Our Junior Varsity and Varsity Academic Teams compete in Quiz Bowl tournaments from October through April, consistently finishing among the top teams. These fast-paced competitions feature teams of four students facing off in a “Jeopardy”-style format, testing their knowledge and reflexes across a wide range of subjects.

Team members study, research, and memorize an impressive breadth of information—often developing specialties in areas such as sports, mythology, literature, history, science, and the arts. Academic Team offers a fun, challenging, and competitive environment that complements a college preparatory education.

Open to students from Freshman through Senior year, the Academic Team invites curious minds and quick thinkers to join us and contribute to our strong tradition of excellence.

Sponsors

Aaron Haugh
Brett Sharp
Academic Team Sponsor
Phone: 453-3450
Email: aaronmhaugh@gmail.com

Academic Team History
6 Conference Championships (2009, 2011-13, 2015-16)
3 District Championships (2013, 2015-16)
2 State Qualifier (2016, 2022)
4 Nationals Appearances (2012-13, 2015-16)

Students on the Chapel Team serve in various roles during Mass, including altar servers, lectors, and sacristans, helping support the liturgical life of the school.

Cheerleading tryouts are held each spring. Current SPX female students having a minimum of a 2.0 grade point average are eligible for tryouts.

Tryouts are held each spring for the dance team. Current female SPX students who have a minimum of a 2.0 grade point average are eligible to try out.

Accolades

Regionals

• ’25 KC Classic Div 1 Champions, 1st Place Pom, 1st Place Mix, 1st Place Jazz, Innovative Choreography- Tracy Kammerer
• ’23 LSN Invitational 1st Place Jazz, 1st Place Game Day, 2nd Place Pom
• ’22 KC Classic 1st Place Div 1 Pom, Precision Jazz, 2nd Place Game Day
• ’22 LSN Invitational Div. 1 Champions, Pom and Lyrical, Outstanding Pom Precision
• ’21 KC Classic Div. 1 Champions, Pom and Lyrical, Innovative Lyrical Choreography-Megan Jones

State

• ‘25 State Champions Div 1
• ’25 Senior Solo State Champion – Annalise Wagner
• ’25 Sophomore Solo State Champion – Jennie Quarrato
• ’22 3rd Place Div. 1
• ’18 State Champions Div 1

National Dance Alliance (NDA) Nationals

• ’25 Pom Finalist, 15th Place
• ’25 Jazz Semi-Finalist
• ’24 Pom Finalist, Jazz Finalist

National Dance Alliance (NDA) Camp

• ’25 Team Dance Circle of Winners
• ’25 Top Gun Turns – Annalise Wagner
• ’25 All American Team Members – Annalise Wagner, Jennie Quarrato, Charley Scheid, Olivia Ohden
• ’22 Herkie Teamwork Award
• ’22 All American Varsity & JV: Bella Witthar, Katie Jane Karlstrand, Isabella Mandacina, Lily Quinn, Olivia Ohden
• ’22 Team Performance Circle of Winners – 1st Place, Gold – Varsity & JV
• National Championship Bid – Varsity & JV

Debate students compete at schools throughout the metro in multiple speech and debate events, including parliamentary debate, public forum, extemporaneous speaking (U.S. & International), Lincoln-Douglas, and student congress. The debate season runs from September to May. Students at all grade levels may compete. Practices are held immediately after school twice a week, which gives students time to participate in other sports or activities (schedules permitting). St. Pius X hosts 1 tournament each year where parents may participate as judges or help with hospitality.

A team of SPX students and adult leaders from the Kansas City area who travel to the San Andrés Itzapa region of Guatemala to perform mission work and serve local communities.

To learn more about Mission Guatemala, click here.

The National Honor Society & National Junior Honor Society are the nation’s premier organizations established to recognize outstanding high school and middle-level students. More than just an honor roll, NHS and NJHS honors those students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of Scholarship, Leadership, Service,  and Character (and Citizenship for NJHS). These characteristics  have been associated with membership in the organization since  their beginnings in 1921 & 1929.

Students may not apply for membership in the National Honor Society. Membership is granted only to those students selected by the faculty council (National NHS Handbook. 11). “Candidates must have a cumulative scholastic average of at least 3.0….Candidates will then be evaluated on the basis of service, leadership, and character” (National NHS Handbook. 5). NHS members and prospective candidates serve their school, classmates, and community by demonstrating leadership in promoting school activities, academics and service, both in the school and in the community; in addition, they pledge to uphold the highest principles of morality and ethics.

The Robotics team meets every Wednesday at 7:30 AM. Students gain hands-on experience in designing, building, and programming robots while developing problem-solving and teamwork skills. As part of their commitment to service, the team supports Heifer International, an organization focused on ending hunger and poverty through sustainable solutions.

(Students Against Destructive Decisions formerly known as Students Against Drunk Driving) SADD has become a peer leadership organization dedicated to preventing destructive decisions, particularly underage drinking, other drug use, impaired driving, teen violence and teen depression and suicide. All students are welcome to join. SADD meets monthly depending on various planned activities.

Sarton Singers is an auditioned choir that performs throughout the community, giving concerts and participating in liturgies. In addition to local performances, members have the opportunity to compete individually and in ensembles at the District and State levels each fall and spring.

Recent achievements include an All-District vocalist (one of the top 35 in the Kansas City Metro), an All-State violinist (ranked among the top 35 in Missouri), and two vocalists who placed 1st in both District and State competitions.

SPX Ambassadors are student leaders who represent St. Pius X within our school, in our local grade schools and out in our community. They participate in tours, parish visits, pep rallies and various other campus events. They enthusiastically share about their experience at St. Pius X, are knowledgeable about the workings of our school, lead in faith and welcome prospective students and families. The Ambassador program seeks to assist students in growing interpersonal skills, especially in the areas of communication, networking and public speaking.

SPX Theatre Program—where faith & creativity take center stage while we bring stories to life & inspire imagination!
“Let your light shine.” — Matthew 5:16

The SPX Theatre Program invites students to discover their God-given talents through performance, creativity, and collaboration. Whether stepping into the spotlight or working behind the scenes, students are encouraged to grow in confidence, develop meaningful friendships, and use their gifts to tell stories that inspire, entertain, and challenge audiences.

Our productions provide opportunities for students of all experience levels to become involved. From acting, singing, and dancing to set construction, lighting, sound, costumes, makeup, stage management, and technical production, every role is essential to bringing each performance to life. Theatre at SPX is a place where every student has the opportunity to belong and contribute.

Throughout the school year, students participate in a variety of performances that showcase their talents while building communication, leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. These experiences not only prepare students for the stage but also equip them with confidence and character that will serve them long after graduation.

At SPX, theatre is more than putting on a show—it’s about building community, embracing creativity, growing in faith, and allowing each student’s unique light to shine for others.

A group of students and faculty dedicated to protecting the dignity of human life from conception to natural death. Activities include volunteering at local pregnancy centers and maternity homes, participating in pro-life events, and supporting related causes at both the local and national levels.

Offered as a course, X-Factor Broadcasting provides students with the skills and knowledge to be informed consumers of media in a technological society. Our main responsibility is to produce the daily announcements (the X-Factor), cover school events, and learn the purpose and skills of journalism. The course provides the opportunity for students to learn basic journalistic and technological skills used in a career of radio, digital, and television production.

Students will research, gather, and analyze information to create audio & video productions for broadcast to a variety of audiences. In this course, students will work with sensitive equipment, so they must be responsible and trustworthy. In addition, students must be self-motivated, dependable, and able to work well as a team. Student tasks include script writing, video recording, and video editing.

They will also assist the St. Pius X community and staff on video projects, as needed. Students will gain an understanding of preproduction, on-air, and post-production roles and responsibilities of news broadcasting. Outside work is expected.

The TIARA is the student-produced yearbook of St. Pius X High School. This is an extracurricular activity that freshmen through seniors are eligible to join. The editor is a junior or senior who has shown a great degree of dedication to the staff for at least one year. Yearbook meets after school two to three nights per week. Duties consist of taking photos, writing captions, designing page layouts, etc.