ATHLETICS & EXTRA/CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

ATHLETICS & EXTRA/CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Participation in school activities is a privilege. School activities provide the benefits of promoting additional interests and ability in the students during their school years and for their lifetime. Students will have an opportunity to participate in a school activity unless the activity is not offered or the student cannot participate for disciplinary reasons. The board must approve any activity event with travel outside the state of Iowa.

Much of the enjoyment you will receive from attending Washington Senior High School will be the result of your involvement in your athletic and co-curricular activities programs. Although it is difficult to provide something for everyone, we believe that we do offer a variety of athletics and extracurricular activities.

No student organization shall exist which is not approved by the Board of Directors, the Superintendent, and the Principal. Faculty representatives, with the help of students, shall determine the qualifications and regulations of student groups. Application for organizing a student group shall be relayed to the Principal through a faculty sponsor.

Archery: The Washington Archery Program is open to students in 4th-12th grade. The season takes place from November through March with practices occurring two days a week. Practices take place at Lincoln Elementary, Washington Middle School, and Washington High School with their respective grade levels. Teams may also earn the chance to attend Nationals and World Competitions.

Art Service Club: The Art Service Club is primarily composed of those students who have taken art or who are taking it now. However, any high school student interested in working on creative projects is eligible to join. The primary aim of the Art Service Club is to perform such services for the school as making program covers or posters, painting playsets, and any other projects, which require an artistic touch.

Athletics: Washington is a member of the Southeast Conference. Washington's athletes have earned their share of championships in conference & state competition and not only have the respect of their opponents through their ability, but also the fine sportsmanship displayed by the athletes, cheerleaders, coaches, and student body. The following athletic teams are planned for high school students this year:

Boys: Football, Cross Country, Basketball, Wrestling, Bowling, Track, Golf, Soccer, & Baseball

Girls: Volleyball, Cross Country, Basketball, Bowling, Track, Golf, Soccer, & Softball

Bass Fishing Club: Fishing Club Mission Statement

Is to provide a safe, team-oriented environment for students to get outdoors. My hope is that this will grow the sport of fishing. The end goal is for members to learn valuable lessons that will benefit them later in life and continue to learn through the sport

Club Description - Demon Bass Club is for students who are interested in Fishing. Our club will introduce you to other students who are also interested in fishing. There are two people who join our club. Students that are interested in fishing for fun and students who are interested in Bass Fishing Competitively.

Business Professionals of America: BPA is designed for students interested in pursuing careers in business. The objectives of the club are to develop career and technical understanding, civic consciousness, social intelligence, and leadership ability among its members. BPA is a national organization. Local members have an opportunity to participate at the local, state, and national levels in club activities.

Cheerleaders: Cheerleaders are very important in developing the right attitude in the student body and in establishing the reputation of the school among other schools. In the spring of each school year, all students who desire to be cheerleaders will be given an opportunity to try out.

Dance Team: This is an organization of boys and girls who perform dance routines for the benefit of audiences at athletic events during the year.

Earthbook: Earthbook is the school's literary magazine. Any WHS student may submit art or writing to the book. The staff is composed of those students enrolled in Advanced Creative Writing. They read submissions and determine the layout.

FFA: The National FFA Organization is a club for students who are taking agriculture education and are interested in farming. Activities are those related to cooperative activities, leadership, community service, and good citizenship.

Hi-Life: Hi-Life is the school annual. It is planned and published by the members of the Yearbook class. Academic credit is given for completion of each term's participation in the course. Students interested in working on the yearbook should contact the Journalism advisor.

Instrumental Music: The Washington Senior High School Instrumental Music Department consists of many varied performing groups. The marching band, concert band, symphonic band, stage band, pep band, ensembles, and solos are some of these. Anyone interested should contact the band director. There is a cleaning charge for uniforms. A number of performances are scheduled throughout the year.

JOI: Junior Optimist International-making communities better one service project at a time. Christmas Holiday Party to gather gifts for underprivileged children, Souper Bowl to raise funds for underprivileged children, Valentines for underprivileged children, Internet safety assembly.

La Onda: La Onda is a club for bilingual students AND students that want to be bilingual. Any interested high school student is eligible. The goals of the club include:

1. to unite all cultures and to do activities in which everyone can take part,

2. to be recognized by the community as a group that tries to help our community become stronger in their knowledge of Latinos/Hispanics,

3. to help make communication stronger between different groups and

4. to have fun as a school group.

Mini Dance Marathon: Every year in October WHS students begin planning a dance to raise money for the Children's Miracle Network at the UIHC in Iowa City. Held in conjunction with the University of Iowa Dance Marathon in February, this event has raised over $5,000 each year it has been held. Committees begin meeting in October and finish up with the dance at the end of January. This is a good opportunity to put your leadership skills to work helping others.

Peer Helpers: The Peer Helper Program is a means of training and utilizing the talents and energy of secondary students to help other students. After training, students have opportunities to use their skills by working with elementary students, special needs students, peer tutoring, or any other arranged activity.

Quill & Scroll: Quill and Scroll is a national honorary journalistic fraternity of which Washington Senior High School has a chapter. Members are named by the journalism instructor and yearbook advisor on the basis of superior work done for either the school paper or the yearbook. Membership of the local group is limited according to the by-laws to eight students, all of who must be juniors or seniors.

SADD: Students Against Destructive Decisions is a peer leadership organization dedicated to preventing underage drinking, drug usage, and other destructive decisions. SADD sponsors activities such as Red Ribbon Week, Have A Safe prom Weekend, No Alcohol Graduation Parties and others.

Special Olympics: The mission of the Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competitions in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children 8 years of age and older as well as adults with mental disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendships with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

Speech: Speech Activities prepares students for contests at the district and state levels-as both individuals and as groups-where they compete in speaking and dramatic areas, which include improv, acting, storytelling, one-act plays, poetry reading, and after-dinner speaking.

Student Congress: The Student Congress is a representative congress of the students. The purpose of the Congress is: To provide a body for the consideration of student problems and to cooperate in their solution; to participate in the projects for the development of good citizenship; to promote the general welfare of Washington Senior High School, its name, reputation, and possibilities for the achievement of its purpose; to cooperate with the faculty, administration, student body, and community in promoting worthwhile activities in the school; to charter all clubs; and to legislate for the good of the entire high school. All meetings are planned in advance.

Tae-kwon-do: The Washington Tae Kwon Do Club is all about improving one’s confidence. This could be a confidence in the individual’s ability to defend him/herself or a new found confidence in their physical and mental capabilities. This is accomplished through discipline, practice, and goal setting. Classes will follow a similar format every time and will consist of warmups, combination kicking, forms, sparring (one step & free), and board breaking. Students are expected to follow the tenets of Tae Kwon Do (courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, & indomitable spirit) both in and out of class. Techniques can be modified and adapted for all ability levels. Students will have the opportunity to test/promote every two months.

Vocal Music: The Vocal Music Department offers a varied program for students who wish to sing. There are three large groups selected each year: choir, chorus, and Hi-Fi's. All students are invited to try out. Music groups perform for school and community programs during the year as well as participating in the Southeast Conference Festival. Small groups and soloists are entered each year in the State Music Contest. Musicals are a part of the vocal program and are presented once every two years.

Washingtonian: Washingtonian, the school newspaper, is planned, written and published by members of the news production class. Students who wish to join the staff must pass the prerequisite class, journalistic writing.