Catlin Gabel supports active learning, both in the classroom and through a wide array of extracurricular activities. A variety of student organizations in the Upper School address the needs and interests of high school students. Each organization is run by a group of students who are elected to leadership positions. They work closely with the student activities director and a faculty advisor. The current student organizations are listed below.

CGSA

The CGSA is the Upper School's student government. Officers include the president, vice president, treasurer, and secretary, as well as two representatives from every class. The CGSA president is a full voting member on the school's board of trustees.

CatlinSpeak

CatlinSpeak, the student newspaper, is published periodically and is written, designed, and produced entirely by students. Articles topics range from commentary about issues on campus to discussions of regional, national, and international events. Every student is welcome to be a part of the newspaper staff, whether as a writer, photographer, or editor.

Mock Trial

Mock Trial is an organization sponsored by the state-wide Classroom Law Project. Each year, with assistance from the Lewis & Clark Law School, students participate in teams to try a legal case. Students play every role in the trial from bailiff and clerk to lawyer and witness. Each team prepares their case, either prosecution or defense, and competes against other high schools in regional trials. Last year, Catlin Gabel finished first in the state and competed at the national championship in Nebraska.

Model United Nations (MUN)

The Model United Nations program provides an opportunity for students to come together for insightful discussion concerning international affairs. The group travels each year to the Model United Nations conference in Eugene, Oregon, to participate in the Oregon High School International Relations League MUN Conference. Students from throughout Oregon prepare positions on a particular subject, with each school group representing a specific country.

Pegasus

Pegasus is Catlin Gabel's arts and literary magazine. It is published at the end of each year and consists of high school and middle school student submissions of poetry, prose, photography, and art. The book is designed and assembled by a volunteer staff of high school students and given to a professional print shop for publication. The current editor in chief is Erica Silva and the co-editor is Amelia Templeton. Two members of the English department, Art Leo and Tony Stocks, serve as faculty advisors. The Pegasus staff holds open meetings on Thursdays in room 6 in the Dant House. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend.

Robotics

The robotics program provides an opportunity for all interested students to work together to create robots for entry in the nationwide FIRST robotics competition. Along the way, sub-teams get involved in everything from mechanical, software, and electronics design to fabrication, website development, animation, computer-aided design, video production, marketing, finance, graphics design, and public relations. In many ways, the robotics program operates as a small company with students leading various departments. Volunteers from the faculty and local industry lend assistance and teach new concepts as needed. Selected Upper School robotics participants also act as mentors for students in the Middle School LEGO® robotics program.

Social Committee

The Social Committee plans Upper School social events. The committee plans approximately four dances a year in addition to pep rallies, spirit weeks, field days, and other events. The group meets bimonthly and members are expected to contribute their time to promoting events, buying food and decorations, making site visits for off-campus events, phoning parent chaperones, and doing event set-up and clean-up.

SAFE

Students And Friends for Equality provides support for and education about the issues of gay, lesbian, bisexual, questioning, and transgender people. Students founded the organization in 1995 to educate members of the Catlin Gabel community and to provide support to students who identify with any of the above groups. SAFE is open to all members of the Catlin Gabel community as a means to promote diversity.

SPEED/UJIMA

SPEED - Students Promoting Equity and Ethnic Diversity
UJIMA - Kishwahili word meaning collective work and responsibility
Two student groups merged to become one organization for all students regardless of ethnic background, gender, or class. SPEED/UJIMA promotes learning about issues of diversity, multiculturalism, and inclusion. They also focus on ways of informing the faculty, administration and other students about the experience of students of color, as it may differ from the larger community. Through discussions, readings, and attending conferences and workshops, students will increase their own understanding and develop ways to aid in the education of the entire School.

Yearbook

This group of Upper School students works year-round to create the annual Upper School yearbook. The students participate in every aspect of the production of the yearbook including taking pictures on digital and 35mm cameras, writing articles, interviewing faculty and students, and doing the final layout of the pages. It is a wonderful opportunity for students to use their leadership, artistic, and organizational skills.

For more information about student organizations, please contact: