El Rancho offers a wide variety of clubs and organizations to suit many interests.

If you don't see one you like, consider starting your own!!

See Lil Gonzalez in the Activities Office for details on getting official school approval.

Clubs and Organizations

Academic Decathlon

Faculty Adviser: Dawn Lam

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 "Renaissance Men" 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).

Animal Advocates

Faculty Adviser: Marcella Lamar

Student President: Claudia Rodriguez

Meetings: Tuesdays, lunch, A-204

Description: Fundraisers, educational seminars, volunteer work with animals, primarily domestic.

How to join: Show up!

Annual Staff

Faculty Adviser: John Crone

Student Editors: Osiris Arteaga, Kamille Mancina, Carmela Nevarez, Daisy Santa Ana.

Web Page: Link

Meetings: daily, 5th period, B-101

Description: Yearbook Staff is made up of approximately 20 students who meet as a class for both 1st and 2nd semesters during 5th period. Students learn computer and journalism skills in the process of producing the school yearbook, Por El Año.

How to join: There are no age or other prerequisits to join; however space is limited and competition is high. A written application is made available around spring break for the upcoming school year. Announcements are made in the bulletin, as well as on the yearbook staff web page.

California Scholarship Federation (CSF)

Faculty Adviser: Herb Ortiz

Student President: Jefferson Colindres

Meetings: Every other Thursday, lunch, B-104

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: Pick up an application at the Career Center or at one of the meetings.

Choraleers

Faculty Adviser: Jacqueline Dodd

Meetings: Everyday (it's a class)

Description: The Choraleers is a competitive show choir that competes in many competitions all over Southern California. The group sings many different styles of music, and will study music theory.

How to join: Audition Required

Choralettes

Faculty Adviser: Jacqueline Dodd

Meetings: Everyday (it's a class)

Description: The Choralettes is an auditioned intermediate women's choir. We sing music from all cultures and time periods. We also sing in festivals and for our local community.

How to join: Join Concert Choir first and get some experience, or see Ms. Dodd for an audition in C-2.

College Bound Athletes (CBA)

Faculty Adviser: Frank Llanes, Ben Meza

Student President: Augustine Palomera

Meetings: 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month, H-2

Description: The CBA is a club that promotes continuing your education, and, if possible, your athletic career in college. We discuss relevant topics such as nutrition, conditioning, recruitment and test-taking strategies. We also try to provide speakers at least once a month.

How to join: Any athlete can join by attending a meeting and becoming aware and informed.

Color Guard

Director: Reggie Cordero

Student Captains: Jeannette Ponce, Salina Sells, Justine Orrante

Description: Color Guard is an award-winning group of students that function as the visual interpretation of the Marching Band. They regularly compete in parades, field tournaments and indoor shows. They can also be seen at Friday night football games and pep rallies.

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

Concert Choir

Faculty Adviser: Jacqueline Dodd

Meetings: Everyday (it's a class)

Description: In this course, students learn to read vocal music, develop vocal techniques, and study various styles and time periods. The group is a traditional choir with no choreography. Regular performances are planned during the year. Attendance is required at all performances. May be repeated for credit.

How to join: No prerequisites. Just sign up for the class with your counselor.

Dons 4 Christ

Faculty Adviser: Paul Brandt

Student President: Josh Magana

Meetings: Tuesdays & Thursdays, lunchtime, S-7

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 S-7 because of the environment, fellowship, and truth.

How to join: Anyone is welcome to join. Just come join us in S-7 during lunch Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Executive Commission

Faculty Adviser: Mary Chapman

ASB President: Samantha Herrera

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.

Gadabouts

Faculty Adviser: Charissa Zeko

Student President: Miguel Felix

Meetings: first Wednesday of every month, B-105

Description: Students meet to plan and discuss their upcoming trip to Central Europe.

How to join: See Ms. Zeko in B-105.

Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA)

Faculty Adviser: Nadine Segal

Student President: Tatiana Sandoval

Meetings: Wednesdays at lunch, Y-3

Description: The El Rancho Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) brings together gay youth and welcomes their staight allies (as well as teachers), to fight homophobia on the campus and in the community, advocating for equal treatment for youth of all sexual orientations. Our GSA will create a school environment free of homophobic, sexual, verbal, and physical harassment. We also hang out, eat , and have fun: we will co-ordinate outings, dances, movie nights, and other activities. In addition to talking about relevant issues, 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: No-one is identified as gay or staight. We are all individuals in favor of a common cause, for whatever reason.

How to join: See Ms. Segal in Y-3.

Key Club

Faculty Adviser: Jim Sorenson

Student President: Saleena Campos

Web Page: Link

Meetings: Mondays, lunch, H-3 (on holiday Mondays, meeting is on the next school day)

Description: Key Club is a service organization whose members are dedicated to improving their communities. Key Club has participated in beach clean-ups, Relay for Life, Pico Rivera Christmas Baskets, Community Pride Day, AIDS Walk, Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF, and has sold over 1,500 yellow bands for the Lance Armstrong Foundation. ER's Key Club is sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Pico Rivera.

How to join: Each member must pay dues of $11 per year. Each member must be a student of El Rancho. Members must attend meetings and participate in club activities.

Leos Club

Faculty Adviser: Kathy Metaxas and Desiree Palacios

Student President: Abel Martinez

Meetings: Thursdays at lunch in A101

Description: The Leos Club is a group dedicated to becoming involved in the community and helping those in need. Stop by to find out what exciting activities we have planned for the year!

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

Marching Band/Instrumental Music

Director: Reggie Cordero

Drum Major: Paul Espitia

Drum Line Captains: Andrew Solano, Michael Griego

Color Guard Captains: Paola Lopez, Lilia Gonzales, Alexandra Reyes

Web Page: Link

Meetings: Rehearsals Class periods and Thursday Evenings

Description: The El Rancho Instrumental Music Program hosts a secetion of music ensembles: Marching Band, Drum Line, Color Guard, Jazz Ensemble, String Orchestra and Begining Instruments. The Marching band is comprised of El Rancho students who performa at many different venues such as Varsity football games and boys/girls basketball games Parades, field shows and concerts. The Bands also takes a trip outside of the state every year to compete.

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

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

Faculty Adviser: Steve Francis

Student President: Michael Waldrop

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.

Math, Engineering, Science Association (MESA)

Faculty Adviser: Peter Halverson & Joy Tanigawa.

Student President: Edilberto Medrano

Meetings: Wednesdays, lunch, B-201

Description: Our club encourages students to go to college. We go on field trips to local colleges. We practice for and 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: Open to anyone wanting to go to college and study math or science.

Newstaff

Faculty Adviser: Paul Zeko

Student Editor/Chief: Brianna Morales.

Meetings: daily, 6th period, Y-3

Description: The Newspaper Staff is made up of approximately 30 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 prerequisits 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.

Pep Commission

Faculty Adviser: Mary Chapman

Meetings: Mondays, 3pm, cafeteria

Description: Paint signs for school events.

How to join: See Ms. Chapman

Pepsters

Faculty Adviser: Kenia Kemp

Varsity Captains: Lauren Riesgo, Erica Perez.

Varsity Co-Captains: Desiree Ochoa, Amanda Roblero.

JV Captain: Jasmine Fuentes

JV Co-Captain: Amber Mendoza

Meetings: 4th period class, plus after school practices

Web Page: Link

Description: ER Pepsters are full of school spirit and Blue Pride. We keep the school spirit level high throughout the school year. We attend pep rallies and sporting events, and encourage the crowd to support ER's athletes and to have a good time.

How to join: Requirements: 2.0 GPA, with no F's and no U's. Process: The selection process consists of satisfying academic and citizenship requiremnts, attending a mandatory parent information meeting, participating in workshops, and trying out in front of a panel of judges.

Thespians

Faculty Adviser: Stan Wlasick

Student President: Consuelo Rivera

Meetings: Everyday before or after school

Description: Thespian Club is an active member of The International Thespian Society, whose main headquarters is in Ohio. The Society is comprised of worldwide high school actors/actresses who have been initiated at high schools after contributing 100-plus hours extra curricularly to a performing art program. We are troupe #2164, active since the 1970s.

How to join: Contribute 100 extra-curricular hours through involvement in play productions. You must then be invited by the current Thespian Council to go through an initiation process.

UC Partners

Faculty Adviser: Herb Ortiz

Student President: Christina Perez

Meetings: Every other Thursday, lunch, B-104

Description: UC Partners promotes higher education by providing members with information on educational opportunities including scholarships, summer programs, and workshops. UC Partners is an extension of the Early Academic Opportunity Program through UC Irvine.

How to join: Students in their sophomore year are recruited for EAOP if they are enrolled in Math Course 2, Geometry, or higher. Those students are then encouraged to also join UC Partners.

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