Clubs

The American Civil War History Club meets several times throughout the school year in room 2W2. Meeting topics range from discussing Civil War battle strategies to tours at Forest Lawn Cemetery. For more information, contact Mr. Sam Rizzo ’97 at rizzo@canisiushigh.org.

The Anime Club meets once a week at Canisius. Students in the club watch Japanese animation movies or TV series. Students also attend conventions at local colleges, movie showings at theaters, and workshops at local libraries. For more information, contact Ms. Schaller at schaller@canisiushigh.org.

Art Club meets weekly. Members have open studio time for personal projects and cooperative work with like-minded artists. The art club also mentors students from St. Augustine school each spring and sponsors school-wide art projects such as the Annual Sidewalk Art Contest.  For more information, contact Ms. Ignaczak at ignaczak@canisiushigh.org.

The Auditorium Tech Crew is a team of dedicated students who work together to meet the lighting needs of events held in the CHS Auditorium. The crew provides illumination for drama and musical productions, school Masses and assemblies, award and graduation ceremonies, and school dances. For more information, contact Mr. Hayes at hayes@canisiushigh.org.

The Book Club meets once a month in the Library study room. Students in the club decide on a book to read and discuss each month.

All students are invited to join the CHS Chamber Choir.  The Chamber Choir is made up of CHS students and singers from local girls’ schools.  Besides performing choral music for mixed voices, the men of the Chamber Choir frequently present a cappella music on their own.  For more information, contact Mr. Durkin at durkink@canisiushigh.org.

The Chess Club meets almost every day in 1E3, where members stay after school to enjoy a few matches before heading home to study. Students in the Chess Club attend monthly tournaments at which they play against other high school teams.

The Canisius Climbing and Adventure Club is open to any student interested in rock climbing, hiking, mountain biking, snowshoeing and a variety of other activities. Students will meet on designated Gold Periods to plan excursions and learn more about safety and best practices in the outdoors, including leave no trace principles. Every Thursday, after school, the club will meet at Central Rock Gym on Chicago Street in Buffalo to climb in the indoor climbing facility.  Students are responsible for the day fee as well as transportation to and from Central Rock Gym.  Mr. Beecher will be present at Central Rock Gym from 3:30-5:30. For more information, contact Mr. Dennis Beecher ’88 at beecher@canisiushigh.org.

Crusaders Against Cancer is a collection of Canisius students and teachers who work together raising money to aid in cancer research as well as educating our community on ways to be supportive of those suffering the effects of cancer. Some of our major fundraisers have included the Relay for Life benefitting the American Cancer Society, as well as our Annual 3v3 Basketball Tournament. This year we will be looking to expand into more community service opportunities and fundraisers through Roswell Park. Contact Mrs. Julie Hogan hogan@canisiushigh.org.

Crusaders for America’s Heroes are a group of students and faculty dedicated to raising awareness of and money for the vital work that WNYHeroes, Inc., does for veterans of all wars who live in the WNY region. We volunteer at the annual Red, White & Blue Gala, support families in the Adopt-a-Veteran-Family holiday program, and sponsor annual fundraisers and activities related to veterans’ issues. Contact Dr. Amy Kimmel at kimmel@canisiushigh.org.

The Culinary Club meets once a month. Local restaurant chefs are invited to the meetings to teach their favorite recipes to students. The Culinary Club also serves the community, cooking annually for the Ronald McDonald House. For more information, contact Ms. Luciana Galante at galante@canisiushigh.org.

The Drama Guild is comprised of students interested in participating in CHS theatrical productions. Students in the Guild participate as actors, singers, dancers, musicians, stage crew personnel, set construction and painting personnel, makeup artists, and stage managers. The Guild puts on a drama or comedy in the fall semester and a musical in the spring semester. For more information, please contact Mr. Hayes at hayes@canisiushigh.org.

The Jazz ensemble meets before school and plays a varied jazz repertoire. The ensemble performs at various events throughout Western New York for community members as well as school functions. Students can join the ensemble upon auditioning. For more information, contact Ms. Jennifer Johnson at johnson@canisiushigh.org.

Medical Club provides students insight into the medical field and specific knowledge on how to pursue careers in medicine. Activities have included lectures and guest speakers as well as visits to hospitals, medical campuses, medical schools, and research labs. In support of UNYTS, medical club student ORGANizers, plans various events throughout the year with a focus on increasing awareness about organ, tissue, and blood donation among peers. Blood drives planned in conjunction with the Upstate New York Transplant Services support this objective. For more information about medical club / student ORGANizers contact Nurse Keating at keating@canisiushigh.org or Mrs. Annette Sugg at sugg@canisiushigh.org. For more information about UNYTS Blood Drives, contact Mrs. Annette Sugg at sugg@canisiushigh.org.

The Mock Trial team meets on various weekday evenings from November through March. The Mock Trial season is centered around a single, hypothetical case. Students fill roles as attorneys and witnesses for both sides of the case, and competitions against other schools in the Erie County tournament offer a chance to test students’ argumentation, speaking, and acting skills. For more information, contact Mr. Bryce Hopkins ‘08 at hopkins@canisiushigh.org.

The Pep Band is our student ensemble of instrumentalists who play at sporting events to entertain and energize spectators. For more information, contact Ms. Jennifer Johnson at johnson@canisiushigh.org.

The Canisius Robotics Teams competes against other schools through organized scrimmages and tournaments. We work with students to build complete teams, working collaboratively toward a common goal.  As a school, we have chosen to compete using the VEX EDR platform. For more information, contact Mrs. Karen Nicosia at nicosia@canisiushigh.org.

The CHS Science Olympiad offers opportunities for students to compete at the local, regional, and state levels in 25 different events covering all scientific disciplines and principles of engineering. The two CHS teams practice twice a week from September to March and multiple competitions each year. For more information, contact Mrs. Lisa Schrader at schrader@canisiushigh.org.

Ski Club takes place 8 Fridays after school in the winter. On these cold, snowy days, the members of the club take busses from CHS to Holiday Valley before hitting the slopes. At the end of the evening, participating students are bussed back to CHS. For more information, contact Mr. Dennis Beecher '88 at beecher@canisiushigh.org.

The CHS Writers’ Club meets for two hours twice a month. Students in the club use this time for writing exercises and to share original projects in order to garner constructive criticism. Some members of Writers’ Club also participate in National Novel Writing Month, in which they are challenged to write a 50,000 word novel in the month of November. For more information, contact Dr. Amy Kimmel at kimmel@canisiushigh.org.

The Allied Student Union is a club aimed at creating, supporting, and engaging with other student unions. The ASU focuses on creating a more equitable experience for Canisius students, and is open to all crusaders of all backgrounds. Consider joining if you have passion for social justice, student leadership, or just wish to help Canisius be a more welcoming environment.  For more information contact Mr. Charles Ehlers at ehlers@canisiushigh.org or visit him in the Center for Excellence.

Originated in 2020, the Black Student Union is a group formed to help the black students of Canisius High School feel at home.  Our main goal here is to help guide our fellow classmates into learning how to be successful black men. In this group we are like a family, we talk, play games, and help those in need. If you are an incoming black student looking for friends just like you, look into joining the BSU.  We will welcome you with open arms.  For more information, contact Mr. Charles Ehlers at ehlers@canisiushigh.org or visit him in the Center for Excellence

The Canisius Flight Club is open to anyone interested in aviation: becoming a pilot, an aerospace engineer, an air traffic controller, or joining the military. Spend time on our flight simulator, learn about aviation, and compete in our pilot skills competitions. Join us in Room 3E4 to see a live demonstration of the flight simulator! For more information contact Dr. Mark Veronica at veronica@canisiushigh.org

The Christian club meets once a week in the campus ministry room. Meeting topics can range from bible-study to reflections. For more information contact Fr. Frederico at frederico@canisiushigh.org

CHS Digital Media offers students opportunities to develop their talents through valuable real-life marketing and communications experience as they create social media -- from tweets to TikToks – and produce photography, video and various forms of writing. Students will work with the CHS Communications Office and learn how to best cover various school events, activities and personalities across academics, arts, athletics, service and more. Producing media for CHS will be eligible for service hours. For more information, contact Mr. Keith McShea, Canisius director of communications, at McShea@canisiushigh.org

The Euchre Club is a social club, meant to unwind and have fun that meets bi-weekly in 2E5.  We have a diverse group of students who partner up to learn and play the game of Euchre, a card game of strategy that originated in Alsace and that was brought over to the US by German immigrants.  There is absolutely no experience necessary; we have and will continue to work to teach students with all levels of knowledge regarding the game.  Some students even opt to gather and play alternative card games.  Snacks are typically provided, often times involving baked goods such as cookies and brownies.  For more information contact Mrs. Melissa Langworthy langworthy@canisiushigh.org or Mrs. Ann Marie Moscovic moscovic@canisiushigh.org

Cubing club is for students who are interested in the Rubik’s cube. Would you like to learn how to solve a 3x3 Rubik’s cube? Do you already know how to solve a cube and want to learn how to solve even bigger and more complicated cubes? If you answered yes to either of these questions then join our club! For more information, contact Mrs. Schrader at schrader@canisiushigh.org or stop by M303.

The Financial Intelligence Club is a student run group that will meet every 1 or 2 weeks after school.  We will discuss income, savings, spending and investment opportunities.  For more information contact Mr. Scott Walters in M103 or walters@canisiushigh.org.

Plan:

To teach kids about fishing and local conservation. Will introduce kids to local fishing sites, species, techniques and hold club-only competitions with the potential to compete on a national scale.

Tournaments:

We will be running club tournaments based on seasonal fish that will lead to prizes including charter trips, gift cards, and more. 

Educational value:

We will also have talks from local and national pros to talk about fishing and educate the students on what it means to be an angler and outdoorsman.

Service:

We will also do service trips to local fishing spots to clean and remove litter and garbage so that more kids have access to a healthy ecosystem for fishing. 

For more information contact Mr. Levi Trimble at trimble@canisiushigh.org

Model UN meets Fridays in room 3E5. Members of this club discuss world problems and prepare for Model UN conferences. At the conferences, which are designed to replicate United Nations conferences, students are assigned to be representatives of a UN member country. For more information, contact Mr. Novotny at novotny@canisiushigh.org   

CHS is a school serving young men of diverse backgrounds. The CHS Alliance consists of students dedicated to fostering inclusion, compassion and respect for LGBT+ students.  The Alliance seeks to provide spaces for conversation and to build bridges among students so that all feel welcomed and valued in the school community.  For more information contact Fr. C at ciancimino@canisiushigh.org

Moderated by Mr. Craig Hinchcliffe and founded by student Elijah Soe, this club is a place where students with creative minds and talents come together to discuss and ponder what makes a great game.  Open to all that are interested and especially to those who inspire to be writers, artists and composers, the club will work on cooperation skills and enhance the ability to adapt.  For more information stop by 3E2 or contact sophomore Elijah Soe or Mr. Hinchcliffe at hinchcliffe@canisiushigh.org