Mount Vernon principal Bob Haugse made a presentation on the many clubs and activities available at Mount Vernon Middle School not related to athletics.

A video produced by Susannah Maddocks classes highlighted interviews with students and teachers of many of the clubs.

Middle school jazz band meets 7:30 a.m. December through May.

Director Elise Rodenberg said the jazz band started with roughly five to six members, but has grown over the past 10 years.

“My favorite thing about the club is everyone is motivated to be here,” Rodenberg said. “Students have the opportunity to work with students from different grades and work with other musician.”

Success lab is offered Tuesdays and Thursdays after school. It’s an opportunity for students to get extra help on homework or completing a project.

Geography Bee is held in the winter and spring, and has roughly 20 competitors total.

Fellowship of Christian Athletes meets before school.

Quiz Bowl competes in fall and spring competitions by invitations. The purpose of the club is for students to have fun studying certain topics and see how they fare against other clubs.

Art Club meets Thursdays after school and tackles different art projects.

Science Olympiad meets twice a week after school.

Middle school musical is one of the newer clubs, started last school year.

“We just felt there was a gap in our theater program,” said Kristen Anderson, faculty sponsor. “We go from fifth grade musical and then there was a gap until high school. This was a way to fill that experience for kids.”

The group is working on High School Musical Jr. to be presented this winter.

Archery holds practices Tuesdays and Thursdays, as well as competes in tournaments throughout the winter.

Morning weight trainings are held Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings.

Haugse explained that it’s simple to start a club at the middle school – the club needs a staff sponsor to begin.

“What you see in that video is many of these clubs have 20 or more students,” Haugse said. “A lot of the staff that sponsor them volunteer their time to have these opportunities for students. We’re able to do a lot of great things because we have a lot of kids and teachers that participate and offer these clubs.”

Robotics and Yearbook Club were two additional clubs not featured in the video that have high participation and involvement from students at the middle school.

When it came to how to support clubs moving forward, Haugse said funding for extra duties schedules when clubs get sanctioned is important. Potentially, help finding more space for the weight room as that club continues to expand as well.