Activities and Clubs

All club advisors are faculty members of Norton City Schools. To contact a club advisor by telephone, dial 330-825-7300 and enter the extension when prompted.

Academic Challenge / Quiz Bowl

Dr. Stewart, ext. 531112

The Academic Challenge Team is designed for those students interested in displaying their intellectual talents from a wide variety of subjects. Students in grades 9-12 compete on a four-member team against other schools in the Summit County League. The team is required to recall information in fine arts, history, literature, math, science, and various miscellaneous topics. Practices for the season run for most of the year, but regular league play begins in October and ends in February. Other events for which the team may qualify include competitions at the State, Regional, and National Levels. If selected, the team also has the option of competing on the Academic Challenge television show. Team members earn an Academic Letter after one year of successful play.

Art Club

Ms. Thornberry, ext. 532116

The Norton High School Art Club is intended for and is open to all students who enjoy art, students who want more art than their class or schedule allows, and for the student who is unable to fit an art class into their high school schedule. The club provides artistic opportunities beyond the walls of the classroom. The club participates in some activities that benefit the high school and City of Norton community. Students must have an interest in art and be willing to use their heart, hands, and mind to create art. Art Club is also the sponsoring arm of the National Art Honor Society.

Competitive Speech & Debate

Mrs. Pletcher, ext. 532151

The Speech and Debate Team, otherwise known as the Forensics Team, offers students opportunities to develop skills in oral presentation, argumentation, speech writing, acting, and interpretation of literature. In acting and interpretive events, students work independently and with their coach to present cuttings from plays, novels, and literature. In debate events, students research and write briefs to argue current issues and topics. Students can also participate in speech writing events in which speeches are written in advance or impromptu. The Forensics Speech and Debate Team competes in tournaments against local and regional high schools, and is affiliated with the National Forensics League National Speech and Debate Association and the Ohio High School Speech League Ohio Speech and Debate Association. Participating students also have the opportunity to earn membership into the National Forensic League National Speech and Debate Association and to gain access to local and national scholarships

Drama Club

Mrs. Pletcher, ext. 532151

The Norton Drama Club provides students with the opportunity to appear on stage and contribute to the artistic and creative production process as technicians and designers. In addition to expressing themselves as actors, Norton students are offered the opportunities to serve in a facet of backstage opportunities including set design, stage hands, and sound/lighting technicians. Annually, Norton High School offers students two major productions (one in the fall and one in the late winter/early spring) as well as a variety of assorted dramatic skits and cuttings. Students expressing talent in their respective dramatic outlets and those contributing a number of service hours within the club are selected as members of the Norton High School Chapter of the National Thespian Society each year. Students interested in participating in the Norton Drama Club should seek audition materials and member application from the drama directors.

Family, Career, Community Leaders of America (FCCLA)

Mrs. Barnhart, ext. 532108

FCCLA is only for students in Family and Consumer Science classes currently or in past years. We are a Career-Technical organization that focuses on leadership and service. Our main projects are cooking for the Veteran’s Day breakfast, sponsoring the Giving Tree, and making felt tic-tac-toe boards for Children’s Hospital. Students are required to participate in a service project.

Key Club (Kiwanis Club of Norton)

Ms. Snyder-Lee, ext. 532121 and Ms. Christoff, ext. 532150

Key Club is a social and service group that is the “junior” version of our parent club, Norton Kiwanis. The service activities are extremely valuable for students needing job references, as part of National Honor Society requirements, and for college applications. Service activities include Cider & Cherry Blossom Festivals, Cider Festival Bike Run, Salvation Army kettles and holiday projects, Christmas caroling at senior citizens’ facilities, tutoring at latchkey and local churches, collecting food, clothing, toys, eyeglasses and cell phones for various agencies, community prayer breakfast, spirit carnations, Rose Day Delivery, and “Kiss A Senior Goodbye” fundraising projects. The club is open to all students at any time of the school year and works around sports or work schedules. Meetings are held every Thursday in room 216. Activities & agendas are posted outside the advisor’s classroom, Room 215.

IMPACT

Mr. Cully, ext. 532195 and Mrs. Saurer, ext. 532194

Impact is a group of students that get together for activities and discussions based on the Bible. We meet Thursday during Panther Time in the advisor’s classroom. Two weeks of the month are discussions and we talk about the Bible and apply it to the lives of teenagers. One week we spend time singing praise songs, and the last week of the month is spent having fun and playing games together. One night a month we have an evening activity. These activities include dinner, sled riding, and similar pastime endeavors.

National Art Honor Society

Ms. Levack, ext. 532111

National Art Honor Society is an organization sponsored by the Norton High School Art Club and recognized by 

the National Art Education Association as a way to recognize and inspire those who have shown an outstanding 

ability in art. Students must be nominated and accepted to the Society. Membership is based on and considers 

the following four criteria: Art Scholarship, Academic Scholarship, Character, and Service. Students must maintain 

a 3.25 average in Art and an overall average of 2.75. Students in the Society work with the Norton High School Art 

Club to create service and art projects, and donate their time and talent where needed. Students in the society are 

eligible for National scholarships and recognition. 

National Technical Honor Society

Mrs. Ward, ext. 532118

Available to juniors and seniors in a Career/Tech program. Student must have a minimum 3.0 GPA over the most 

recent semesters; A– grade or better in their Career/Tech course. They must also have 95% attendance, no discipline issues, a desire to pursue an education in the Career/Tech field they are in, high moral character and a positive attitude. An application and essay are a requirement.

National Honor Society

Mrs. Mohseninia, ext. 532145 and Mrs. Ball, ext. 532136

The Norton Chapter of the National Honor Society is more than just an Honor Roll. The Honor Society chapter 

establishes rules for membership that are based upon a student’s outstanding performance in the areas of scholarship, service, leadership and character (plus citizenship for Norton High School). These criteria for selection form the foundation upon which the organization and it’s activities are built.

Pep Club

Mrs. Williams, ext. 532128

Pep club welcomes any student that would like to join to help promote positive spirit for our staff, students, and athletes. The focus of activities include decorating for freshmen orientation, decorating for sporting events, designing and selling spirit shirts of the week, coordinating tailgating at the football games, and helping to plan pep assemblies. Pep Club meets multiple times a month during Panther Time, after school, and any time we need to decorate for an event. 

Prom Committee

Mrs. Williams, ext. 532128

Any junior or senior is welcome to join Prom Committee. The Prom Committee is responsible for the planning of all school 

dances including Homecoming and Prom. Students in Prom Committee help select the Prom theme, colors, décor and help decorate, set up and clean up at dances. Planning for Prom begins in January and continues until the Prom in May. Meetings will be held during Panther Time and after school as needed.

Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD)

Ms. Bissler, ext. 532156

SADD is a peer leadership organization dedicated to preventing destructive decisions including underage drinking, other drug use, driving under the influence, teen violence, and teen depression and suicide. All students are welcome to join and become a member of SADD. Meetings are immediately after school and are usually held twice a month.

Spanish Club

Mrs. Horst, ext. 532112 and Mrs. Pilasky, ext. 532144

Spanish Club is an organization devoted to the enrichment of the Spanish curriculum at Norton High School. Our goal is to further the understanding of the language and customs of the Hispanic world while providing a social outlet for students who share these interests. To join, you must be enrolled in a Spanish class during the school year, or must have previously taken Spanish. We have five minute meetings on the 1st Monday of school each month in order to decide on a cultural activity or excursion for that month. This club is designed to be student led, so student input and interest guides our monthly activities. 

Student Council

Ms. Braman, ext. 532133

Student Council, a prominent student government organization, gives students a voice in determining school activities and 

environment. It helps promote activities for the entire student body at Norton High School and fosters a positive climate 

throughout the school. To be eligible, a student must file a petition for nomination with a sponsor. Elections are held for 

officers and any interested student may run for class offices or executive board positions.