Clubs and Organizations
Learn more about Berkner High School’s Clubs and Organizations.
The United States Academic Decathlon® is a ten-event scholastic competition for teams of high school students. 
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- Trey Bryant – Athletic Coordinator – Head Varsity Coach – (469) 593- 7050
- Cleo Love – Head JV Coach
- Jeff Smith – Head Freshmen Coach
AVID Club members participate in a variety of activities such as working on homework together, end of semester celebrations, and teambuilding activities. AVID students are also able to gain a broader knowledge about the world around them as they participate in community service activities.
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The L.V. Berkner Mighty Ram Band is an award winning band consisting of 4 levels of band along with Percussion, Jazz Band, and Colorguard. With almost 200 students, the Mighty Ram Band is one of the largest organizations at Berkner High School.
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Dance and Drill Team. The Berkner High School Bandoleras are a prestigious group of young women who perform for their school and community.
Instagram: @berknerbandoleras Twitter: @berknerbandos
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- Ashleigh Christian – Head Director – +1 (469) 593-7058 – Website
- Marina Miller – Asst. Director
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BHS Film is a studio housed at Berkner High School, that has received many praises from around the state of Texas and Nationally. Yearly, we compete in multiple film festivals and give professional opportunities to students that many other film programs are unable to provide. We are often asked to create works around RISD, and even other high schools. We let the students know what it means to be a part of such a prestigious organization, and how to behave appropriately in all the different settings of life. Whether it be in a classroom or a film set, if a student is involved in the BHS Film Team, they are aware to the high standard they are held to.
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Do you have a love for reading?? Join book club and read with us!
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- Keylana Jordan (Varsity) –
- Emily Teller (Junior Varsity)
- Kristen Hinkle (Freshman)
Meets every Wednesday after school 4:30 – 5:30 in BHS library. Students and staff are welcome.
ALL Levels (even if you don’t know the game.)
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One Choir, One Voice Berkner is home to 6 choral ensembles: Concert Choir, Chorale (JV, Bel Canto, Tenor/Bass), A Cappella Choir (Varsity), and Encore (Thursday’s 6-8pm). Encore is an elite vocal jazz/pop A cappella group that meets outside the normal school day. Auditions for this group take place in the Spring of the previous school year.
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The Berkner Colorguard is a Visual Performing Ensemble that utilizes Modern, Contemporary & Jazz Dance along with Flags, Rifles, Sabres, and various other props to enhance the music performed by the band OR (in the spring semester) in a gymnasium with their own chosen soundtrack/stage.
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Mr. Joshua O’Kain (Mr. J) 469-593-7289 extension 3789
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CyberStart America is the most enjoyable way to discover your talent, advance your skills and win scholarships in cybersecurity!
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DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe.
Twitter: @BerknerDeca Instagram: decaberkner Website:
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- Michael Smith Phone: 469-593-7271 (room) 469-389-1450 (Google Voice)
- Brian Harper
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Our guild is all about fostering creativity, teamwork, critical thinking, and communication skills in a fun & immersive way.
Through the world of DnD, students embark on epic adventures where they take on various roles, solve complex problems, and make decisions that shape the story.
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- G. Idabel Torres (469)593-7074
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The Elegant Emeralds are a group of esteemed young individuals who provide the most exemplary model of school spirit and support for Berker High School and its entire student body. We embody the essence of teamwork through grace, elegance, and style. We believe that all members of our prestigious organization exhibit what it means to be a part of an unquestionable alliance that accentuates academic and organizational excellence while continuously being highly respectful and responsible individuals. The Elegant Emeralds are pleased to perform at pep rallies, basketball games, student council events and countless other dance opportunities offered by the entire RISD community. This program was designed to model various other hip hop-based dance lines such as “The Alabama State Stingettes”, “The LSU Golden Girls”, “The Prairie View A&M Black Foxes:, and The Southern University Gold N’ Bluez, in an effort to prepare all members to be successful beyond the classroom, in the community and wherever else their talents may lead them. Through discipline, hard work, and determination, every member of The Berkner High School Elegant Emeralds will gain the knowledge and experience to know what it truly means to “Shine Bright.”
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- Cearia Butler
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- Paula Rilling
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- Mark Boone- +1 (469) 593-7000
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This group will run the flags at
all Varsity Games, Pep Rallies and ring the
bell for all touchdowns!
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HOSA’s mission is to empower HOSA-Future Health Professionals to become leaders in the global health community, through education, collaboration, and experience.
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The Japanese National Honor Society recognizes and encourages achievement and excellence in the study of the Japanese language.
Explore the amazing culture of Japan through fun, hands-on activities and local events.
What’s the Commitment? We meet twice a month, plus you’ll get the chance to attend cool Japanese events in the community.
What’s Required? Just a positive attitude, a love for learning, and a willingness to participate in discussions and activities.
Membership Fee: $10 for the whole year!
Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps is a Physical Education or Elective credit that motivates young people to become better citizens using an accredited curriculum. Improve your interpersonal life skills with no military obligation.
Are you following @BerknerJROTC on Social Media?
Facebook: @BerknerJROTC Instagram: berknerjrotc Twitter: @BerknerJROTC
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Patrick Laverenz – +1 (469) 593-7235 – Website
Major, U.S. Army Retired
Senior Army Instructor
Berkner High School JROTC
1600 E Spring Valley Rd
Richardson, TX 75081
Room E106
Motto: Caring: Our way of life
Mission: An international student-led organization providing its members with opportunities to provide service, build character and develop leadership.
Core Values: Leadership, character building, caring and inclusiveness.
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Leader Outreach Opportunities Program (LOOP)- Women in STEM. This club supports young women who are developing their interest in future STEM careers through speakers, mentoring, learning activities, games and field trips. The club meets every Tuesday in the STEM Center after school from 4:30 to 5:30.
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Mariachi is a genre of regional Mexican music that dates back to at least the 18th century, evolving over time in the countryside of various regions of western Mexico. Richardson’s Berkner High School’s Mariachi Orgullo performs for the school and community.
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We are dedicated to inspiring a keen interest in mathematics, developing strong scholarship in the subject, and promoting the enjoyment of mathematics at Berkner High School.
- Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors who have higher than an 85 in their most recent math class (Algebra 2/Geometry or higher)
1-2 meetings per month
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Eric Funke (469) 593-7120
Serve Muslim students and alumni and facilitate their efforts to establish, develop, and maintain professionally-supported chapters of Muslim Student Associations. Emphasis is placed on the spiritual, religious, and social, civic growth and well-being of students.
Sponsor: Christy Choat
Berkner’s National Art Honor Society (NAHS) is an organization to inspire and foster creativity, leadership, and artistic excellence for students to demonstrate talents and express themselves in the form of visual arts. It provides a platform for students to come together and engage in various art-related activities and events that promote art appreciation and education within their school and community.
Overall, the National Art Honor Society serves as a platform for recognizing and encouraging young artists, promoting the importance of the arts in education and society, and nurturing a generation of creative and culturally engaged individuals.
Instagram: berknerhs_nahs
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Jessica Mikulewicz 469-593-7042
Haley Ferguson 469-593-7118
Student organization that is open to sophomores, juniors and seniors who have earned a 90+ GPA and submit their candidate materials to the faculty committee in October based on information provided via letter and email. The organization focuses on developing leadership, character, scholarship and service through volunteering in the school and community. Additional information can be obtained by talking to any NHS member or by emailing paula.rilling@risd.org.
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The award winning Berkner Area Orchestra program has a long tradition of excellence. The string program in the Berkner attendance area has an enrollment of over 300 students grades 6-12. Located in the Richardson Independent School District, our students participate in All Region Orchestra and the Texas Music Educators Association All-State Orchestras.
Facebook Berkner Orchestra Instagram @berknerorchestra 
Twitter @berknerorch
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How to become a Peer Helper: Peer Helpers is a class and organization of upper-class students that must be selected through the an application and interview process. Students are welcome to apply in early spring of their 10th and 11th grade years for selection into next year’s program.
What we do: Peer Helpers are campus leaders who are trained in problem solving and mentoring. We routinely visit and mentor elementary aged students at different schools in the Berkner feeder pattern.
Social Media: Instagram @berknerpals
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How to become a Peer Mediator: Peer Mediation is a class and organization of upper-class students that must be selected through the an application and interview process. Students are welcome to apply in early spring of their 10th and 11th grade years for selection into next year’s program.
What we do: Peer Mediators are campus leaders who are trained in conflict resolution skills to give each student in conflict a voice. Mediators guide the students to ensure each party’s concerns are heard while working toward resolution of the conflict in a safe space.
Our primary audience: Berkner High School students but we also work with our BLC to provide mentorship, training, and support.
Need to refer a student for Peer Mediation? Go to: http://tinyurl.com/BHSPeerMediation
Social Media: Instagram @berknerpals
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Berkner HS Country Western Dance/Stunt Team.
Facebook: BHSRamblers Twitter: @BHS_Ramblers Instagram: @berknerhs_ramblers
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- Marina Miller – Head Director – Website
- Matt Rielly – Assistant Director
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Collaboration on hands-on projects, learning about programming, engineering, and design while building robots for competitions and innovative challenges.
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Our meetings are a place where students of every gender and sexual orientation can come to feel safe and accepted.
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Help promote STEM activities on the BHS campus
Volunteer for evening or daytime events on campus and at other Berkner Learning Community schools
Learn to use different STEM tools in the STEM Center
Practice design thinking skills through STEM challenges
Meetings: Last Monday fo the month from 4:30 – 5:30
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- Keylana Jordan
The Berkner Swim Team is a fun and competitive team that strives for academic excellence, integrity, teamwork, and RAM PRIDE. They are a competitive, hardworking, dedicated group of student athletes who strive for their personal best on a daily basis. We have all levels represented in our program, from beginners learning the basics to advanced competitive swimmers. All are welcome to Join our Squad!
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- Kristin Slaight (Head Coach)- +1 (469) 593-7278
The Texas Association of Future Educators or TAFE (pronounced “taffy”) is a co-curricular statewide non-profit (501 c3) student organization created to allow young men and women an opportunity to explore the teaching profession.
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Ever wonder what goes on behind the scenes of all your favorite 
musicals and plays?
LIGHTS – SOUND – CURTAINS – COSTUMES
All necessary parts in order to make any show work!
In tech theater you will build and paint sets, design lighting and effects, make the magic of sound happen, create and fit costumes and much more. It’s a fun creative outlet and learning opportunity, where you can grow both your technical and personal skills.
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The Technology Student Association (TSA) is a national association of students engaged in STEM and the arts. Our membership is over 250,000 students strong, spanning 48 U.S. states, and includes high school and middle school students.
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- Mohammed Abdelrahim
- Brenda Sharpless
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- Nick Shovlin
- Jason Petty
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- Valerie Vermillion – Head Volleyball coach
TOPS – Teens Offering Peer Support (After School Group) is open to any secondary student who desires to maintain a positive healthy lifestyle, is open to learning effective ways to support peers, model positive life choices, and manage conflict in positive ways.
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