Thomas Jefferson

High School | Home of the Spartans

Clubs/Activities

Want to Start Your Own Club?

Don’t see what you’re looking for in the list below? Get together and start a club of your own. In order to be recognized as a official club at TJ, here’s what you need to do…

  • Decide the purpose and goal of your club
  • Find a Sponsor. This sponsor must be a TJ staff member
  • With your sponsor, decide your meeting times, goals, activities, and expectations
  • Inform Ms. Lupo of your club and all the information you have collected
  • Recruit members and have fun!

Current Clubs and Activities

Anime Club
Sponsor: Katie Fitzgerald – katie_fitzgerald@dpsk12.net
Meeting time: Wednesdays at Lunch in Room 123
Beginning in September 8 in Room 123 

Art Club
Sponsor: Lisa Freedberg – lisa_freedbergt@dpsk12.net
Meeting time: Thursdays at Lunch in Room 35 

Black Girls Rock Club
Sponsor: Bridget Couch – bridget_couch@dpsk12.net
Meeting time: Wednesdays at Lunch in Room 122

Black Student Alliance (BSA)
Sponsor: Kyler Jackson – kyler_jackson@dpsk12.net
Meeting time: Tuesdays at Lunch in Room 111, when available, and in Room 14 when not
Reach out to student Shana Saint-Phard (President)  for more information.

Book Club
Sponsor: Joe Smorol – JOSEPH_SMOROL@dpsk12.net
Meeting time: Wednesdays during Lunch in Room 215
Reach out to student Cynthia Cardoza for more information. 

Challenge 5280/Student Board
Sponsors: Jameelah Whimbush – jameelah_whimbush@dpsk12.net & Delores Leslie – delores_leslie@dpsk12.net
Meeting time: Tuesdays and Thursdays after school in room 121
Reach out to Student Representative Amir Tehrani for more information.  

In this club, students conduct research on a project around some kind of social justice inequity within our school and community. After identifying the problem, we work to find solutions, both immediate and through long term policy changes to address this inequity in order to make TJ a more welcoming space for all students. We compete with all other DPS high schools in the Challenge 5280 competition and present our projects to the Denver Public Schools Board of Education. Three students from the team also represent TJ students at Board meetings once a month as the Student Board of Education Representatives. Students receive elective credit for this club and there is an interview process at the beginning.

Chess Club
Sponsor: Nicholas Pratareli – nicholas_pratarelli@dpsk12.net
Meeting time: Thursdays at Lunch in Room 128
Reach out to student Logan Lloyd for more information. 

TJ Classical League
Sponsor: Amber Wilson – amber_wilson@dpsk12.net
Meeting time: Thursdays after school from 3-4pm in Room 219

But we do far more than just study the language of Ancient Rome. For instance we study Greek and Roman mythology, ancient Roman and Greek culture, literature from the time and everyone’s favorite… Food!! Studying Latin can help improve SAT scores being that much of English is derived from Latin roots and grammatical structures.  Students interested in medical, science and legal careers can also benefit as many terms used in these disciplines are Latin. We also participate in the annual Colorado Junior Classical League Competition. Last year, our first year participating, we came in fourth of 20 schools in the Latin Quiz Bowl. Most of those schools are charter and private schools with a focus on the classical studies.

Creative Writing Club
Sponsor: Jenn Stephenson-Steele – jennifer_stephenson-steele@dpsk12.net
Meeting time: Thursdays at Lunch in Room 221 

Why should we write? All students write for good grades, and to communicate, but how often do you get to write what you really think? How often do you get to dig into the treasure trove of stories that is your brain? Or how often do you get to twirl a phrase on the end of your pencil as you craft a poem? The truth is, people write for all sorts of reasons, but we can all get better. Join me in creating a community of creative writers at TJ! Together, we will discuss craft, we will talk about the professional side of writing, look at inspiring examples and give each other constructive feedback on how to make our writing better. This is a creative club, so let your imagination dance across the page during our Wednesday lunch time meetings. All genre’s (fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, children’s stories, drama, song-writing, slam poetry, graphic novels, and comics etc.) are welcome and encouraged to attend, all grade levels are invited. Please join me in creating new worlds using language like a spell to entrance our audience!

DECA
Sponsor: Matt Nicolo – MATTHEW_NICOLO@dpsk12.net
Meeting info: TBD 

DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe. With over a 60 year history, DECA has touched the lives of more than ten million students, educators, school administrators and business professionals. Their strong connection with our organization has resonated into a brand that people identify as a remarkable experience in the preparation of emerging leaders and entrepreneurs. Check out the TJ DECA website for more information: http://tjdeca.tjcctweb.com/

Digital Media Club
Sponsor: Lea Wagner – Lea_Wagner@dpsk12.net
Meeting time: Every other Wednesday during Lunch in Room 110
Starting on September 14th, 2022
Reach out to student leaders Emmanuel Wadkins and Keagen Figuroa for more information. 

Drama Club
Sponsor: Andre Moss – ANDRE_MOSS@dpsk12.net
Meeting time: Tuesdays during Lunch and after school, as needed in Room 223/Auditorium

Drumline
Sponsor: Robin Morrissey – robin_morrissey@dpsk12.net
Meeting time: Tuesdays & Thursdays after school in Room 148 |This group performs at home football & basketball games, pep rallies, and community events. 

D&D Club (Dungeons & Dragons)
Sponsor: Jason Klimczak – jason_klimczak@dpsk12.net
Meeting time: Wednesdays at Lunch in Room 225

This club is for people who want to unleash their imaginations through board game based role playing. Our goal is to create a creative and fun environment for TJ staff and students.

Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA)
Sponsor: Kyler Jackson – kyler_jackson@dpsk12.net
Meeting time: Thursdays at Lunch in Room 14

Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA)
Sponsors: Megan Miccio, Marianna Barclay, & Andre Moss  – MEGAN_MICCIO_@dpsk12.net, MARIANNA_BARCLAY@dpsk12.net, ANDRE_MOSS@dpsk12.net
Meeting time: Thursday at lunch in Room 238 

The Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) is a student-run club which provides a safe place for students to meet, support each other, talk about issues related to sexual orientation, and work to end homophobia and other instances of prejudice, discrimination and intolerance. We function as a support group and provide safety and confidentiality to students who are struggling with their identity as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or questioning. In addition to support, we work on educating ourselves and the broader school community about sexual orientation and gender identity issues. We sometimes bring in outside speakers to cover a particular topic such as GLBTQ history or bullying. The GSA also organizes educational workshops, panels, and pride celebrations and celebrates specific annual events such as Ally Week and Day of Silence.

Gaming Club
Sponsor: Rose Ordway – ROSE_ORDWAY@dpsk12.net
Meeting time: Fridays after school in Room 34
TJ Gaming Club is a place where all gamers are welcome! During club meetings, we’ll play an assortment of games on the Switch, Xbox, Playstation, or PC. If you like gaming at all this is the club for you!

Government Education Club
Sponsor: James Stephenson
Meeting time: Tuesdays at Lunch in Room 229 

JROTC
Sponsors: Maj. Dennis Campbell, SFC Scott Johns, & CW4 Charles Gaines dcampb3@dpsk12.net, scott_johns@dpsk12.net, cgaines@dpsk12.net
Meeting times: JROTC is an elective course and is part of your daily schedule. The drill and drone teams meet after school. Exact schedule will be posted at the start of the school year.

Drill Teams:  Drill-Chief Gaines; HP-MAJ Campbell

Drones\Cyber: SFC Johns; MAJ Campbell

Summer camp: MAJ Campbell, SFC Johns, Chief Gaines

Click here for website  (website under construction)

Hispanic-Latino Club
Sponsor: Lynne Valencia – lynne_valencia-hernandez@dpsk12.net
Meeting time: Wednesdays at Lunch in Room 218 

We partner with Affiliates across the city of Denver to serve Hispanic/Latinos of Thomas Jefferson High School in the areas of civic engagement, civil rights and immigration, education, workforce and the economy, health, and housing. We believe in fighting for our community and for an America where economic, political, and social advancement is a reality for all Hispanics/Latinos.  This is an organization for people who are Hispanic/Latino OR for people who appreciate Hispanic/Latino culture. If you fall into one of these categories, then this is the club for you!

Interact Club
Sponsor: Matt Nicolo – MATTHEW_NICOLO@dpsk12.net
Meeting time: Mondays at Lunch in Room 108

International, National and Local Community Service Projects.  Student auxiliary of ROTARY International.  (The Denver Tech Center Rotary Club).

Reach out to student president, Delina Abraham, for more information.  

Jazz & Modern Band
Sponsor: Robin Morrissey – ROBIN_MORRISSEY@dpsk12.net
Meeting time: Tuesdays & Thursdays after school in Room 148 from 4:30-5:45pm 

Jewish Student Connection Club
Sponsor: Amber Wilson – AMBER_WILSON@dpsk12.net
Meeting time: Mondays at Lunch in Room 219 

Reach out to students, Emily Brown (President) and Jake Scobey (Vice President), for more information.   

Jewish Student Connection Club celebrates the intersection between Jewish and American culture, tradition, and values and nurtures understanding and allyship among Jewish and non-Jewish students alike. Everyone is welcome to come every other Friday, eat pizza, and build a community.

Math Club
Sponsor: Nicolas Pratarelli – NICHOLAS_PRATARELLI@dpsk12.net
Meeting Time: Wednesdays at Lunch in Room 128

Muslim Student Alliance
Sponsor: Mr. Strasinger & Ms. Kalinchuk
Meeting time: Wednesdays at Lunch in Room 7
Purpose: To empower Muslim students by exemplifying their voices and building a sense of community. It’s also about sharing knowledge, debunking misconceptions about Islam, and celebrating one another.

National Honor Society
Sponsor: Dana Starbuck – DANA_STARBUCK@dpsk12.net
Meeting time: Tuesdays or Thursdays in Room 125
Every spring Juniors and Seniors are invited to apply based on a GPA of 3.7 or higher. Can get 5 credits of independent study for Humanities.

Project Like a Girl: TJ Women’s Empowerment Club
Sponsor: Laura Prow – LAURA_PROW@dpsk12.net
Meeting time: Thursdays at Lunch in Room 10 

Reach out to students,  Rachel VanWagner and Kalell Medina, for more information.

Ping Pong Club
Sponsor: Sean Silvers – sean_silvers@dpsk12.net
Meeting time: Tuesdays after school, 3-4pm in the Dance Room
Beginning on September 13th, 2022

Playing Cards Club
Sponsor: Joe Smorol – joseph_smorol@dpsk12.net
Thursdays at Lunch in Room 216

Reach out to students Ravi Apte & Alex Baca for more information

SkillsUSA
Sponsor: Jerry Esparza – Jerome_Esparza@dpsk12.net
Meeting time: Once or twice a month on Fridays in Room 105
Dates TBD at a later time and shared with members  

SkillsUSA is a CTSO student organization with a focus on Career Tech. It is for any TJ student currently enrolled in the CTE or CCT program.  It is a partnership of students, teachers and industry representatives, working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. It helps each student excel in leadership and technology skills. The current skills participation is 3D, Web Design Video, Photography, and Programming.  This student chapter meets about once a month to organize community service, social events, fundraisers, and conduct technical competition. Check the TJ SkillsUSA website for more information: http://www.skillsusa.org 

Sources of Strength
Sponsors: Megan Miccio & Emily Lupo – MEGAN_MICCIO@dpsk12.net & EMILY_LUPO@dpsk12.net
Students must participate in a Peer Leader training prior to joining. The date(s) and time(s) of this will be communicated out at a later date and it will only occur once this school year.
Sources of Strength Peer Leaders are a diverse group of individuals who leverage their personal and collective leadership qualities as well as their social influence in leading the charge in norming and culture change campaigns using strength-based messages to impact multiple issues including suicide. 

Speech & Debate
Sponsor: Nicole Benak – nicole_benak@dpsk12.net
Meeting time: Email Ms. Benak for details 

By following the creed and regulations of the National Speech and Debate Association (or the NSDA), we will build and improve upon the foundations of communication you would learn in a language arts class, add the creativity and fun of a drama class, and build a skill set that will leave you well equipped to take on any profession (not to mention, this will look AMAZING on your college applications). This is considered a CHSAA sport. 

Spirituality Club
Sponsor: James Stephenson – james_stephenson@dpsk12.net
Meeting time: Every other Friday at Lunch in Room 229
Beginning on September 16th 

Tarot, crystals, astrology, and other elements of spirituality. 

Sustainability Club
Sponsor: Maggie Kennedy – MARGARET_KENNEDY@dpsk12.net
Meeting time: Wednesdays during Lunch in Room 120
Reach out to student president, Kendall Hougard, for more information. 

Tri-M Music Honor Society / Music Leadership
Sponsor: Robin Morrissey – ROBIN_MORRISSEY@dpsk12.net
Meeting time: Fridays during lunch in Room 148 

All students in choir, band &/or orchestra are welcome to come to meetings and help guide our conversations. Membership is the Tri-M is based on a GPA of 3.7 or higher.

TJ USA (United Student Alliance)
Sponsor: Melanie Scism – Melanie_Scism-Martinez@dpsk23.net
Meeting time: Wednesdays in Room 111 at Lunch

Wrestling Club
Sponsor: Matt Nicolo
Meeting time: Fridays at Lunch in Room 108
Students will meet to discuss wrestling, how to get better, create a plan for improvement, and utilize the wrestling room later on in the school year. Reach out to student Adriel Trejo for more information. 

Young Men of Purpose
Sponsor: Rico Wint – rico.wint@gmail.com
Meeting time: Fridays at Lunch in Room 111 

Email Rico for more information prior to joining