student leaders and moderators for informative discussions on various timely topics.
2. Freshman Mentoring Program: Partnering older students with new students, easing transition to O'Dea and high school life.
3. BSUE Community Service Program: Connecting with the community and giving back through various service projects.
4. The Martin Luther King, Jr. Assembly: Planning, coordinating, and hosting O'Dea's assembly honoring Dr. King and his work empowering the human spirit.
Campus Ministry
Eligible Students: All Students
Moderator: Mr. Tom Schutte
Activities:
- Respect for Life Club
- Retreat Ministry
- Social Justice
- Prayer Services
- Liturgy
- Liturgical Ministers
Campus Ministry’s “Brotherhood” Club meets weekly to pray, fellowship, and build their relationship with God and one another. This is a student led club focused on growing in faith.
The respect for life club meets weekly to raise awareness of pro-life issues and how as young men they can take part in advocating for the dignity of all life.
The retreat ministry serves every student at O’Dea High School.
The Freshman Retreat focuses on the profile of an O’Dea Gentleman through fun and engaging activities and talks by leaders of the Junior and Senior class.
The Sophomore Retreat focuses on servant leadership, and what it means to love God and to love your neighbor.
The Encounter Retreat has been called the “highlight of the O’Dea experience”. This is a retreat for juniors and seniors, led by seniors who have taken the retreat previously. This is a great retreat to know what O’Dea is all about.
The Senior retreat helps the seniors close the door on their high school experience through reflecting on gratitude.
Prayer Services are student led community gatherings to help build up the community. Our regular services include Thanksgiving and Christmas, while we also have prayer services in response to events happening in our world and community.
We celebrate Mass at St. James Cathedral seven times a year. Mass of the Holy Spirit, All Saints, Immaculate Conception, Vocations Mass, Ash Wednesday, the feast day of Bl. Edmund Rice, as well as Graduation.
Juniors and Seniors are invited to be liturgical ministers at all our prayer services and liturgies.
Campus Ministry aims to be a life-giving presence on campus, bringing fun, faith, friendship, and freedom to entire community through the light of Jesus Christ.
Celtic Heritage Club
Eligible Students: Open to all students
Moderators: Br. John Greenan
Meetings: Tuesdays, 12:10-12:30 in room 210
The purpose of the Celtic Heritage Club of O'Dea High School is to preserve, promote, enjoy and actively participate in the traditions, heritage and cultural activities of Celtic ancestry. We hope to enlighten those in the community who aren't familiar with the rich Irish heritage of the school, Blessed Edmund Rice and the Christian Brothers, as well as promote group unity through a series of organized events.
Sponsored Activities: Support of the Matt Talbot Center, O'Dea, and other charities, St. Patrick's Day, Guest speakers.
Chess Club
Eligible Students: Open to all students
Moderator: Mr. Barrett Corrigan
Meetings: Practices are after school in room 201, tournaments are on the weekends. November - February
The O'Dea chess team competes in the Metro chess league from November through February for entry in the State Team Championships at the end of February. We also compete in individual tournaments during the chess team season. These tournaments are on the weekends. We begin in November with practices after school in room 201. Our team matches are played on Wednesdays and can last three hours each. Anyone interested in the team should see Mr. Corrigan for information.
Close Up Washington
Eligible Students: A select group of proficient junior and senior students
Moderator: Mr. James Walker
Meetings: Several meetings scheduled prior to travel to Washington D.C.
Close Up Washington is a unique weeklong government studies program in Washington, D.C. The students will stay in a Washington area hotel with other students and their teachers from across the United States. The intensive study of the democratic process will let students witness government in action on Capital Hill and throughout Washington D.C. During the students' action packed week, they are guided by Close Up program instructors dedicated to helping students get the most out of their learning experience. These knowledgeable educators accompany students on study visits, conduct daily small-group discussion workshops, and get to know each student individually.
Computer Club
Eligible Students: Open to all students
Moderators: Dr. Lee Reinleitner
Meetings: After School in room 402
The Computer Club at O'Dea High School typically meets one day a week to discuss and work on computer hardware and software. It is rather informal and is open to all O'Dea students. Some students come all year, and others come as other activities permit (sports, plays, band, etc.). The club has several old computers as well as a Dell dual core system with Windows 7, and various versions of linux operating systems, especially Ubuntu. The Computer Club has also explored simple programming with both Javascript and Visual Basic, and has explored using various netbook computers with emphasis on learning their advantages/disadvantages for college. Each year involves new aspects of the use of computers, both hardware and software, depending on the interests of the students and teacher in the club.
Dance Committee
Eligible Students: Any interested, responsible student of good character
Moderators: Ms. Gabriela Botello
Meetings: Friday lunch meetings prior to each dance, in room 203
The Dance Committee is a sub-committee of the ASB. It is led by co-chairpersons(2 or 2); one senior (represented on ASB) and one or two sophomore or junior. This organization is formed yearly with student volunteers who sign up for approval to be on the committee. These students must be persons of good character, as they are in charge of sponsoring, arranging, planning and operating school dances. Students may sign up for this committee at the beginning of the school year.
Drama
Eligible Students: Open to all students
Moderator: Ms. Michelle Traverso
Meetings: Drama is like a seasonal sport, so during the production, practices run 3-5 days a week and possible Saturdays.
The O'Dea Drama club has produced many entertaining shows. Past shows have included: M.A.S.H., Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat, Dracula, Damn Yankees, Godspell, Oliver, Guys & Dolls, Little Shop of Horrors, The Odd Couple, Fools, The Front Page, and Holes
Latest Drama Production Flyer
Esperanza
Eligible Students: Any Seniors in good standing (academically GPA of 2.5, O'Dea gentlemen). 2 Juniors in Spanish III - School Leaders (20-22 students total).
Moderators: Ms. Gabriela Botello and Mr. Aires Patulot
Meetings: Applications are distributed in October and meetings begin periodically thereafter, leading up to the week long trip during Holy Week.
In the spirit of Blessed Brother Edmund Rice a group consisting of seniors, juniors and faculty from O’Dea High School will go to New Orleans, Louisiana, to work with a less fortunate family that was affected by Hurricane Katrina to help them build a home.
The mission trip is called Esperanza, which in Spanish means "hope." Esperanza International was founded in 1984 in an attempt to empower the poor in third world countries by bridging their needs with available resources. Under the leadership of Denny David, President of the National Honors Society, Esperanza was adopted by O’Dea in 1999. Denny David experienced Esperanza through his youth group at Our Lady of Fatima parish and believed it would be a positive experience for the O'Dea community.
The Esperanza mission trip takes place during Holy Week, and the spring of 2011 will mark O’Dea’s 13th Esperanza mission trip. This year we will be working with Operation Helping Hands, a program under Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of New Orleans. The mission trip is made possible by contributions from the O’Dea community. In their homeroom classes, the students raise the funds to help pay for the basic construction costs of the house. Other expenses are covered by donations from the community at large, a car wash, a talent show, and from family resources in which all Esperanza members participate.
Although we are working hard to raise the money for our food, lodging and transportation, we still need your help if we are going to meet our goal. For this reason, we are writing this letter to ask for your help. If you wish to contribute, please make your check payable to O’Dea High School -Esperanza and mail it to the student you are sponsoring before April 8th. If you have any questions regarding our program please contact Ms. Gabriela Botello at (206)-622-6596 or gbotello@odea.org. For more information about Esperanza we encourage you to visit the Operation Helping Hands website. WE THANK YOU very much for your donations because without them this mission would not be possible. God bless you.
This project is supported by the National Honors Society and includes the Religion Department, the International Language Department, the History Department, and the Social Justice Team. It is also strongly supported by the Administration.
Guitar Club
Eligible Students: Guitarist of all abilities
Moderator: Mr. Dan Ruiter
Meetings: Tuesday’s after school
Guitar Club meets Tuesday’s after school, in the Band Room. Guitarist of all abilities are welcome to join and explore this great instrument. Guitar Club focuses on students teaching and mentoring other students on the guitar. Students learn everything from basic chords and fundamentals to complicated rock riffs and jazz chord progressions.
Intramurals
Eligible Students: Juniors and Seniors
Moderator: Mr. Michael Doyle
Meetings: Lunchtime throughout the year (Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays)
Intramural sports are played during lunchtime year-round by Juniors and Seniors who don't have access to physical education classes as upperclassmen. Intramural sports may include: indoor soccer, team handball, 3 on 3 basketball, full-court basketball, flag football, dodge ball and waffle ball. Rosters are made up by the students and intramural schedules and tournaments are posted in the senior lounge and on the board outside room 203. Upperclassmen are encouraged to join a team, get to know their classmates and get some fun exercise during lunchtime. Varsity athletes are not allowed to participate in their Varsity sport.
Japanese Language & Culture Club (JLCC)
Eligible Students: All students
Moderator: Mrs. Toyo Nakayama
Meetings: Fridays during lunch in room 207
This club is open to all students who want to learn and enjoy Japanese language and culture. Members should be prepared to learn and grow through the club and its activities, as well as contribute positively to help enrich the experience for other members. The club meets weekly to discuss, view, and enjoy all things Japanese. These include, but are not limited to: Japanese film; art and literature; historical and contemporary issues of relevance to Japan; and participation in local Japanese-related events. The purpose of the club is to provide students with a strong interest in the language and culture of Japan an opportunity to meet with kindred spirits to enhance their knowledge, ability, and cultural awareness. Members take part in efforts to benefit the Seattle Japanese community and activities to promote language immersion. Specific club activities include: a trip to a Japanese nursing home, hands on activities such as a tea ceremony, origami, cooking, traditional play, viewing of anime (Japanese animation) films and more. The moderator as well as the members seek out and bring to the attention of the club any items or events related to Japanese. Ways of practicing and refining Japanese skills are also part of the club agenda.
Junior Classical League (JCL)
Eligible Students: Any student taking or who has taken Latin
Moderator: Ms. April Bauer
Meetings: Select Mondays during lunch in room 303
The JCL club provides Latin students with opportunities to gain a deeper understanding of the language, literature, and culture of ancient Greece and Rome. JCL officers (president, vice-president, secretary, and historian) meet regularly with their Latin teacher to discuss activity ideas for the club members. Movies, games, and art workshops are some of the activities members may enjoy during the school year. Many of these activities are designed to help members prepare themselves for competitions at the annual JCL convention.
Sponsored Activities: Game day, Saturnalia party, lectures.
Junior State of America (JSA)
Eligible Students: Open to all students
Moderators: Mr. Tim Greenan and Mr. Paul Rittman
Meetings: The chapter meets weekly at lunch in room 301
JSA is a debating society that discusses the current political, economic and governmental issues of the day. The chapter participates in three weekend conventions; two in the Seattle area and one in Portland. Also, there are several one day Seattle conferences throughout the year.
Knowledge Bowl
Eligible Students: Open to all students
Moderator: Mr. Paul Rittman
Meetings: Tuesday after school and Thursday during lunch in room 212
Knowledge Bowl in a quick answer academic competition that is organized on a regional and state level. Matches consist of three 4-person teams vying to be the first to answer each of 30 questions correctly. O'Dea usually carries two separate teams. Practices usually begin in September and continue through April and take place during lunch after school and occasionally after school. The regional competition takes place in March and the state finals are in April.
Latino & Filipino Heritage Club
Eligible Students: Open to all students
Moderator: Ms. Gabriela Botello
Meetings: Thursdays during lunch in room 203
The Latino and Filipino Heritage Club attempts to bring cultural diversity and appreciation about these two cultures to the O'Dea High School community The club's mission is to teach students about the cultures of Latin America and the Philippines. Throughout the year, students participate in events and discussions that relate to holidays, current affairs and famous people. The club is run by student members who give presentations at each meeting about different topics. The Latino and Filipino Heritage Club welcomes all students who wish to expand their minds and understand more about the Latino and Filipino cultures.
Link Leader Program
Eligible Students: Junior and Senior students selected by a faculty board
Moderator: Ms. Donna Popich
Meetings: Training day in August, Freshman Orientation Day, meetings on select Tuesdays during lunch and meetings with assigned freshmen at school-sponsored social events and academic follow-up activities throughout the school year.
The Link Leader Program is a freshman high school transition program. Juniors and seniors apply to become Link Leaders and are chosen by a group of faculty and administrative team members. Link Leaders are trained in team building, cooperative skills, and mentoring. Each Link Leader is responsible for a group of 6 - 8 incoming freshmen for whom he will serve as a motivator, role model, and advisor throughout the school year. Link Leaders welcome freshmen at the beginning of the year on orientation day and meet periodically during the year with their freshmen at school-sponsored social and academic events and activities. All freshmen are involved with O’Dea’s Link Leader program.
Liturgical Choir
Eligible Students: All students - some singing experience
Moderator: Mr. Dan Ruiter
Meetings: Rehearsal for each service as needed
The O’Dea Liturgical Choir performs exclusively at school liturgies and prayer services. The Liturgical Choir rehearses for each service as needed. All students who enjoy singing, and have some singing experience are welcome to join. This is a great music ministry opportunity, and students can earn Service Learning hours through Liturgical Choir. Talk to Mr. Ruiter about joining Liturgical Choir.
Math Club
Eligible Students: Open to all students
Moderator: Mr. Paul Rittman
Meetings: Fridays during lunch in room 212
The O'Dea Math Club is open to all students interested in exploring the field of Mathematics and participating in Mathematical competitions. Competitions are organized on a state and national level. Members have the opportunity to go to the UW Math Day each spring.
National Honor Society
Eligible Students: All Juniors and Seniors who have a cumulative 3.2 above and have demonstrated strong character, leadership and a commitment to service.
Moderators: Mrs. Toyo Nakayama
Meetings: Every Wednesday during lunch in Room 207. Officers meet Mondays during lunch in Room 207.
Honor society students commit themselves to a very high level of moral conduct in their school and public lives. They demonstrate and develop their leadership skills in a wide range of provided opportunities. These students commit to thirty (30) hours of community service outside of school hours.
O'Dea High School Ambassadors
Eligible Students:
- Are positive and enthusiastic about attending O’Dea High School
- Maintain grades of C and above in all subjects
- Interact positively with a variety of people from different schools and backgrounds
- Are self-confident, able to think on their feet, independent problem-solvers, and
team players
- Are approved by the Dean of Students and Office of Admission
Meetings: The student Ambassadors will normally speak before large and small groups of potential O'Dea students, providing an inside look at what it means to be a student at O'Dea. They need to attend an orientation meeting in the fall They will show students around school, present information about O’Dea to groups, and help at Open House in November.
Ping - Pong
Eligible Students: Open to all students
Moderator: Mr. Barrett Corrigan
Meetings: After school - outside of room 201
After school Ping-Pong provides an opportunity for all interested students to experience the fun and excitement of table tennis. Students enjoy the fast pace of the game that demands quick reactions. A skilled player can impart spin to the ball, which makes its bounce and its reaction on the opponent's paddle difficult to predict or return with confidence. Tables are set up after school for pickup games or tournaments.
Social Justice Team
Eligible Students: Open to all students
Moderator: Mr. David Olinger
Meetings: Every Tuesday during lunch in room 402
Social Justice Team members are individuals who have a deep concern for the poor and vulnerable within our local and global community. During the school year we organize school fund raisers, participate in community events and become involved in the local community through service. We root our philosophy in Catholic social teaching and often discuss important social and political issues. Activities include: Christmas Family Project, Aids Walk, Diabetes Walk, Cooking at the Family kitchen on Wednesdays, and the Thanksgiving Food Drive.