• Clubs & Activities
    • Chess Club
      David Stearns, advisor
      The Chess Club includes students interested in interscholastic competition through the Chess Team as well as students who are just developing their abilities without competing on the team. The club meets every Wednesday during activity periods.  The amount of competition that the team participates in ebbs and flows with the level of club activities at other schools in Hancock Count as well as the greater Bangor area.   The competition season culminates with the interscholastic state championships held at the University of Maine in March.  The club and team are currently coached by Mr. Stearns.
       
      Drama Club
      Every year, the Drama Club puts on a play in the fall and competes in one-act competitions in late winter. The objectives of the George Stevens Academy drama program are to familiarize students with the various genres of dramatic literature and explore the evolution of the theatre's artistic movements. Students are encouraged to test acting styles and staging techniques and to design sets, lights, props and costumes. For more, visit the Dramatic Performances page in the Arts section of our website.

      Environmental Action Club
      The Environmental Action Club has helped protect over 120 acres of rainforest in Central and South America, encouraged recycling, helped with clean-up campaigns, sponsored guest speakers, supported the work of local environmental organizations including Blue Hill Heritage Trust and Great Pond Mountain Conservation Trust, raised money for wildlife research and conservation, participated in letter writing campaigns, helped with water quality monitoring projects, and enjoyed activities such as kayaking and hiking.

      French Club
      The French Club was started in 1953 to help students become better acquainted with French Canada and explore the French language and culture. Senior club members visit French Canada in the spring.

      Gender and Sexuality Alliance
      Erin McCormick, Advisor
      GSA's GSA is a civil rights club open to all students of all gender identities and persuasions, including straight, who are interested in learning about issues concerning the LGBTQ community and promoting understanding and equality among all students, regardless of gender or sexual orientation here at school and across the country. We meet in the library at lunch every Thursday and also offer movie nights, pizza parties, go on field trips to work with other LGBTQ groups across the state, attend Pride parades, Rainbow Balls, etc. Anyone is welcomed anytime. This year, Jon Robbins is our president and Lucy Morrison is our vice-president.
       
       
      Haystack
      Mariel Duym, Advisor
      The Haystack Studio Based Learning program is a three-day studio program for local high school students held in September. Students get the chance to work in one of the following crafts: blacksmithing, fiber, graphic/book arts, woodworking, clay, and metals. At GSA, the program is open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Students participate in workshops in craft media taught by professional artists. During their stay at the Haystack campus, students work alongside chaperones during studio time, but they also get the opportunity to hear faculty and guest artists present their work and share their creative processes each evening.
                The Haystack Mentorship program is a follow-up opportunity for students to work in smaller groups with local artists in their studios. It allows for a more intensive educational program in which the student works closely with the mentor in their field. Some past workshops included bronze metal clay jewelry, beginning glassblowing, blacksmithing, expressive drawing, and silk dyeing. This program is open to freshman through seniors, and workshops occur from January to May and usually take place during weekends or school vacations. For more, visit the Haystack page in the Arts section of our website


      Jazz Band
      Steve Orlofsky, Director
      Jazz Band is comprised of 25 students who play one of the following instruments: saxophone, trombone, trumpet, piano, vibes, bass guitar, guitar, string bass, or drums. We play different styles of jazz including swing, Latin, funk, rock, and slow ballads. We compete in district and state jazz festivals and play at numerous school and community events.Jazz Combo

      Jazz Combos
      Steve Orlofsky and Fiona Schubeck, Directors
      Each Jazz Combo is comprised of 5 to 8 musically advanced students who play one of the following instruments: saxophone, trombone, trumpet, piano, vibes, bass guitar/string bass, and drums. We play different styles of jazz including swing, Latin, funk, rock, and slow or moderate ballads. We compete in district and state jazz festivals. Each year, qualified freshmen are added to the group. Also, according to demand, there may be other combos, so that other interested students can play as well.
       
      Math Team
      The GSA Math team is a member of the Downeast League (Hancock and Washington counties) of MAML (Maine Association of Math Leagues). Mathletes compete in meets with other schools in our league and statewide. Each meet is a series of individual and team rounds focusing on a wide range of math topics, some that would be familiar to most high school students, and some that are a bit more out-of-the-box.
           For each of the last three years, GSA has finished first in its league and first or second statewide in its division. In 2017-18, GSA had three students who won places on Maine's 30-member state team that participated at the ARML national competition at Penn State.
       

      Outing Club
      Lou Graceffa, advisor
      The Outing Club, one of the oldest clubs at GSA, strengthens our students' love of the outdoors through activities like skiing, canoeing, and kayaking. Winter activities include both down hill and cross country skiing. Canoeing on the Saco River, ocean kayaking in Blue Hill Bay, and white water rafting on the Kennebec River are spring options. Fundraising is conducted to help defray individual costs. The club is open to all students. No experience or equipment is necessary. 

       

      Poetry Out Loud 
      Maria Johnson, advisor
      Poetry Out Loud is a poetry recitation competition that takes place at 10,000 schools across the nation. The winner from GSA goes on to regional competition, the winners of which go on to statewide recitations in the hope of advancing to the national contest in April. Read about a student's recent success in the competition here.


      Spanish Club
      Señora Buckingham, advisor
      The club celebrates El Dia de los Muertos annually by having dinner in a Mexican restaurant in the area each fall. The Spanish Club has hosted Una Fiesta de La Navidad with the other language clubs during the holiday season. Traditionally, the club has also raised funds for an individual or group in need. Past recipients have included Spanish Club students with unforeseen medical bills, a Mayan Women's Cooperative, the Hispanic Community in the Harrington and Milbridge area, and The Hancock County Medical Mission-voted upon by those current Spanish Club members. In the spring, the club hosts the annual Hispanic Culture Week, bringing in many community members, parents, and students- past and present to share their travels and experiences in Spanish speaking countries for all Spanish classes throughout that week. All students are welcome to join the club, whether or not they are currently taking Spanish classes.

      Steel Drum
      Fiona Schubeck, advisor
      Island music and the Steel Drum are a vital part of the history and culture of the Caribbean, and are important newcomers on the world music scene. Learning to play pan-- the steel drum family of instruments-- and perform as an ensemble, or steel band is a regularly scheduled class.

      Student Council
      Todd Eckenfelder, advisor
      The Student Council at George Stevens Academy provides significant leadership of and service to the school community, assists in the management of the school, and offers a forum for students to speak up and become more involved in the school. Among their most visible events are the fall food drive, a free Thanksgiving dinner for the school community, and the junior prom. 

      Yearbook
      Christie A. Snow and Debbie Davis, advisors

      The Yearbook is open to all students at George Stevens Academy. Members should be task oriented, self-motivated, and capable of meeting deadlines. Desktop publishing, writing, photography, art design and many other skills are incorporated.