Spring Lake Park High School Activities and Clubs

Spring Lake Park High School offers 50+ student-based interest clubs and co-curricular activities. These offerings allow students to find connection, belonging and purpose beyond the classroom.

Co-Curricular Activities

Spring Lake Park High School offers a handful of co-curricular activities that are a part of the Minnesota State High School League or through the Community Education Department. These activities have a fee associated with them and students must be registered in order to participate.

Band

Bowling Club

Spring Lake Park Bowling Club is for students in grades 5-12 who like to bowl and have the desire to become a better bowler. No experience is necessary. Students can join the Bowling Club as late as November 1. 5th and 6th graders are eligible to practice with the team and can choose to practice one or two days per week. 7th - 12th graders are eligible for both practice and Thursday competitions against other local schools (Andover, Anoka, Blaine, and Coon Rapids). Bowling is a student club at Spring Lake Park High School. Bowling is a co-ed sport in the fall and a girls-only sport in the winter. Members of the bowling teams are eligible for varsity letters.

Meeting Times: Monday, Wednesday and Thursdays, 4-5:30 p.m.

Fee: $75

Advisor: Josh Hodney

Clay Target Team

The Spring Lake Park Clay Target Team participates in Trap, Skeet and Sporting Clays in two separate seasons, Spring season (Feb-Jun) and Fall season (Aug-Nov). Trap and Skeet Shooting Competition Teams for Beginners and Experienced Shooters

Who:

Any Spring Lake Park School District male or female student, grades 7-12, who possess a State Firearm Training Certificate AND meets all school curricular eligibility requirements.

Also, to be eligible to participate on the Spring Lake Park Clay Target Team, you must meet one of the two following requirements:

1. Be attending the Spring Lake Park High School or Westwood Middle School.

2. The school you are attending does not have a Clay Target Team AND your home address is within the Spring Lake Park School District 16 boundary.

Coach Information:

Bob Goering - Trap
Taryn Rodenborg - Skeet
Bob Goering - Sporting Clays

Team President: Charlie Sjolund

Contact us -
Email Clay Target Team

To learn more about the Clay Target Team and Register, visit our website

Choir

Curling Club

Welcome to the Spring Lake Park Schools Curling Club. The club’s goals are to expose students to and develop skills for this lifelong sport. We will work to instill integrity and sportsmanship through a sport that relies on both in order to be successful.

Who: Any SLP Student in grades 7-12 may join. No prior experience necessary!

What: Curling is an Olympic sport! The sport of curling consists of four team members working together in different ways to accurately place curling rocks or “stones” on a sheet of ice 150 feet long! All team members are constantly involved whether you are “throwing,” “sweeping,” or “skipping.” The play is usually not fast-paced, and there is always an opportunity to socialize and have a great time on or off the ice.

Where: Four Seasons Curling Club, 9250 Lincoln St NE, Blaine, MN 55434.

When: To be determined

Fee: $200

Advisor: Matthew Marsolek

DECA

DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe. Students will work independently or in groups in a variety of competitive events at the regional level, with the possibility of competing at the state and/or national level. DECA prepares the next generation of students to be academically prepared, community orientated, professionally responsible and experiences leaders. Competence, innovation, integrity, and teamwork are core values of DECA.

Meeting Time: To be determined

Fee: $100

Advisor: To be determined

Girls Flag Football

It is our desire to help each flag football player develop into their full potential; both as flag football players and as citizens of their community. We feel that many lessons our student athletes learn on the field will carry on with them through their adult life. We will strive to provide a safe learning environment for all players. We ask that our players and coaches work hard, follow the rules, always do their best, and have fun.

Meeting Time: To be determined

Fee: $50

Advisors: Tucker Olinger and Derek Krause

Knowledge Bowl

Senior High Knowledge Bowl, often called a sport for the mind, is an interdisciplinary academic contest designed for students in grades 9 –12.

Teams of students compete in written and oral rounds by answering questions related to all areas of learning typical of high school educational programs. Questions test students’ recall, problem solving, and critical thinking skills. Participation takes quick thinking and teamwork, and, like all team sports, students learn to work together to reach their goal.

Knowledge Bowl season runs November through March. Teams attend three meets (typically one meet per month), and the top teams in each of our two tiers advance to region tournaments held in March. Six regional winners (three in each tier) advance to the state competition in April. (Our high school's team was the 2013 state champion.)

Interested in Joining Knowledge Bowl? Contact the advisor or join the Schoology group, using the access code: N8JX8-HM8KH

Meeting Time: Wednesdays from 3-4 p.m. in room B135

Fee: $75

Advisor: Melanie Tuve and Jenn Prince

Math Team

Do you love math? Are you great at it? Test your math skills against other kids from all over the state and country!

The problems posed are divided into five events - individual events A, B, C and D and team events A, B, C and D. Individual events usually consist of algebra, geometry, trigonometry and pre-calculus topics, respectively. The team event is a mix of all four. Students can compete all the way to a state competition.

Math Team exists to identify students with exceptional interest and/or mathematical ability, give them recognition and encouragement, bring them together with similarly motivated students, and introduce them to topics not commonly taught in the high school curriculum while reinforcing those topics already taught. Math Team competes in several competitions: Math Madness, Minnesota State High School Math League, Eau Claire University Competition, AMC 10 and AMC 12, and St. Cloud State University Competition.

Meeting Time: Mondays and Thursdays from 3:05-4:15 p.m. in Room C118

Fee: $75

Advisors: Mike Hilst and Amanda Preisinger

Robotics

Our program’s purpose is to open students up to the possibilities of STEM through FIRST robotics. We promote an inclusive, team environment where students can safely explore new skills and confidently develop into innovative thinkers and compassionate leaders. Learn more about the Panthinators.

Meeting Time: Tuesdays & Thursdays from 3-4:30 p.m. in B141; Meeting times will be expanded to longer hours and/or more days during competition season (January - April).

Fee: $75

Advisors: David Mack

Speech

The art of forensics at the Varsity level combines public speaking and presentation skills.

The SLP Speech Team begins practicing for competitions in December. Practice sessions involve workshops, groups, and individual coaching time. Competition usually consists of three preliminary rounds and one final round at weekend invitations in January, February, and March. The first 3 rounds consist of 5 to 6 students of the same category and one judge.

After each round, students are given a rank, 1 meaning the best speaker, which are later added together to determine the overall rank. If there is a final round, the top competitors compete in the same fashion. At the end of a competition, there are awards presented to the top competitors in each category. A team award will be presented to the top finishing teams.

Event Categories

You have the opportunity to choose from these 13 different competition categories when you join speech at Spring Lake Park. When you audition for the team, you'll tell us which ones interest you the most. Then we'll help you pick a category that you will enjoy and find success in. You might even have the opportunity to double enter if you're up to the challenge and we think you have what it takes.

Creative Expression: Students write and perform their own piece of original writing.
Drama, Poetry, and Prose Interpretation: In any of these categories, students choose a serious piece of literature and perform their own interpretation of it for the audience.
Extemporaneous Reading: Students choose a cutting from prose or poetry selections provided.
Storytelling: Students tell selected children's stories in their own words from the Gutenberg Project.
Dramatic Duos: Students work with a partner and perform a part of a play.
Humorous Interpretation: Students choose a comedic piece of literature and perform it.
Original Oratory, Informative, and Great Speeches: Students in any of these categories, write their own speeches based on their purpose: to persuade, inform, or analyze a great speech.
Discussion: Students research and discuss the year's topic with 5-7 other students.
Extemporaneous Speaking: Students study current events and give 7 minute speeches based on national and international politics.

Meeting Time: To be determined

Fee: $75

Advisor: Luke Zenker

Theater and Tech Crew

The Spring Lake Park Schools Theater Program is award-winning! From being on the stage to working behind the scenes - there are many different ways students can get involved. Each school year, the SLPHS theater program does a fall play, a one-act winter play and a spring musical.

Meeting Time: Theater and Tech Crew meet every day during the duration of each play

Fee: Cost varies

Advisor: Ryan Julien

Weight Training

Panther Weight Room is an after school activity for all sports and recreational weight lifters. The mission is to offer athletes and non-athletes the opportunity to develop strength and conditioning that will translate to competition success, injury prevention, and team cohesion. The vision is to create well-rounded athletes ready for multiple sport opportunities and to instill the qualities: hard work, dedication, and persistence needed for success in life.

Meeting Time: Weight Training meets in the weight room after school

Fall: Tuesdays and Thursdays; 3:15 - 4:45 p.m.
Winter and Spring: every day, Monday-Friday, 3-4:30 p.m.

Fee: $75 per trimester

Advisor: John Stewart

Hall of Fame
Records

Hall of Fame

Jason Eggers

Jason participated for the Panthers between 1995-1998. He started in the secondary for the #1 ranked 1997 football team that eventually lost in the dome. What Jason lacked in speed and skill he made up for with hard work and determination. He never missed a workout, lifted harder than other players, and wrestled and went out for track just to improve his football. His determination led him to All-Conference his senior year and led to a career at nationally ranked Bethel College where he played for four years and continued his strength training.

After Bethel, Jason became the secondary coach for the Panthers. He continued to train at SLP and compete in various powerlifting meets around Minnesota. Jason won multiple powerlifting meets in the 198 lbs. division including winning the Twin Cities Open twice and he also holds the MN record for Junior Squat of 540 lbs. in the 181 lbs. weight class. He trained in the weight. room and coached for eight years at Spring Lake Park.

Jason is married and has two children and works as a computer technician.

Alean Frawley

Alean participated in track and field and the Panther weight room from 1999-2003. She was one of the hardest workers in the weight room, participated in elective strength and speed class, and won many weight training events. That all carried out to the track where she was outstanding throwing the shot and disc.

She went on to the U of M where she continued her strength training and broke many stadium records during her career. Below is an excerpt from the newspaper:

Now, in her fifth year at Minnesota, Frawley is a senior captain providing leadership to the youthful Gophers - all while posting first-place finishes in the shot put.

"I told her, 'When you're 65 and you're a doctor, you'll either have been a doctor for 30 years or a doctor for 29 years,' " Wilson said. "But you'll never have the chance to be a collegiate thrower again."

By returning for an extra year, Frawley is now able to do more than just tend to unfinished business in the throwing pits.

She provides senior leadership for a team consisting of 44 freshmen and sophomores. Gophers throwing coach Lynne Anderson describes Frawley as a liaison between coaches and players.

"Being a captain and people looking up to her - both figuratively and literally - that's really helped set the stage for these young kids," Wilson said. "She's been a great role model."

Alean graduated with a medical degree and is currently a doctor.

Dan Gronert

Coach Gronert has lifted as many hours in the panther weight room as anyone, dating back to the storage closet that was used as the weight room in the mid 1970’s. Dan worked hard in the weight room, was a great football player and competed in many power lifting meets where he was very successful. His football career extended after Spring Lake Park, to Anoka Ramsey and later to Northern State. After his football career was over he came back to the Panthers and continued coaching. He was on the staff coaching the O or D line for the 1988 NSC championship, the 1991 State Champions, the 1996 & 97 NSC and State semi-finalists, as well as the 2005, 2006 & 2007 NSC championship teams. He continued to lift in the Panther weight room all those years setting a great example on work ethic for the players.

Dan had such an impact on Spring Lake Park football that the Panther award given for hard work, leadership and dedication was named after him. Now every year the most coveted award given at the banquet is the Dan Gronert Panther Award.

Brian Leonhardt

Brian brought an intensity to the weight room as well as the practice field that very few others have over the years. He didn’t start competitive sports until he tried wrestling in eighth grade. He started football in ninth grade from the encouragement of the wrestling coach and started track and field in ninth grade from the encouragement of the football coach. He was two-time All-State in both wrestling and shot and disc. He was captain of the #1 ranked Panther football team in 2007 where he finished all-conference and was recruited by Bemidji State where he was an All-American tight end. After his college football career he spent three years with the Oakland Raiders, scoring a touchdown in Wembley stadium against the Miami Dolphins.

Brian’s intensity in the weight room has not been matched by any Panther. When most people set the bar down, Brian is just getting started. He outworks his opponents and is a stickler for details. Brian worked in the weight room for a summer after high school and continued to work out here even through his playing days at Oakland.

Daulton Olinger

Daulton worked out year round from the moment he stepped into the Spring Lake Park weight room. Daulton’s work ethic was off the charts as he was the first one in and last to leave. He never missed a work out and it showed as he dominated on the field and in the weight room. Daulton was a rare 2 time all state selection in football where he started at both offensive tackle and defensive tackle. There was no stronger force in the defensive line as teams could not even run the ball his direction. He started 3 years for the football team and was a 4 year track member throwing the shot and disc.

Daulton is best known for his quiet demeanor but giant presence on the field. He never rested for a minute when he could be working out.

Daulton went on to play football at the University of Souix Falls and Augsburg College. He played for the Panthers between 2010-2012.

Andrew Tortora

Andrew Tortora was one of the best captain/leaders and hardest workers Spring Lake Park High School has ever seen. Andrew was a 3 sport athlete and a 3 sport captain. He was named to the section AAAA all-state football all-academic team. In addition, he was named all-state by the Minnesota Vikings and honored at halftime during a game. He went on to play at St. Thomas College and then came back to help coach the Panther Football team and Lacrosse team. Andrew is also part of the Panther Foundation committee and has run the FCA program at the high school.

You do not bleed anymore blue than Andrew Tortora. Here is what he said upon his induction: “…I learned more about life and success in that room than any other place I’ve ever been including the football field…...closely equate to the memories of sweating, pushing, racing, competing, and maxing! but more than that.... failing. The weight room Is the safest place to fail for me. There is no place like it on earth, where it is good to encourage kids to fail. I failed with the best of them and have spent the last 5 years teaching kids how to fail in a positive environment. I teach that with out failure you cannot grow….”

Well done Andrew. What a great example you set for all of us!

Records

The following Panther athletes hold records in our weight room.

Clean

Grant Krumme, 345 lbs., 2004 (1st video)
Emma Potratz, 195 lbs., 2021 (2nd video)

Dips

Cade McMahon, 50 Dips, 2018 (video)

40-Yard Dash

Grant Walter, 4.28 seconds, 2014 (video)
Alyssa Luedtke, 4.79 seconds, 2010
Bria Jones, 4.79 seconds, 2010

40-Yard Shuttle

Isley Carrington, 6.95 seconds, 2016 (video)
Bree Wertz, 8.19 seconds, 1997

Vertical Jump

Roos Rosambert, 39", 2019
Bria Jones, 28.5" 2010

Five Squat Rep

Josh Barstow, 490 lbs., 2004 (video)
Lamaree Whitson 270 lbs., 2018 (video)

Bench

Alex Ullman, 405 lbs., 2021 (video)
Kaylene Snyder, 195 lbs., 2003

Deadlift

Pete Frick, 615 lbs., 2003
Kaylene Snyder, 325 lbs., 2003

Jump Rope

Jesse Borchardt, 266, 2004
Sarah Witt, 225, 1996

Long Jump

Adam Clausen, 10' 4", 2019
Bria Jones, 8' 10", 2010

Student Interest-Based Clubs

Student interest-based clubs at Spring Lake Park High School are free and student-driven. If you don't see a club that sparks your interest and would like to start your own club, stop by or reach out to the athletics and activities department.

ACT/SAT Prep Club

African Society Club

Art Club

The Art Club is an after-school activity that provides materials, instruction and support for those students who are seeking a creative outlet in addition to their academic schedule. All art rooms (drawing, painting, computer, ceramics, and photography) are made available to the students.

A variety of media is offered in the art department including:

Art Foundations One and Two
World of Craft Ceramics One, Two and Studio
The Electronic Easel
Intro to Photography
Digital Darkroom
Black & White Photography
Black & White Studio Photography
Yearbook Publication
AP Art History
Independent Art Studio

Meeting Time: Tuesdays from 3-3:45 p.m. in Room B106

Advisor: Maria Ahrndt

Black Student Union

Chess and Table Top Games Club

Crochet n Craft Club

Current Events & Human Rights Watch

East African Student Union

Fashion Club

Figure Skating

The Spring Lake Park Figure Skating Club exists to support those students in grades 6-12 who participate in the sport of figure skating. The club is open to both girls and boys who are figure skaters. Most club members belong to local community figure skating clubs, though which they take lessons from professional coaches who are registered with US Figure Skating, and they compete in sanctioned skating events at state and national levels.

In addition to promoting the sport and each figure skater's pursuit of her or his highest level of skating, the club allows for its members to receive the same courtesy and empathy in academic considerations which traditional high school student athletes receive when events require being absent, leaving school early, or being tardy. The club also allows for the recognition of accomplishments and time commitment of figure skaters, with a high school letter award to those who meet the requirements and are selected for the award. Official high school athletic and activity recognition is important to college applicants. Only figure skaters who are current students of Spring Lake Park High School, enrolled in grades 9, 10, 11, or 12 are eligible to earn a letter. Learn more about the lettering policy.

For more information about the SLP Figure Skating Club, contact the club's faculty representative, Janelle Davis, who will connect you with the club's student leadership.

Fishing Team

If catching bass sounds like fun and you like competing against yourself and other anglers, this just may be your gig!

The SLP Fishing Team gets together about every other week from May - August to improve our fishing skills.

If interested, please contact the SLP Fishing Team.

Advisor: Melanie Persellin

Two SLP students from the fishing club holding their fish

An SLP studnet on the fishing team holding their fish next to the lake

Two SLP students on the Fishing Team holding fish and smiling

Game Club- competitive

Hope in the Cross Club

Journalism Club

Majorette Dance Club

Model United Nations

Muslim Student Association (MSA)

Muslim Women's Society

The purpose of this club is to create a safe and comfortable environment for Muslim girls and girls interested in Islam. In this club, we will learn about the Islamic religion, have discussion, organize fundraisers and more. The purpose of this club is to create a safe and comfortable environment for Muslim girls and girls interested in Islam. In this club, we will learn about the Islamic religion, have discussion, organize fundraisers and more.

Meeting Time: Wednesdays from 3:15-4:15 p.m. in room C124

Advisor: Jessica Degennaro

National Honor Society

The National Honor Society is an organization that recognizes outstanding students in secondary schools. Students belonging to the National Honor Society have demonstrated excellence in the areas of scholarship, character, leadership, and service. These members strive to maintain and improve these qualities as they participate in National Honor Society activities centered around helping our community. In past years, the National Honor Society has made tie blankets for the children’s hospital, supported events at the elementary schools, and been victims for OEC competitions.

Meeting Times: Meetings times and locations will vary and be announced on the group’s Schoology page. Please note, this group is selected through an application process.

Requirements to apply: Current 10th and 11th graders with a GPA of 3.5 or higher at the beginning of Trimester 3 will receive an invitation to apply to be a part of NHS for the following school year.

Advisor: Caleb Lachinski

OEC/HOSA

OEC is an award-winning medical education program that offers extensive opportunities to students interested in serving others in the healthcare field.

We teach EMS (Emergency Medical Services) programs to regional high school students and offer continuing education for adults.

Students can learn basic First Aid, or become fully prepared for pursuing careers in clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, in-home healthcare, ambulance services, fire departments, etc. through our First Aid & CPR, EMR (Emergency Medical Responder), EMT (Emergency Medical Technician), NA-R (Nursing Assistant-Registered), Self Defense and Medical Internship programs.

Students can earn college credits and/or their NREMT (National Registry of Emergency Medical Technician) certification, which enables them to pursue careers in various EMS and healthcare professions.

You can find more information on the OEC webpage.

Advisors: Bill Neiss and John Lindstrom

Panther Buddies

Panther Mentors

The Panther Mentors program provides a structure that guides freshmen and new students to Spring Lake Park High School toward both academic and social success.

Panther Mentors will develop and implement connections for students through both academic and social follow-up activities. The Mentors will learn a variety of skills including written, interpersonal and intrapersonal communication, team building, agenda setting, presentation/facilitation, time management, as well as health and balance. Through the course of the year-long Panther Mentor program, these leaders are trained to be positive role models, mentors, motivators and teachers who guide the freshmen and new students to discover what it takes to be successful in high school.

The transition to high school can be a major event in the life of a young person and yet very few strategies for support exist in most high schools. Numerous studies show that the move to high school is marked by a period of emotional stress and discomfort for adolescents, often times resulting in a decrease in academic achievement and an increasingly difficult social adjustment. It is this combination of factors that can be the impetus to high risk and self-destructive behavior for students. Panther Mentors ease this challenging transition by offering freshmen and new students a solid foundation to begin their high school experience. With Panther Mentors, students help students succeed by using members of the junior and senior class as Panther Mentors.

Meeting Times: Meetings take place every other Monday at 7:40 a.m. in the Fine Arts Center. Please note, this group is selected through an application process.

Advisors: Amanda Preisinger and Dana Romaker

Parker’s Helping Hands

Leadership. Experience. Opportunity. These are just a few of the rewards young people gain from participating in Parker’s Helping Hands.

Parker’s Helping Hands Club Mission: To provide the students of our school community with an opportunity for development and contribution, individually and collectively, as responsible members of the local, national and international community.

Meeting Time: 3-4 p.m. in the cafeteria beginning in October

Advisor: Whitney Booth

Pickleball Club

Prom Committee

Rainbow Youth Alliance

SLP Green Club

The purpose of the SLP Green Club is to make the school more "green" and educate students and staff on how to live more sustainably. This will consist of research and infographic material. Spring weather may allow more hands-on work because of the ability to go outside and improve our school environment.

Meeting Time: Meets during SET on Tuesdays in B135

Advisor: Jennifer Prince

Space Science & Innovation Club

Space Science & Innovation Club aims to foster a community of curious minds passionate about exploring the mysteries of space and advancing human understanding of the cosmos. Through collaborative projects, research, and discussions, this club seeks to delve into interdisciplinary fields such as astrophysics, astronomy, space medicine, planetary science, and aerospace engineering, encouraging members to envision and contribute to humanity’s future in space exploration and innovation.

Meeting Time: Every other Tuesday during SET in the science wing

Advisor: Michelle Gressman

Spanish Club

Spark Club

Student Council

Ultimate Frisbee

Ultimate Frisbee is a fast-paced, non-contact field sport, which encourages speed, dexterity of hands and feet, sportsmanship, and teamwork.

Two teams play the game, each with seven players on the field at a time. The field has a similar shape to a football field, with end zones at each end. Passing the disc, from one player to another, until a player in the end zone catches it scoring a point. Vital to the sport is a code of conduct called the “Spirit of the Game.” As a result, ultimate is not refereed, unlike almost every other high school sports. Players must call penalties themselves and resolve disputes through dialogue.

Meeting Time: The season starts in March 2026

Advisors: Chris Lammars and Eric Sanks

Water Polo

Spring Lake Park Water Polo is a club where students can come and learn the love of a new sport. Our co-ed team gets together once a week in the morning before school and plays scrimmages against each other. Water polo is played in a pool with two teams who try and score on the opposing goal. Our club is open to all students and is tons of fun for anyone who wants to try something new.

Meeting Time: Practice one day a week in September, October, April and May

Advisors: Dana Romaker and Madison Beck

Women for Change

Women for Change promotes gender equality, empowering women & advocating for women’s rights. The purpose of this club is to provide a safe space for women in SLPHS to discuss and address issues they face, raise awareness for gender inequality and create a sense of unity of women.

Meeting Time: Twice a month on Tuesdays during SET time.

Advisor: To be determined

Women in Healthcare

World Cultures Club

Yearbook

Order a SLPHS Yearbook

The Oasis Yearbook Club wishes to provide every student the opportunity to contribute towards the publication of the yearbook while learning basic journalism, photography and graphic design skills.

If the student’s academic schedule does not permit them to take yearbook as a credit course during the regular school day, then the Oasis Yearbook Club is for them! The after school yearbook club welcomes all students who are serious in “making the best book ever.” If you are a student athlete and have a wish to join us, we will work around your athletic schedule. You may join us in between sports if you are a multi-sport athlete!

Ms. Deegan is available most everyday after school and will make the room available when necessary for students who have other commitments or activities. Our goal is to provide flexibility for those who wish to contribute to the publication of the Oasis Yearbook.

Meeting Times:

Mondays and Wednesdays from 3-5 p.m. in Room B140 and in the Computer Room B109 (time is subject to change)
Some Saturday workdays
Yearbook club members should be able to attend after school events in the afternoon or evening depending on the sport or event

Advisor: Shelly Deegan

Two students work on art projects with paint side by side