Extra/Cocurricular Activities

CHESS CLUB 
This club is an after-school chess club that provides CHS students with an opportunity to gather for companionship to play chess and other games of strategy. All students, from beginners to experienced chess players, are welcome to attend.
Sponsor: Mr. DeRuntz
For more information, please email the sponsor.

CLUB EARTH
This club is an extracurricular activity that encourages students to become active participants in the natural world. The group stresses education, stewardship and hands-on experience. Activities include environmental restoration work, habitat cleaning, meeting with environmental activists, and much more. All students interested in helping to care for the natural world are encouraged to join.
Sponsor: Mrs. Wallace
For more information, please email the sponsor. 
 

CREATIVE WRITERS
Creative Writing Club is a club in which students can share their written work from any genre in a supportive atmosphere and get constructive feedback from fellow scribes  Bring your writing and a thoughtful and accepting mindest- we would love to see you!
Sponsor: Mrs. Lute-Brown
For more information, please email the sponsor. 

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS CLUB
This afterschool Dungeons and Dragons club provides CHS students with the opportunity to gather for interactive role-play centered around a Dungeons & Dragons campaign. All students, from first-timers to veteran players, are welcome to attend.
Sponsor: Mrs. Carden
For more information, please email the sponsor

FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES
Sponsor: Mrs. Marnee Flinn-Smith & Mr. Bernie Stento

FIBER ARTS CLUB
Do you knit, crochet, embroider, cross stitch, weave or do some other craft involving yarn? This club meets once a week, every two weeks. Students can come, pull up a chair, and work on a project and chat with others about their projects. The group members showoff and talk about their projects with one another. Group members will also show interested students how to do the basics of crochet or knitting.
Sponsor: Miss Schafer

GIRLS RISING 
This club is open to students of all genders who are interested in discussing and working to improve issues related to gender inequality. Girls Rising also sponsors an annual donation drive to collect feminine hygiene products for area women's shelters.  
Sponsor: Mrs. Wilt 
For more information, please email the sponsor

NATURAL HELPERS 
This program is based on the premise that adolescents seek help from their friends before they turn to other sources. Within each circle of friends and acquaintances, there is often an individual whose sensitivity, fair-mindedness, and ability to listen are recognized by peers. By means of a school-wide survey, the Natural Helpers program seeks out such individuals and offers an intensive training retreat to enhance the skills of those students, faculty, and staff who are perceived as “helpers” in the school community.
Sponsor: Mrs. Dyer & Mr. Knauff

NEWSPAPER STAFF members publish SANDSCRIPT, and in the process, learn what is involved in gathering and preparing news for publication. Students gather all information, write and copyedit stories, layout and paste-up pages, sell advertising, and proofread final copy on pages. Staff members must be willing to accept responsibility and carry out assignments. While some positions on the newspaper require only the recommendation of an English teacher and permission of the advisor, the staff enrolls in a course that meets one block every other day each semester for one credit in Fine Arts. In addition to in-class time, the staffers can expect to sometimes spend time after school, on weekends, during school year extended breaks working on the newspaper.  Photographers are required to attend sporting and other events if they are assigned to these events. Knowledge of the use of computers is definitely a plus.
Sponsor: Mrs. Jendrzejczyk
For more information, please email the sponsor.

PEER TUTORS 
This is a student-to-student tutoring opportunity for anything from Bio 1, Geometry, Algebra 1, to Chemistry. This can be taken for a class credit or you can aide during your SRT or studyhall.  NHS volunteer hours wil apply for aides.  This group also participates in service projects
Sponsor: Mrs. Goodman
For more information, please email the sponsor.

PSAT & SAT PREP CLUB 
It is a student-led club that specializes in helping students prepare for the SAT/ACT/PSAT.  We meet once a week, go over a certain section of the tests, whether that is Reading, Writing, Math, or Science, and talk about the strategies that will help them to succeed in that section.  The club runs throughout the whole year.
Sponsor: Mr. Ward
For more information, please email the sponsor.

RED CROSS CLUB
Red Cross club provides students with opportunities to make a meaningful impact by addressing their community's greatest needs and developing leadership skills. Red Cross clubs empower students with knowledge and life-saving skills to help prepare schools and communities to respond to emergencies.
Sponsor: Mrs. Gingrich

SEGO CLUB (Self Esteem Growth Organization) 
Do you feel like you're alone? Made fun of by others and not allowed to be your true self? Or maybe you're being left out during conversations and activities? If any of these things is the case for you at school or anywhere else, SEGO might be able to help.  We will have conversations and activities which focus on letting the members be themselves and dealing with their feelings. 
Sponsor: Mrs. Dean
For more information, please email the sponsor.

MUSIC

BANDS

CONCERT BANDS are divided into the Symphonic Band (composed of aspiring musicians) and the Wind Ensemble (composed of exceptional musicians) and meets for one 90 minute block period. All band members are accepted only after auditions. Wind Ensemble Uniforms are furnished, and large instruments may be rented from the school. Instruction focuses on the techniques of playing, and members learn standard and contemporary works of music suitable for concert performance. As many as 20 hours of time outside class may be required for technical rehearsals, concerts, and contests.
Sponsor: Mr. Flodder
For more information, please email the sponsor.

PERCUSSION is a class devoted to the study of concert percussion music. Students are divided into separate Advanced and Intermediate classes by auditions.  Members also work to perform several traditional and contemporary styles of percussion literature for the annual Indiana State School Music Associations’ solo and ensemble contest. Membership is primarily high school percussionists with previous instrumental experience in middle school. However, others are accepted with the permission of the director. As much as 30 hours of outside time may be required for technical rehearsals, concerts, and contests.
Sponsor: Mr. Flodder
For more information, please email the sponsor

JAZZ ENSEMBLE is a class of 18-25 high school musicians who study America’s unique style of music known as “Jazz.” The group performs in local concerts, as well as jazz festivals, competitions, and concerts around the Midwest. The jazz band looks forward to performing each year with a big-name jazz artist at the annual All That Jazz concert at CHS. Other highlights include the Big Band Bash, a two night event for the community with dancing and raffles. The band practices and performs during and after school and on several weekends through the spring. Auditions are held in the spring, or by special appointment with the director.
Sponsor: Mr. Flodder
For more information, please email the sponsor.

TROJAN GUARD or Marching Band concentrates on the performance of competitive field shows and has won State and National Marching Band Championships. The Guard marches competitively in the fall, and performs for football games in the fall. During marching seasons, the units practice three nights a week. Students must be enrolled in a concert band or instrumental ensemble to participate.
Sponsor: Mr. Flodder
For more information, Please email the sponsor

MAROON JAZZ is an extracurricular ensemble that starts meeting in November. An ensemble for Culminating in a performance at ISSMA Jazz Contest, the group occasionally performs with the Jazz Ensemble class at Big Band Bash and All That Jazz. All band instruments are welcome. Students must be enrolled in a concert band or instrumental ensemble to participate. Rehearsals afterschool and during SRT.
Sponsor: Mr. Flodder
For more information, Please email the sponsor

PEP BAND this is made up of band and color guard class students. The pep band plays pep band music to cheer on the CHS basketball teams. Meets solely outside of class time. Membership is through Mr. Arizzi.
Sponsor: Mr. Arizzi
For more information, please email the sponsors.

ORCHESTRAS

ORCHESTRAS are divided into Symphony Strings (advanced players) and Concert Orchestra (intermediate players), and meet for one 90 minute block period all year. This group learns the techniques of playing string instruments and studies the music performed by symphonic orchestras. In addition to class time, the orchestra performs in concert several times during the year and members should anticipate as mush as 30 evening hours spent outside of class in technical rehearsals and concerts. Auditions are required and are held by special arrangement. Instruments may be rented from the high school Music Department.
Sponsor: Mr. Grenier
For more information, please email the sponsor.

JAZZ STRINGS is an extracurricular ensemble that meets weekly from November through March. Orchestra students perform jazz and swing pieces, culminating in participation at ISSMA Jazz Contest. Students must be enrolled in an orchestra class or instrumental ensemble to participate.
Sponsor: Mr. Grenier
For more information, please email the sponsor.

CHOIRS

CAMERATA (Advanced Mixed Choir) is a mixed ensemble for Juniors and Seniors and meets as a class for one 90 minute block period all year. During class time, attention is given to techniques of group singing and to various types of vocal music suitable for ensemble singing. The outside-of-class efforts of this group involve concerts given at school and in the community, including Madrigal Dinners. In addition to the 90 minute block period in class, choir members are expected to devote approximately 30 hours after school during the year for technical rehearsals and concerts. Admission by audition only and permission of the directors.
Sponsor: Ms Morris
For more information, please email the sponsor.

BEL CANTO (Intermediate Treble Choir) is a Women's Choir and meets as a class for one 90 minute block period all year.  Admission by audition only and permission of the directors. 
Sponsor: Ms. Morris
For more information, please email the sponsor.
 

CONCERT CHOIR (Beginning Mixed Choir) is a mixed choir for Freshman and Sophomores only. Four performances per year are given with 2-4 extra rehearsals. One contest is attended in the spring.
Sponsor: Ms. Morris
For more information, please email the sponsor.

DRIFTERS (Advanced Treble Show Choir) Womens' ensemble (9-12). Show choir is a dynamic performance art that combines choral singing with intricate, synchronized choreography. The group performs all types of music, participate in competition, and perform around the community and the Madrigal Dinner. Members may spend as much as 240 hours after school each year in rehearsals and performances. Admission by audition only and permission of the director.
Sponsor: Ms. Morris
For more information, please email the sponsor.

SANDPIPERS (Advanced Mixed Show Choir)  is a mixed ensemble of students who present programs of currently popular vocal music. The activities include sing-outs, competitions, and concerts at high school and community functions. Members may spend as much as 240 hours after school each year in rehearsals and performances including Madrigal Dinners. Acceptance is by audition only and permission of the director.
Sponsor: Ms. Morris
For more information, please email the sponsor.

GUARD

COLOR GUARD is a marching color guard with accompanies the “Trojan Guard” marching band in parades, field competitions, and during football games. It meets as a class during the first semester. The Color Guard is chosen from all grade levels, and the major requirements are natural ability, interest, and attitude. Students additionally rehearse three nights a week during the season.
Sponsor: Mr. Christensen
For more information, please email the sponsor

WINTER GUARD is a class devoted to the development and enhancement of advanced color guard skills through competition. These skills include the use of rifles, sabers, and flags while performing the body skills of traditional and contemporary dance. Consisting of the Gold (Varsity) and Maroon (JV) teams, members are selected by audition. It meets as a class during the second semester. The group competes in Indiana from February to April as part of the Indiana High School Color Guard Circuit and a national level with Winter Guard International. Rehearsals are two nights per week, with competitions on Saturdays.
Sponsor: Mr. Christensen
For more information, please email the sponsor

SOCIETIES  

THEATRE

Theatre provides opportunities for you to express yourself as no other medium can. As an actor, actress, or technical support person, you will create new and interesting people who live in as many settings as the mind can imagine. Your creations will give audiences cause to laugh, cry, and reflect on life.

Theatre productions include comedy, serious drama, music, and a combination of the three. Each production requires many hours after school. The production company works very hard to present performances that are unequaled. The work is fun, frustrating, and fulfilling.

Watch and listen for announcements of tryouts. When they are made, contact the Production Director or the Theatre Director for details of the production.

The COSTUME CREW creates costumes based on the time, setting and mood of the play. Certain productions will be costumed entirely by you while others are rented from theatre houses. Those that you create will require you to know a little about sewing. They will also put your imagination to work as you develop clothing for so many people of different places and times. Costumes that are rented from major costume suppliers will give you an opportunity to see and work with other people’s ideas.

The MAKE-UP CREW transforms the young into the aged. Battle scars adorn players as make-up artists place base, grease and powder on the actors. Each play, every scene, requires some kind of make-up. Make-up adds to what the audience is asked to believe. It is the final “mask” for the actors to use in their performances.

A stage can be completely dark and still be considered to be “lit”. The LIGHTING CREW, as all crews, must be totally aware of the plays’ intent to determine when light and dark are most appropriate. However, lighting is more than just turning on lights. It is a feeling for when to turn them on; where to place them for the best affect; how many to use in a certain scene; what intensity to use and what colors to place on instruments. A performance is polished by the setting and use of lighting.

An empty stage can become a massive castle, a small home, a field or an ocean as the CARPENTERS build sets.You will use wood, Styrofoam, metal, glass, anything that can be put together for form an illusion. Everything that is done by the carpenters is determined by where we want the audience to think the actors are as they play their parts. A set can be as little as a single board painted as a sign to a stage filled from side to side, front to back, with intricate pieces in elaborate detail. Whichever it is, the carpenters lay out the plan and build the set as their contribution to the total production.

USHERS are the vanguard of a performance. You set the atmosphere for our audience. You will let our patrons know that we are pleased to have them as guests for the evening. You are their first impression of the efforts we have taken for their enjoyment.
Sponsor: Mrs. Morris
For more information on any of the above theatre-related opportunities, please email the sponsor.