Clubs & Organizations

"The Club" Teen Center

Twitter: @BGCofPicoRivera

The Club at El Rancho is a free after school program open to all ERHS students. We are open Monday – Friday from 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm, and 12:25 pm – 3:25 pm on minimum days. We offer tutoring, dance, and visual arts programs along with cool events and volunteer opportunities. Applications can be found online, in the front office, and in The Club bungalow on campus next to the baseball field. Applications are accepted year round, so join today!


Academic Decathlon

Faculty Advisers: Steve Francis, Carlos Melgar

Description: An academically rigorous extra-curricular opportunity extended to juniors and seniors who have demonstrated exceptional scholarship in and outside of the classroom. Through teacher nominations, performance on Advanced Placement and CST exams, cumulative GPAs, and possible interviews, a minimum of nine (9) students are selected to compete yearly. In turn, they become multi-talented scholars through the exploration and investigation of a rotating theme surrounding ten (10) pre-designated fields (art, science, history, math, economics, music, essay, speech, interview, language & literature).

American Sign Language (ASL)

Faculty Adviser: Christina Padilla
Student President: Christian Angeles
Meetings: lunch, A-209 (check ASL Google Classroom for specific dates).

Description: To afford students the opportunity to learn, practice, and expand their knowledge of ASL and the Deaf community with fellow students.

How to join: Show up to a meeting

Google Classroom Code: wlha7nf

Animal Advocates

Faculty Adviser: Marcella Lamar
Student President: To be announced
Meetings: Tuesdays, lunch, A-204

Description: Our goals are to educate the school community about animal related issues and advocate for the animals in our community. We fundraise and have field trips which are both fun and educational.

How to join: Show up!

Architecture, Construction, Engineering Club

Faculty Adviser: Cynthia Lippstreu
Student President: To be announced
Meetings: Every other Wednesday after school with Professional Mentors, and occasionally at lunch in X6

Description: Students with an interest in Architecture, Construction, Engineering, and STEM related careers. Explore Architecture, Raspberry Pi, VEX Robotics, and PLTW Engineering related activities and projects. We have affiliations with ACE. ACE members learn from professional mentors working in the ACE fields and participate in field days, and, in the spring, work on a culminating project. Seniors have scholarship opportunities.

How to join: Google Classroom Code UYZ7YQ5.

Astronomy Club

Faculty Adviser: Cynthia Lippstreu
Student President: Alessandro Franco
Meetings: Every other Wed at lunch in X6.

Description: Students with an interest in expanding their knowledge of planets, stars, black holes, galaxies, and the universe. Spark an interest in amateur astronomy and explore the night sky with portable telescopes.

How to join: Google Classroom Code XX3UUJP.

AVID Club

Faculty Adviser: Ryan Porter, Thomas Jimenez, Philipp Rojo
Student President: To be announced
Meetings: Tuesdays at lunch

Description: AVID stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination. We are a college prep program that ensures that every student is accepted into a four-year university. AVID club at El Rancho fundraises, plans events and community service for the AVID program.

How to join: To join you need to be in the AVID elective class. All AVID students are welcome.

California Scholarship Federation (CSF)

Adviser: Claire Stubendorff
Student President: Maya Elias
Meetings: Second and Fourth Mondays of the month in S-1 at lunch

Description: The CSF promotes scholarship and service. Members who meet a demanding academic criteria may graduate with the gold cord. Members raise funds for scholarships and field trips. At the club meetings, they receive info on colleges, scholarships, and additional educational opportunities.

How to join: Applications for each semester are available in the CCC.

Choraleers

Faculty Adviser: John Rush
Meetings: Everyday (it's a class)

Description: The Choraleers is an advanced mixed choir that sings in many festivals and competitions all over Southern California. The group sings many different styles of music, sings a cappella and studies music theory.

How to join: Audition Required

Cultural Awareness Club

Faculty Adviser: Christina Mata, Thomas Jimenez
Student President: Mariah Cruz
Twitter: @CAwarenessERHS
Meetings: Last Friday of the Month, Lunch, A206

Description: The purpose of this club is to celebrate diversity and exercise open-mindedness. We also go on excursions and trips to experience other cultures.

How to join: attend the monthly meetings and follow @CawarenessERHS on twitter

Culinary Arts Club

Faculty Adviser: Chef Luna
Student President: Anthony Somoza
Alumni President: Isaiah Copado
Twitter: @chefdluna
Meetings: daily, Q-4

Description: The Culinary Arts Club is a life changing continuous learning opportunity with over 400 active members including alumni from the past 9 years. The club feeds the homeless every thanksgiving and throughout the year and also participates with Top Chef Invasion, City of Hope, Children's Hospitals, Anti-bullying projects, Private celebrity events, Culinary competitions and supports community outreach. The club also does nutrition training for athletes and demos on healthy eating habits.

How to join: See Chef Luna in Q-4

Dons 4 Christ

Adviser: Paul Brandt
Student President: To be announced
Meetings: Tuesdays & Thursdays, lunchtime, B-104

Description: Dons 4 Christ's mission is to first grow as believers and followers of Jesus Christ. As the club grows, we try to impact the campus and impact the community for the greater good. If anyone wants to change this world, come to B-104 because of the environment, fellowship, and truth.

How to join: Anyone is welcome to join. Just come join us in B-104 during lunch Tuesdays and Thursdays.

EL Rancho Advocacy Project (E.R.A.P)

Faculty Advisers: Juventino Gutierrez, Judi Gollette
Student President: Soledad Mendez
Twitter: @ElRanchoAP
Meetings: Every second and last Wednesdays of the month

Description: The El Rancho Advocacy Project (ERAP) is an El Rancho High School Club whose goal is to heighten the awareness of students and faculty to the rights, needs, and responsibilities of students, family members, and faculty who happen to have diverse abilities.

How to join: ERAP is open to all ERHS students with a desire to advocate for equal access and opportunities for all.

El Rancho Theater (Thespians)

Faculty Adviser: Leticia Vejarano
Website: Link

Description: El Rancho Theatre produces two full-length shows each year. In addition, it hosts an annual Haunted Maze and Christmas show. The Improv team puts on three Lunch Bag Theatre performances where they entertain audiences with improvised sketches and games. Our troupe, Troupe #2164, is an active member of The International Thespian Society.The Society is comprised of worldwide high school actors/actresses who have been initiated at high schools after contributing 100-plus extracurricular hours to a performing arts program. Troupe #2164 has been active since the 1970s.

How to join: Visit our website for more details.

Executive Commission

Faculty Adviser: Jesus Magdaleno
Twitter: @ElRanchoHSASB
ASB President: Monica Aguirre
Meetings: 4th period

Description: We are the official ASB Student Government of ERHS. Our 18 members are comprised of the ASB President, Vice-President, Chief Justice, Secretary and Treasurer; the three class presidents (10th-12th); the three class vice presidents (10th-12th) and the nine commissioners (Boys/Girls Athletics, Academic Affairs, Assembly, Pep, Publicity, Technology, Activities and Dance). During our meetings, we approve all ASB fundraising requests and disbursements. We plan events such as Homecoming Week, Winter Formal, Winterbelle, Prom, and many others.

How to join: Each May, school-wide elections are held to choose members for the upcoming school year.

HOSA: Future Health Professionals

Faculty Advisers: Patricia McCaw, Cecilio Alonso, Dr. Kristen Ross.
Twitter: @ElRanchoHOSA
Student President: Maria Juarez
Meetings: Every other Wednesday, during lunch in Y-3

Description: Interested in careers in the health and mental health professions? Join HOSA. The Chapter empowers members to become leaders in the health care community through education, collaboration, and experience. HOSA-Future Health Professionals promotes physical, mental and social well being. Learn to develop effective leadership qualities and skills, the ability to communicate more effectively with people, develop character, develop responsible citizenship traits and build self-confidence and pride in one's work.

How to join: Pick-up an application in Rm. Y-3, Mrs. McCaw

Instrumental Music (Marching Band etc)

Director: John Rush
Meetings: Rehearsals after school and Class periods

Description: The El Rancho Instrumental Music Program hosts a selection of music ensembles: Marching Band, Drum Line, Color Guard, Jazz Ensemble, String Orchestra and Marichi bands. The Marching band is comprised of El Rancho students who perform at many different venues such as Varsity football games and boys/girls basketball games, parades, field shows, and concerts. mondays: come to z4 mondays after school to play jazz with the jazz club. 3-4pm. tuesdays/wednesdays: come to z4 tuesdays and wednesdays and play band music with the band club. 3-4pm. thursdays: come to z4 on thursdays and play with the mariachi club. 3-4pm. fridays: marching and music dons. come play with the marching dons band. show your spirit and support our team. meet at z4. 5pm.

How to join: Contact Mr. Rush in Z-4 for details regarding joining one of the performing groups.

Key Club

Faculty Adviser: Jim Sorenson
Student President: Yuliana Chavez
Web Page: Link
Twitter: @ElRanchoKeyClub
Meetings: Mondays, lunch, Q-2 (on holiday Mondays, meeting is on Wednesday)

Description: Key Club is a service organization whose members are dedicated to improving their community. Key Club has participated in Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF, float building for the Rose Bowl Parade, clothing donations for homeless shelters, and hosts five blood drives each year. ER's Key Club is sponsored by the La Mirada Kiwanis Club.

How to join: Each member must pay dues of $12 per year. Each member must be a student of El Rancho. Members must attend meetings and participate in club activities.

Latino Club

Faculty Adviser: Melinda Aguilar and Karen Maldonado
Student President: To be announced
Twitter: @ERHSLatinoClub
Meetings: Wednesdays, lunch, G-3

Description: The members of the Latino Club believe that all Latino cultures deserve to be heard and represented. We meet to learn about Latinos’ influence on the past and present, celebrate Latino holidays, eat food from various Latino cultures, and discuss ways to create cultural awareness and unity on campus. Because we want to be contributing members to society and to our community, we take field trips to colleges and volunteer for community service. All students, not just Latinos, are welcome!

How to join: Attend a meeting at any point during the year.

Leos Club

Faculty Adviser: Kathy Metaxas
Student President: To be announced
Twitter: @ERHSleos
Meetings: Tuesdays at lunch in L101 in the library.

Description: The objective of the Leo Club is to provide the students of El Rancho with an opportunity to better their community through volunteerism and community service. The Leo Club Motto is:
   Leadership - Develop skills as a project organizer, time manager, and team leader.
   Experience - Learn how teamwork, cooperation, and collaboration can bring exciting changes to your community and the world.
   Opportunity - Make friends and feel the rewards or community service.
This year the Leo Club will participate in the Bolsa Chica Beach Clean-Up, Trick or Treat for Hunger, Pico Rivera Christmas basket distribution, Rose Parade float decoration, Teresita Pines Youth Symposium, and many more worthwhile events and activities!

How to join: Come join us Tuesdays at lunch in A101.

Math Club: "El Rancho Advanced Math League" (ERAML)

Faculty Adviser: Steve Francis
Student President: To be announced
Twitter: @i8mathclub
Meetings: Tuesday & Thursday at lunch, I-8

Description: Students with an interest in Math come together to discuss and solve problems not normally taught in the classroom. Math Club also participates in competitions.

How to join: See Mr. Francis in I-8 or come in Tues/Thurs at lunch.

National Honors Society (NHS)

Faculty Adviser: John Phan
Student President: To be announced
Meetings: 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month at O-4 during lunch

Description: The National Honors Society (NHS) promotes scholarship and service. Members who meet a demanding academic criteria may graduate with the red, white, andsad cord. Members raise funds for scholarships and field trips. At the club meetings, they receive info on colleges, scholarships, and college/ career readiness programs.

How to join: Applications at the start of the school year at the CCC or O-4.

Newstaff

Faculty Adviser: Paul Zeko
Print Edition Editor in Chief: Grecia Haro-Flores
Online Edition Editor in Chief: Araceli Correa
Social Media Editor in Chief: Flor Calderon
Twitter: @elrodeonews
Meetings: daily, 6th period, X-1

Description: The Newspaper Staff is made up of approximately 25 students who meet as a class during 6th period. Students learn computer and journalism skills in the process of producing the school newspaper, El Rodeo.

How to join: There are no specific age or other prerequisites to join; however space is limited and competition is high. A written application is made available around spring break for the upcoming school year. Basically, we are seeking those students who enjoy writing and would like to report on campus life and all things important to the Don student body.

Pride Alliance (GSA)

Faculty Adviser: Kathy Metaxas
Twitter: @erhs_pa
Student President: To be announced
Meetings: Wednesdays at lunch in L101 in the library

Description: The El Rancho Pride Alliance brings together LGBT+ youth and welcomes their allies (both students and teachers), to fight homophobia on the campus and in the community, advocating for equal treatment for youth of all sexual orientations. Our club members strive to bring change; to make the school environment free of homophobic, sexual, verbal, and physical harassment. We also hang out, eat, and have fun! We will coordinate outings, dances, movie nights, and other activities. In addition to talking about relevant, political issues facing the LGBT community and others, members can bring up personal issues they are facing by using one-on-one or group discussion. We hope to create a safe place to offer support, resources, and comradery. Our #1 rule is confidentiality: What happens in our club, stays in the club.

How to join: Come to our meetings!

Robotics

Faculty Adviser: Cynthia Lippstreu, Juan Perezchica
Student President: James Curiel
Meetings: Sometimes Wednesdays after school, Sometimes Saturdays

Description: We provide students an opportunity to learn about programming and design robots. We may enter Math and Science competitions against other local schools. We also help in tutoring and keep informed about college programs, events, and deadlines.

How to join: Google class code 5DGZALZ

Social Justice Club

Faculty Adviser: Parvin Qureshi
Student President: To be announced
Twitter: @SocialJusticeER
Meetings: Wednesdays at Lunch in A208

Description: The Social Justice Club is dedicated to promoting peace, raising awareness of human rights, and creating unity among diverse peoples.

How to join: Anyone is welcome to join! Come by at lunch on Wednesdays in A208

Song Team

Faculty Adviser: Cynthia Lippstreu
Student Presidents: Darla Valerio, Ava Badillo
Meetings: 6th period class, plus after school practices

Description: The Song Team is full of Blue Pride. We keep the school spirit level high throughout the school year and perform at school sporting events, pep rallies, assemblies, and encourage the crowd to support El Rancho’s athletes. We do leaps, turns, kicks, and will be expanding our knowledge in all aspects of dancing and choreography.

How to join: Email the adviser: cLippstreu@erusd.org.

Spanish Club

Faculty Adviser: Daniela Aparicio, Elia Trujillo
Student President:
Twitter: @erhsspanishclub
Meetings: 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month

Description: The Spanish Club is a place outside of the classroom for students who have a passion for the Spanish-speaking culture. We'll participate in activities to enrich our knowledge and passion for the Hispanic culture. the club understands the importance of helping the community by participating in community service projects. This club is student-led, providing students with the chance to develop their leadership skills and make a difference in their community.

How to join:

Sports Medicine Club

Faculty Adviser: Dr. Kristen Ross
Student President: Karla Rivas
Twitter: @SportsERHS
Instagram: @Erhssportsmed
Meetings: Every other Thursday, during lunch in Q-1

Description: Students who are interesting in a career is sports medicine, will have to opportunity to learn and practice hands on skills such as taping and bandaging, injury prevention, first-aid/CPR, and emergency response. Students should be enrolled in or interested in taking ROP sports medicine. Students will also participate in multiple academic competitions on specific skills in sports medicine versus other high school sports medicine students in California.

How to join: Inquire in Q-1 With Dr. Ross