GPHS Club Interviews

In this article, Teagan McNamara interviews advisors and student members of three clubs at Grants Pass high school including: Mock Trial, Thespian Troupe 2354 and German Club.

Grants Pass High School Club Interviews

By Teagan McNamara

There are still many ways to get involved with extra activities, such as clubs, at Grants Pass High School! In all, there are 23 clubs on campus, which gives options and variety to students. Every month, Teagan will be featuring three clubs to interview.

Mock Trial

Mock Trial is a team of students who prepare and present legal cases and take roles to compete against other teams.

Advisor: Jonathon Knapp

President: Audrey Roetling

Meeting times: Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:30 to 5:30 (Resuming next October)

Location: Room 134

Mock Trial is a competitive club in which students simulate a real trial, taking on the roles of lawyers and witnesses for both civil and criminal cases. Students are provided with evidence and statements to build both sides of a case, both Plaintiff (or prosecution) and Defense, and then compete against other teams in real courtrooms with real judges. Knapp, advisor of Mock Trial, says, “I advise Mock Trial because I love seeing students take the bare bones of a case and develop it in so many directions that I could not have predicted. The arguments that our members form and the ideas that they produce are impressive and delightful.” For anyone who has a curious and creative mind to solve a mystery, this would be a perfect club to consider joining. Mock Trial helps develop public speaking skills, critical thinking, and the ever-popular art of argument. It is highly encouraged for anyone interested to come and join early next year. Mock Trial will be wrapping up for the year and will resume next October.

Mock Trial President Audrey Roetling says, “As Mock Trial President, I love Mock Trial because a lawyer is a job I am seriously considering. Mock Trial brings in lawyers, pre-law college students, who answer all your questions and educate you on techniques. It is not just local attorneys, but we also got to Zoom a big deal attorney in New York City. The cool thing about Mock Trial is that it doesn't just need students like me who are into debates and cases, but actors who can play plaintiffs, defendants, and witnesses.” In this club, there are numerous case-related games. Mock Trial has been a club at Grants Pass High School for some time, but was recently reintroduced after the pandemic. GPHS is planning on reviving an official Mock Trial team that goes to competitions. This program is welcome to all students next year. Consider joining, even with little to no experience. Audrey explains, “I joined the Mock Trial a few weeks after it started in November. The club is twice a week: typically from November to January/ February, depending on when competition is held. If anyone is interested in joining the Mock Trial team, then next year they can contact Mr. Jonathon Knapp or myself (Audrey Roetling) with any questions or concerns. We will decide what two days a week to meet by popular vote or when the majority of people are avaliable.”

Join Mock Trial to learn to compete against other students in complex legal cases.

Photo credit: Tort Talk

Thespian Troupe

Thespian Troupe is where theater students participate in activities and have various opportunities for thespian events.

Advisor: Julia Cuppy

President: Riot Ehens

Meeting times: 2nd and 4th Wednesdays during lunch

Location: Room 517

Mrs.Cuppy, the advisor of the Thespian Troupe, says, “Thespian Troupe 2354 has a long history here at GPHS. It started in 1981 and has served as a way to recognize and celebrate the artistic and academic achievements of theatre students.” Every year, students participate in thespian events such as the Play in a Day festival, Regional Acting Competition and State festival. 1000s of theatre students come together from around Oregon to learn, create and advocate for theatre. Multiple students can earn top honors at the competitions. Last year, GPHS was selected as an honor troupe for showing meritorious work supporting our larger theatre community by producing All Together Now, a benefit concert for theatre companies of Grants Pass. The troupe is led by student Thespian Troupe officers that organize monthly meetings, help to select the production season and create a mission of the Thespian Troupe. This school year’s mission statement reads, “We are a diverse, artistic ensemble of theatre advocates who use our many skills and abilities to collectively present universal human truths on stage. For the future of our art, we share these with each other and the larger community by inspiring people to think, feel, and take action.” At the end of each school year, an awards ceremony is held. Scholarships are presented, awards are given and graduating seniors are recognized. Cuppy says, “I advise the Thespian Troupe because it is a fantastic way to engage with students outside of class. Students do not have to be in a show or in a class to participate in the Thespian Troupe. It is always for all students to participate in any way that they can. It also is fun and I enjoy attending all of the events with the students.” Students should consider joining the Thespian Troupe to have a good time, meet new people, attend events, and support the many different shows throughout the year. This club has lots of fun. Several scholarships are available. There are events at colleges that are given to thespian troupe members. This is a considerable resume addition, which also gives students ways to earn volunteer hours for our sparrow or other groups.

Riot, the president of the Thespian Troupe says, “My favorite part of being president of the Thespian Troupe is watching everybody come together to enjoy a fun creative environment and watching friendships grow.” Riot joined Thespian Troupe in September of their junior year-- a year and eight months now.

Join the Thespian Troupe to learn more about theater and current events at the Grants Pass Performing Arts Center theater that you can be a part of.

Photo credit: Thespian Troupe 2354

German Club

In German Club, there are games, movies and activities to participate in, while learning about German culture.

Advisor: Ursula Horstmann-Nash

Co-President: Riley Barta

Meeting times: Every Tuesday right after school

Location: Room 113

Frau Nash, the advisor of the German Club, says that there is no pre-set agenda in the club and the activities that the group schedules really depend on the interests of the club members. Typically, at the beginning of each semester, the club president (or this year: co-presidents) meet with her and discuss the various options and student interests. Knowledge of German is not a requirement, but a general interest in cultural differences is important. One of the best ways of getting to know a culture is through food. Many of the activities involve baking or cooking or, in other words, eating. There is a German saying, “Liebe geht durch den Magen,” which might best be translated as “The best way to a person’s heart is through their stomach” and that is a motto that German Club follows quite often. In the past, they have made potato pancakes, German pasta (“Spätzle”), and onion tart. This year, the club has mostly focused on baking so far. For example, they baked a “Sunken Apple Cake” and a “Lightning Cake”. “Spaghetti- Eis” (a popular German ice cream dish that looks like spaghetti with tomato sauce) is always popular. Mrs. Leair, the culinary arts teacher, has so generously opened the kitchen facilities for this club and they appreciate it very much. Past crafts they have made include making masks for Carnivals or Halloween, and holiday-related crafts, like Christmas stars or lanterns. Another activity they have done was ballroom dancing, an activity that is quite popular in German-speaking countries. They also watch movies in German. German Club is one way to have fun and hang out together while learning something about another culture in a very hands-on way. Nash explains, “In class, my focus is mostly on language acquisition as I am trying to maximize the limited amount of time that students have to be exposed to it. While I am incorporating other cultural elements (oftentimes music, because it also has a linguistic element to it), other aspects of German-speaking cultures don’t get too much attention. However, learning another language is also learning different cultural practices. Learning another language is entering another world. As we all know, our world is more than just our language, so I am happy to share other aspects (such as food and traditions) with anyone who is interested.” There are many reasons to join German Club, like meeting new people while learning something new in a low-stress, no-grades environment. Anyone who has a German background and family who wants to learn more should join. Anyone who is interested in different cultures of the world, or specifically European culture, should also be interested.

Riley Barta, one of the co-presidents of German Club says their favorite part of being co-president is playing a role in decision making. They love planning out club events like baking days, and love seeing plans come to fruition. Riley explains “I came to the German Club at the first meeting. At that time, we were debating if we would even have enough people for the club. Luckily, there were four of us there meaning we could officially be a club. This was sometime in the first month of school. I have been a part of the club since. It has been really fun watching our group of four grow into about fifteen people per meeting.”

Join German Club to learn more about German culture and language.

Photo credit: German Club

Sources:

Grants Pass High School club students and advisors

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