Marine Academy of Science and Technology

Student Organizations and Activities

Currently, M.A.S.T. supports more than 22 student organizations and activities for the benefit of its students. As most students are bussed to school, in most cases, time is made available during school hours for participation in the extra-curricular activities which are listed alphabetically below. Brief information about M.A.S.T.'s honor societies appears at the end of the list.

Academic Team

Advisor: Mr. Stoye
The Academic Teams enter competitions which challenge the students' knowledge in a variety of fields, from science and literature to music and sports. Most competitions take place at other schools, either after school or on the weekend, but the team also participates in the Knowledge Master Open, which is sent to participating schools on a disk, and some other online competitions. Team membership is open to students from all classes who seem to have a broad base of general knowledge and good teamwork skills.

Beacon

Advisor: Mrs. Johns
The Beacon, MAST's literary magazine, offers an open forum of creative expression to all students by providing a showcase for literary and artistic talents. All students are encouraged to submit their original poetry, short stories, expressive and imaginative pieces and artwork. Students also can serve on the Beacon staff which is responsible for all phases of the organization and publication of the magazine.

Color Guard

Advisor: MSgt Strebel
The Color Guard is a part of the N.J.R.O.T.C. unit at the school. Color Guard presents the colors at school events such as assemblies and back-to-school night. They are also asked to provide that service at community events, as well as participate in local parades. The Color Guard also participates in the Linden and Middletown Drill Competitions. Although its regular members are assigned their positions through the N.J.R.O.T.C., students can volunteer to serve as alternates.

Creative Arts Club

Advisor: Mr. Spakowski
Designed as an outlet for expression and as a way for students to develop their talents, the Creative Arts Club attracts students interested in music, art, drama, photography, poetry, quilting or other related arts. Activities include periodic art showings in the display case, meetings, guest speakers, field trips, an evening showcase where students perform and their work is exhibited, and participation in one or two plays.

Drill Team

Advisor: MSgt Strebel
Drill team is a voluntary organization within the N.J.R.O.T.C. program at M.A.S.T. Led by a student commander chosen by the Naval Science instructors, the team participates in parades as well as state and regional drill competitions. The group is divided into armed, unarmed, trick and freshman drill teams. Armed Drill Team involves the use of drill rifles, while Trick Drill requires the students to innovate as they develop the routines that they perform. All teams practice at lunch meetings and sometimes after school.

Forensics

Advisor: TBA
The Forensics Club provides students with an opportunity to develop and exhibit their theatrical, public speaking and debate skills. The club has competed in the Lincoln-Douglas Debates and is planning to expand its participation to other local and state competitions. Students are able to compete in areas like dramatic interpretation, poetry and prose reading, speech and debate.

French Club

Advisor: Ms. Lepis
All MAST students are invited to join the French Club which celebrates the French language and culture through activities such as the French cafe. Club members have also organized food and clothing drives, and work with pre-kindergarten and elementary school children.

G.L.A.D.

Advisors: Ms. Lepis
G.L.A.D., which stands for Good Leaders Against Drugs, is a student organization whose focus is the promotion of healthy activities and prevention of drug/alcohol use. Student members are encouraged to select activities which have a positive effect on both themselves and others. Projects include the GLAD walk to promote the prevention of drug use, and buying holiday gifts for children awaiting placement in foster homes. Students also are eligible to attend meetings of the Monmouth County High School Task Force on Drinking, Driving and Drugs. G.L.A.D. is also responsible for M.A.S.T.'s participation in the "Rude Awakening" program.

Key Club

Advisors: Mr. Ellithorpe, Mrs. Hoffman & Ms. Mancini
Through the Key Club, an international organization of high school students sponsored by Kiwanis Int'l., MAST students have an opportunity to perform service for their local community as well as to be involved with service programs linking Key Clubs throughout the state and nation.

Latin Club

Advisor: Mr. Grabler

Marine Sciences Club/Environmental Club

Advisor: Ms. Baskin
The Marine Science Club combines environmental issues with the study of marine sciences. Club members are involved in a number of activities ranging from salt marsh ecology to meteorology. Stydents compete in the Environthon.

Masthead

Advisor: Mrs. Hoffman
The Masthead is the school newspaper which is published monthly. The editorial staff is selected by the advisor; positions on staff are open to all interested sophomores, juniors and seniors. Freshmen may write for the paper, but are not put on the staff (and in the special homeroom). The Masthead staff is also responsible for the televised daily announcements each morning.

Download the September issue of the Masthead here (PDF file).

Math League

Advisor: Mr. Barnes
Students who show talent or promise in the field of mathematics are selected to be members of the school's Math League. They represent the school in competitions against other area high schools including ones sponsored by the Association of Mathematics Teachers, Stevens Institute of Technology and the New Jersey Mathematics League. The Mathematics League competitions are open to all high schools in the state and consist of six, thirty minute contests scheduled about once a month. Students take identical tests statewide at their high schools. The top five student scores represent the school's score which is then compared state and county wide. A smaller group of 12 juniors and seniors is selected from Math League to represent the school in a monthly series of contests sponsored by the Shore Math League. Students travel to these contests which contain an individual section; a team question and timed-response relays.

Mock Trial

Advisors: Mrs. Fronzo and Mrs. Johns
The Mock Trial Team is a ten member group that competes in the New Jersey Bar Association Mock Trial Competition. Students assume the roles of attorneys and witnesses to develop both sides of a civil or criminal case developed by the Bar Association. Each side requires two attorneys and three witnesses. Witnesses must learn their roles and help develop the direct and cross examination questions the attorneys will ask. The attorneys must develop questions as well as opening and closing remarks. Students participating learn about courtroom procedure as well as other aspects of the legal system. Tryouts for the team are held in late October. Once the team is chosen, they meet weekly in the evenings to prepare for the competition which takes place in February. Students can also volunteer to serve as jurors during the competition.

NAMES Project

Advisor: Mr. Alfonse
The NAMES Project is a remembrance of the lives of those who have died of Aids. All students are welcome to participate in the project which plans and sews quilts to remember the lives of those who have no one to speak for them. Students work on their quilts during lunch and after school. M.A.S.T. project members, often in conjunction with K.I.V.A., present their quilts at a school-wide assembly. Previous quilts have become part of the international AIDS remembrance quilt. While the project helps spread both awareness and community spirit throughout the school, its most important function is to positively remember the lives of those claimed by the disease.

Ocean Bowl

Advisor: Mrs. Boyd
Students are chosen for our two Ocean Bowl teams based on their interest in, and knowledge of, marine science. These teams compete at a regional contest each spring, and usually one team goes on to compete at the national level. The competitions are sponsored by N.O.A.A.

Physics Olympics

Advisor: Mr. Valente
The Physics Olympics is a competition which allows students to demonstrate their knowledge of physics by building devices that illustrate physics principles. The Olympics are held each year at Rutgers University. Students who express an interest in participating can develop devices such as the long lived gyro, or design bridges, a paper tower, or protective devices which prevent eggs from breaking as they are dropped from ever increasing heights.

SCUBA Club

Advisor: LCDR Mucciarone
The SCUBA Club has three purposes: To certify interested students as either SSI Open Water Scuba Diver or SSI Advanced Open Water Scuba Diver; to introduce students to marine science research using scuba diving; and to allow students to explaore local marine sites under certified supervision.

Skills USA/VICA

Advisor: Mr. Cuttrell
All students are eligible to join Skills USA/VICA, a nationwide professional organization for students in trade, technical and health occupations. Members dedicate themselves to months of hard work as they prepare for competitions held at the regional, state and national level. The competitions are divided into two fields: skill and leadership. Competitions include areas such as prepared speech, and Opening and Closing Ceremony presentation. Participants in Skills USA/VICA reap countless rewards exhibiting their skills and leadership. It's a great club that constitutes a great learning experience.

Spanish Club

Advisor: Ms. Mancini
The Spanish Club was established to promote awareness and appreciation of the lifestyles of Spanish and Hispanic culture. Students participate in activities such as food festivals, dress-up days and poster contests which draw their themes from Spanish/Hispanic holidays and cultural activities. Spanish is not a prerequisite for students who wish to learn about these cultural aspects in an enjoyable way since the club is open to the entire student body.

Student Council

S C Advisor: Mr. Haddad
Class of 2012 Advisor: Ms. Mancini
Class of 2011 Advisor: Ms. Ng
Class of 2010 Advisors: Ms. Burger and Mr. Ellithorpe
Class of 2009 Advisor: Mrs. Trinidad
The Student Council is one of MAST's most active organizations, dedicating itself to our school and its success. The council is composed of all class officers who dedicate their time to helping organize fund raising events. They also serve as their class' representatives when matters concerning the school are discussed. The Student Council Officers are mainly concerned with service to both the school and surrounding community. A few of the many activities coordinated by Student Council include: the Freshman Buddy Program; dances; basketball games; contributing to the Toys for Tots program, the annual battery clean-up at Sandy Hook, and volunteering at the Red Bank Food Bank. Students also assist at school functions such as Freshman Orientation, Open Houses and Back-to-School night. Class and Student Council elections are held in May with the exception of the Freshman class which is held in the fall.

Technology Students Association (T.S.A.)

Advisor: Ms. Green
The mission of the Technology Student Association is to prepare its membership for the challenge of a dynamic world by promoting technological literacy, leadership, and problem solving, resulting in personal growth and opportunity. The club is looking for new and innovative activities to challenge the other clubs to throughout the upcoming school year.

Tradewinds

Advisors: Mr. Cuttrell and Ms. Lepis
Tradewinds, MAST's yearbook, captures and preserves the memorable moments of our students' time in high school. Tradewinds welcomes all students to participate in organizing the book by writing articles, taking candids, organizing layouts and selling advertising. Students then use online publishing to turn all that information into the finished publication. The rewards of joining this activity are readily visible since the arrival of the yearbook is one of the most anticipated events of the spring.

M.A.S.T.'s Honor Societies

National Honor Society

Advisor: Mrs. Boyd
National Honor Society is an organization designed to recognize and encourage scholarship, to stimulate a desire for service, to promote worthy leadership, and encourage development of character among high school students. Students are eligible for membership in National Honor Society beginning the second semester of the junior year. Selection is based on the students' demonstration of the qualities which the organization promotes: character, scholarship, leadership and service. Through National Honor Society chapter service activities, members maintain and extend the qualities that led to their selection. Membership is both an honor and a commitment. Among MAST's chapter's many activities is the organization of the twice yearly beach sweeps held at Sandy Hook.

French Honor Society

Advisor: Ms. Lepis
Under the auspices of the American Association of Teachers of French, this organization is open to French students who have an interest in the French community and maintain high academic standards, (92 or above in French and 87-92 in other subjects). The society coordinates cultural and educational events throughout the year such as trips to see Broadway shows.

Latin Honor Society