We meet as a club to plan for the yearly AAPI Showcase which includes designing merchandise (hoodies, keychains, totebags), decorations, tabling, scheduling, and organizing performances. We look forward to any collaboration and fundraising ideas! 

When: Friday Enrichments 124

Join: Show up! (Level 3)

Leaders: Cindy Cen- ccen@cps.edu, Danny Lin - dlin5@cps.edu 

Sponsor: Mr. Valentin Torres

Asian American Club offers a space for all AAPI students to intermingle and collaborate with one another, gaining deeper understanding of each student’s cultural background and traditions.

When: Monday Enrichments 116

Join: Show up! (Level 1)

President: Adrien Lloyd Castor - accastor@cps.edu

Leaders: Hannah Braunreiter - hrbraunreiter@cps.edu - Kavin Bendre - kabendre@cps.edu - Sean Gao sxxiang@cps.edu - Ethan Chen echen18@cps.edu - Raksha Aradhyula raradhyula@cps.edu - Richard Wang - rlwang@cps.edu - Preston Du pdu2@cps.edu - Alice Lau - alau10@cps.edu - Mohika Pari - mpari1@cps.edu- Mika Matsuyama - mmatsuyama@cps.edu

Sponsor: Ms. Elizabeth Smith, Ms. Jennifer Dao 

Achievements: coordinating AAPI Showcase & AAPI Heritage Month Compass

Social Media: Instagram: @wpcpaac

A space for beginners to learn ASL and practice with their peers!

When: Every other Thursday Enrichments 122

Join: Show up! (Level 3)

Leaders: Hana Levy (hblevy1@cps.edu) & Ruby Pfetcher (repfetcher@cps.edu)

Sponsor: Mr. Flavio Quintanilla

Social Media: Instagram: @wpcp.aslclub 

Asians in Music AIM high! Join us to play instruments (modern and traditional) to create an ensemble appreciating Asian music. We'll perform at events both in and out of school. Rehearsal days for members only, but non-rehearsal days are open to all for cultural info presentations (reach out if you'd like to lead your own presentation!). Bring your own instrument, relax, and let's play!

When: Friday Enrichments 

Join: Show up! (Level 3)

Leaders: Jocelyn Lin (jlin53@cps.edu) - Samantha Soung (swsoung@cps.edu)

Sponsor: Ms. Tiffany Batiste-Gilmore

Leader:  David Roche - DRoche3@cps.edu

Sponsor: Ms. Erika Stevens

Leader:  Eric Chen - echen15@cps.edu

Sponsor: Ms. Christina Xu

Through our interactive seminars, Dulzura Folklorico encourages the exploration of traditional dancing techniques. Dancers of all levels are welcome to join, no matter their experience. We also provide multiple performance opportunities throughout the year, so join if you are hoping to gain experience on stage. Potlucks and games strengthen our community of dancers that Dulzura Folklorico revolves around.

When: Wednesday Seminar 1 East Cafe

Join: Show up! (Level 2)

President: Oscar Perez (operez66@cps.edu)

Leaders: Maya Wojciechowski (mtwojciechow@cps.edu) - Jesiah Mendoza (jimendoza4@cps.edu)

Sponsor: Ms. Jennifer Rodriguez

Achievements: Performed at the Cultural Fair, LAC Compass, and other local events.

Social Media: @wpcpfolklorico

Our mission is to create a vibrant Christian community in Payton, study the Bible together, and discuss the world through a Christian lens. Our meetings are open to Christians and non-Christians alike

When: Monday Enrichments 320

Join: Show up! (Level 2)

Leaders: Isaac Doi- ijdoi@cps.edu, Hannah Doi - hedoi@cps.edu, and Natan Hatcher - nhatcher@cps.edu 

Sponsor: Ms. Barge

Achievements: We host 3-5 five potlucks a year

Irish Club celebrates Irish culture, history, and traditions. Through meetings, we will explore aspects of Irish culture, like music, dance, sports, traditions, and language. Activities include watching Irish films/sports games, trying traditional foods, and hosting Irish-themed events, as well as learning basic Irish-Gaelic phrases. Whether you're Irish or just curious, this club offers a fun way to immerse yourself in a unique cultural experience! 

When: Friday Enrichments 

Join: Show Up!

President:  Declan Parker - dparker35@cps.edu, Evelyn Brusznicki - EBrusznicki1@cps.edu

Leaders: Gwyneth Shaw - ggshaw@cps.edu, Henry O'Toole - hjotoole@cps.edu, Keller McGovern - kmcgovern2@cps.edu

Sponsor: Mr. Joseph Quinones

JADE is Payton’s very own Chinese dance team that celebrates the beauty and spirit of Chinese culture through dance. We perform a mix of elegant, traditional Chinese dances and powerful, thrilling wushu, with the occasional high-energy C-pop piece. Our mission is to share and appreciate the richness of China’s history, while building a welcoming community for everyone passionate about dance and Chinese culture.

When: Thursday Enrichment, Seminar 1 in Dance Room

Join: Application Process

Application: Around the beginning of the school year, we teach a 30 second to minute long audition dance to the applicants during our Thursdays enrichments and after school. After a week or so, we hold auditions in our enrichment and send the audition results to the applicants. 

Presidents: Allison Mei (amei22@cps.edu) - Christina Lin (clin5@cps.edu)

Leaders:  MengJia Dong (mdong1@cps.edu) - Preston Du (pdu2@cps.edu)

Sponsor: Ms. Tiffany Batiste-Gilmore 

Achievements: Platinum & Gold at the Taoli World Dance Competition

Social Media: Instagram @jade.dance34 

Japanese Culture Club is a fun and welcoming club for anybody to engage with Japanese culture, eat traditional foods, and create crafts. We aim to expand knowledge and provide a safe space for learning! 

When: Monday Enrichments

Join: Show up! (Level 1)

Leader: Ema Cheng-Tanaka (echeng-tana@cps.edu) & Saya Tanabe - (stanabe@cps.edu)

Sponsor: Mr. Eric Kuchii

Achievements: In the past year, we have partnered with other Asian cultural clubs such as Korean Culture Club and we have also participated in the Cultural Fair at Walter Payton. 

Social Media: Instagram - @wpcp.jcc

A space for Jewish + non Jewish peers to come together and learn about, embrace, and participate in lessons relating to Jewish holidays, heritage and culture! 

When: Monday Enrichments 306

Join: Show up! (Level 1)

Leader:  Caylie Kromelow  - cekromelow@cps.edu 

Sponsor: Mr. Paul Gilden

Social Media: Instagram - @walterpayton_jsc 

SHF members meet regularly to promote continuity of interest in French studies, by competing in the National French Contest, organizing French language events and field trips, and fundraising and/or providing services to Francophone and/or local communities.

When: Thursday Enrichments 136

Join: Application Process (Level 3)

President: Peter Hornstra - phhornstra@cps.edu 

Leaders: Camille Kejo - ckejo@cps.edu, Hector Rodriguez - hrodriguez47@cps.edu, Claire Anderson - canderson49@cps.edu, Rayya Babar - rbabar@cps.edu, Elizabeth Galioto - egalioto@cps.edu, Shanna Homawoo - sehomawoo@cps.edu 

Sponsor: Mme. Marnice Lewis

Social Media: Instagram - @paytonshf

Leader:  Alejandro Hernandez - AHernandez980@cps.edu 

Sponsor: Mrs. Michelle Daly

PAA has presentations, guest speakers, and group discussions on a variety of topics surrounding disability and ableism.

When: Tuesday Enrichments 

Join: Show up! (Level 1)

Leaders: Graysen Butts (gbutts1@cps.edu) - Elaine Chao (ekchao@cps.edu)

Sponsor: Mr. Kevin Allison

Achievements: We held Payton's first ever Pride Month compass in 2024! We are now aiming to host our first fundraiser and do much more!

Social Media: Instagram- @paytonqsa

Leader:  Nicholas Kallos - NCKallos@cps.edu 

Sponsor: Ms. Georgia Tolias

Payton Masti is a South Asian fusion dance group. We perform many styles of dance including Bollywood, Bhangra, Kuthu, Garba, Kathak, and more! We perform for school events and events around the city. 

When: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday Enrichment, Seminar 2, Third Floor Atrium

Join: Application Process - We have annual auditions to join at the beginning of the year, but are open to any new members throughout the year if they pass an evaluation. (Level 5)

President: Maya Shah - mvshah@cps.edu, Ashna Sahni - asahni@cps.edu 

Sponsor: Mrs. Mirelle Rivera, Mrs. Kaellagh Cassidy

Social Media:  Instagram - @wpcpmasti

Leader:  Evelyn Brusznicki - EBrusznicki1@cps.edu

Sponsor: Mr. Matthew Olson

Queer Student Alliance (QSA) is a community of students containing both queer people and allies. We aim to educate people on queer topics and encourage other queer people and allies to connect with each other. 

When: Friday Enrichments 305

Join: Show up! (Level 3)

Leaders: Abigail Chan -  achan19@cps.edu, Basil Sanchez - gsanchez95@cps.edu, Kellen Chou - echou@cps.edu, Rocko Sabo - ssabo@cps.edu, Madisyn Bridges - mgbridges@cps.edu, Anna Buckley - abuckley2@cps.edu, and Jelly Alonzo - analonzo1@cps.edu 

Sponsor: Ms. Patricia Guizzetti and Mr. William Hoekwater

Achievements: We held Payton's first ever Pride Month compass in 2024! We are now aiming to host our first fundraiser and do much more!

Social Media: Instagram- @paytonqsa

Leader: Bogdan Jones - bfjones1@cps.edu  

Sponsor:  Mr. Kirk Halverson

When: Thursday Enrichment 

Join: Show up! 

Leaders: Gabi Figueroa (gmfigueroa3@cps.edu) 

Sponsor: Mr. Vincent Vinluan, and Mr. Aaron Weiss

Leaders: Chloe Olaizola - colaizola@cps.edu, and Galadriel Guerra 

Sponsor: Mrs. Jaqueline Sulisz

TAK has been a space for Payton's K-Pop dancers for over a decade! We perform at many school events and for the broader Chicago community, showcasing powerful and entertaining K-Pop dances, although we also dabble in other genres. 

When: Enrichments, Seminar 2 Atrium

Join: Application Process (Level 5)

• TAK hosts annual tryouts every fall. We teach dance material during designated times and expect dedication outside of school to learning dances. We then hold tryouts with this material on a later date. 

Leaders: Adrien Lloyd Castor - accastor@cps.edu, Gabi Figueroa - Gmfigueroa3@cps.edu, Jashan Dalal - jtdalal@cps.edu, Elisa Xie - exie2@cps.edu, Monserratt Figueroa Ramirez - mafigueroara@cps.edu,  Jakari Hughes jihughes@cps.edu 

Sponsor: Ms. Spooner

Achivments: Performed twice at Bulls games. 

Social Media: Instagram- @takwpcp

Ukrainian Club informs students about Ukrainian culture, history, and current events. The club provides a safe and fun space for students by providing Ukrainian snacks, playing engaging games, and allowing students to embrace themselves. Additionally, our club aims to volunteer and/or raise money for struggling Ukrainians. All are welcome :)

When: Every other Friday Enrichment 130 

Join: Show up! (Level 1)

Presidents: Max Ivanyshyn-Ugryn  - mivanyshynugryn@cps.edu, Tatiana Salyga - tlsalyga@cps.edu

Leaders: Roman Stashkiv - rstashkiv@cps.edu, Ivanna Dzhadzha - iadzhadzha@cps.edu, Sofiia Balan - sbalan1@cps.edu, Julian Fuoco - jtfuoco@cps.edu

Sponsor: Ms. Jeannie Chang

Social Media: Instagram- @wpcp.ukiclub