CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS AT SOUTHWOOD
We encourage our students to take an
active role in student life at Southwood High School by joining one or more of
our social and service organizations that make up a major part of of the "High
School Experience" and will produce memories for years to come, while allowing
our students to "give back" to our community and school.
Organizations that are in place at Southwood include:
Academic Rally
Each year students, based upon
their academic achievements, are nominated by teachers to participate in the
Academic Rally. From this exceptional group of students, teams of three
are selected to attend the Northwest Louisiana Academic Rally at Northwestern
State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana. Students are tested and
receive an individual score. Students with the highest scores may be
chosen to compete at the State Academic Rally at LSU in Baton Rouge.
Membership Requirements: Students must receive a teacher nomination based
upon their final grade in the course to be finalized by the Rally
Committee to form a team of three with one alternate. Students cannot be
enrolled in the next level class. The committee also considers the
student's discipline reports.
Art Club
The purpose of art club is to
make artwork for themselves, Southwood, and whoever the art may benefit. There
are no requirements except you must have love for the “visual arts,” the passion
to be creative, and
the desire to communicate art and
its benefit to Southwood. They take trips to local museums on weekends. Their
projects begin creatively in their minds at Southwood.
Band ( Marching )
The Southwood Marching band
provides support for the sport organizations. The marching band demonstrates
school pride and encourages the crowds to show their pride. Membership
requirements: Students who wish to be in the marching band must have
written authorization from the band director and must enroll in the marching
band class. Students must attend after school rehearsals, attend football
games and compete in festivals.
Band ( Flags and Majorettes )
The Southwood Flags and
Majorettes promote school spirit and add color to the halftime performances.
Students must audition for these positions and must have a 2.5 grade point
average. Students must attend after school rehearsals, football games,
competitions, and accompany the band to all their performances. Students
must enroll in the Color Guard class.
Beta Club
The Southwood BETA CLUB is an
honor society, service club that encourages leadership and character as well as
service. Students are selected by maintaining an overall grade point
average of 3.25, keeping a good record of conduct in the office and by teacher
recommendation. Students are required to attend all meetings, which are
held on the first Tuesday of each month. Students must successfully
complete 10 service points per year to maintain membership.
Black Studies Association (BSA)
The Black Studies Association was
organized at Southwood in 1990 for students to develop a better understanding of
black culture and heritage, to open the way for a better student body through
racial harmony and to promote school spirit. This organization engages in
fundraising activities for the Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation and the United
Negro College Fund. It also coordinates the annual Dr. Martin Luther King
Junior birthday observance and all Black History Month activities. The
organization is open to ALL Southwood students who have a good disciplinary
record and at least a 2.0 grade point average.
Chapparelles
The Chapparelles is a PEP SQUAD SPIRIT
GROUP, open to students who have a 2.0 grade point average and remain eligible
under school board policy. Members must be able to bear all personal
expenses, such as uniforms, practice outfits and camp expenses. Members
must have no record of suspension for major disciplinary reasons during the
current school year and must be enrolled in the designated Chapparreles class.
The Chapparelles
promote school spirit among the students for Football and Basketball at Southwood. The girls learn cheers and dances that they perform for pre-game and
halftime shows. The girls must attend summer camp and purchase the Chapparrelle
uniform.
Cheerleaders work to promote school
spirit. Students have to try out to be on the squad. They must have a 2.0
overall GPA, recommendations of teachers, and good attendance record. They are
judged on their ability by professional NCA or UCA instructors.
Cheerleaders meet in class together for the first semester and after school as
needed. Their fees are the cheer camp which they must pay for and their
uniforms. There is a cost to be involved with the Cheerleaders, but some of this
is offset by fundraisers. Cheerleaders work with area nursing homes and
with area cheerleading squads.
Choir
Choir advances the art of choral
singing. We participate in all LMEA (LA Music Educators Assoc.) events. We sing
several concerts during the year. The only requirement to be in Choir is
to have a love for singing. They meet every day in 2nd and 3 rd block.
There is a fee to be in Choir.
Close up Club
This organization is engaged in
fundraising activities designed to offset the expenses of a week-long government
seminar in Washington, DC in which students get a "CLOSE UP" view of the
political, social, cultural, economic and historical aspects of our nation's
capital city. Students engage in workshops, seminars, and sightseeing
excursions as they interact with other students from throughout the country.
This club is open to sophomores, juniors and seniors who have at least a 2.0
grade point average and a good discipline record.
Cowboys For Christ (CFC)
This organization is comprised of
students from all religious backgrounds that come together for fellowship,
encouragement, and spiritual growth through worship and various speakers.
There is a $5.00 fee for the school year to be a member.
Drama Club
The Drama Club presents two major
productions during the school year, which provides the opportunity for students
to work behind stage in costumes, lights, sound, makeup and props. Drama
Club members may also audition for acting parts. The club supports acting
and forensic debate competitions throughout the state of Louisiana. We are
"Touching Lives through Theatre". Students must have at least a 2.0 GPA
and a good discipline record. Must be willing to participate in at least
one forensic competition in Shreveport and there is a $ 10.00 fee.
Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA)
The Fellowship of Christian
Athletes is a student driven organization that has been in existence for more
than 50 years and our central focus is to positively impact the lives of athletes and coaches, and all whom they
influence. Our huddle meets twice per month and is focused on involvement
within the school and community. FCA participates in many activities,
receptions, sports events, banquets, and any Christian focused activities.
Students do not have to be involved in organized athletics to be a member
however they must be in good standing with the school and represent the school,
community and organization with a high standard of citizenship and
responsibility. Fee is $5.00
Football Program Staff
The Football Program Staff sells
programs at the home football games. They must sell $300 worth of ads before
school is out and sell during the summer.
French Club
French Club is an organization that
allows students to explore French culture. Typical activities include a
soccer game with Spanish Club, cooking classes, movie days, National French
Week, reading books at the South Highlands Elementary school, a final banquet
and more.... Purchase of the Club T-Shirt is optional. Membership
requirements are that students must be a past or current French student at SHS
and maintain a minimum of 15 activity points per 9 weeks or 30 per semester and
pay $ 5.00 dues each semester.
Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA)
F.B.L.A./Future Business Leaders of
America – Phi Beta Lambda, Inc. (FBLA-PBL) is the oldest and largest national
organization for students preparing for careers in business leadership students
compete in a variety of business events for district, state and national
recognition. Mr. Childers is the Sponsor. Students must show up for meetings,
participate in fund raisers, and must have current on post enrollment in
business classes. They meet two times a month and the dates vary. The fee
is $25
Junior Ring Committee
The Junior Ring Committee is
responsible for the distribution of class rings at the end of their junior year.
You must purchase a class ring and be a junior to be in the club.
Members vary each year. Members meet twice in the fall and twice in the
spring to discuss the arrangements of the ceremony. There is no required fee;
just a class ring purchase. The Junior Ring Committee works with Graduate
Sales in setting up, class ring distribution, and sales.
JROTC Academic/Color Guard/Orientation/Rifle Team
The purpose of the Academic Team
is to intensify the studying of the JROTC curriculum fir all four years and then
compete against other schools with this knowledge. Practice is scheduled
on Wednesday mornings from 7:30 A.M. until 8:15 A.M. Additional practices will
be scheduled for final preparations for competition. No fees are required.
No community projects at this time. The Academic Team participates in
Caddo Parish competitions with a state competition in the making.
Lariat Ad/Editorial Staff
The purpose of this club is to highlight
current events of the students, community, and nation. This is the school
newspaper crew and they work together to gather information and put it all
together. To be in this activity you must have a GPA of 2.5 and must be
able to meet AD quota’s. There are no initial fees but there is a requirement
for them to meet an ad quota over the summer and one after school starts.
Mu Alpha Theta
MAT ia a national high school
mathematics honor society that promotes math skills. You must obtain a 3.0
overall GPA and a 3.0 in mathematics class. MAT meets once a month before
the AMC test every week. The required fee is $20 to pay expenses for your
t-shirt and certificates. MAT help tutor other students who need math assistance
free of charge.
National Honor Society (NHS)
National Honor Society's goal is to
create an organization that would recognize and encourage academic achievement
while developing the ideals of scholarship, character, service, and leadership.
In order to join this club you must have a 3.6 cumulative GPA they must be in 2
other clubs/organizations and must have teacher recommendations. They meet the
second Tuesday of each month. Yearly dues are five dollars. Each officer
is responsible for an altruistic project during the months of October, November,
December, January, and February
Nutritional Advisory Counsel (NAC)
NAC is responsible for crating Christmas
baskets and other community service projects. The club has been active for 12
years. You must be willing to help others. NAC meets once a week on Wednesdays
at 7:55 A.M. The required fee is $10
Orchestra
The Orchestra Club consists of students who are enrolled in Orchestra at Southwood. These students go the extra mile by giving total support from themselves as well as their parents and our mandatory activities. Students give their time to support other school related activities such as open house, 8th grade presentations, Yazzy Jazz participation, fundraisers, and recruiting. The Orchestra club supports other clubs. To be a member of the Orchestra Club you need to know how to play a stringed instrument, follow rules and directions well, have a positive attitude, good and acceptable social skills, participate in all activities, maintain good practice, be reliable and pay a fee of $25.00 per year.
Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA)
The PTSA is a group of Parents,
Teachers and Students who have joined with the National PTA to provide support
to the School. They meet every month during the school year to plan
projects for school improvement. Learn more about the PTSA by visiting
their website.
Round up Staff
Round up Editorial creates the
yearbook and put together the ads in the back of the yearbook too. You
must have a 2.5 GPA, complete application and interview, teacher
recommendations, and meet ad sales quota.
Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD)
SADD promotes students making safe
decisions. It’s goal is to educate and raise awareness about issues like drugs,
alcohol, seatbelt safety, eating disorders and pretty much any other unsafe
activity. SADD has been apart of Southwood for many years but has been
inactive for the past two years. This year the club hopes to be a strong
influence in the Southwood community. The only requirement to be in SADD is the
desire to help your peers make safe decisions.
Silver Spurs
The purpose of the Silver Spurs
is to support our athletic teams (Football and Basketball) and entertain at all
the football games and all home Basketball games. They train hard to prepare the
graduates to be able to dance in college. They also perform at special school
events and competitions. Silver Spurs have been around since 1972-73
school year. In order to be in Silver Spurs, a girl must have been a member of
the Chapparelles, Cheerleaders, and Flag line/Twirlers for a year and finish in
good standing to tryout for the team. They must have a 2.0 cumulative GPA to be
eligible to try out. They must attend a try-out clinic and learn a dance which
they try out with in front of outside judges. (Professional dancers, members of
collegiate teams from out of town). We take the top scores at try
outs and make the cut at the natural break. They begin practicing after
school daily after tryouts are over, practice all of June and attend camp during
that month. They begin again the first two weeks of August before school begins.
They have a class daily throughout the school year and they practice every day
until 5:00 p.m. throughout football season and they practice after school as
needed the rest of the year. All members must pay for their own uniforms
(practice performance-football & competition) and summer camp Miss
Boyd is the Sponsor.
Spanish Club
Spanish Club promotes fun and fellowship as well as a greater understanding of the Hispanic culture. We often make banners for athletic events, go out to eat in Mexican restaurants, and serve our community by making favors and visiting at an area nursing home. Our long range project is the making of several pinatas each year for hanging in the sponsors classrooms as reminders of all the effort and fun we put into them. We welcome any SHS student who is enrolled in Spanish either term of the current school year and is a member in good standing from the previous year or has taken Spanish II or a higher level. Exchange Students from any country are always welcome. Dues must be paid when joining. Activity points are required each quarter.
Student Council
Student Council aims to develop civic competence among youth by providing a means for youth to solve problems of interest through citizenship education. Students are taught to use the democratic process to solve immediate problems and use this information to work out solutions to adult problems by the same means in their religious, social and civic organizations. Membership is by Election from the student body. All candidates for Student Council must have three (3) teachers approve their running as well as administration approval. Candidates must have a 2.5 grade point average, no suspensions for the current or previous school year, and be in good standing with at least one club or organization. Candidates are required to make a speech no longer than 3 minutes and must be approved by the Student Council advisor. Each candidate is required to create two posters to be hung in the Student Center during election week.
Yearbook Staff
The Year book Staff is explained
under ROUND UP.
Z-Club
Z-Club is a service organization that
works to build a better community. The amount of time Z-Club has
been around is unknown. They believe since Southwood began. Those who want
to be in Z-Club must have a 3.0 overall GPA, the recommendations of their
teachers and be able to serve twenty volunteer hours per semester. They have
meetings twice a month in room D-109 Dues are $20 this included a t-shirt.
Z-Club volunteers for:
1. The Salvation Army – Contribute needed supplies
2. Goodwill - We work at the Christmas Toys for Tots campaign.
3. Shreveport Rescue Mission – We provide bedding for the homeless
4. Elementary School Carnivals
5. Sickle Cell Foundation – We work with BSA to contribute money.
6. Providence House
7. The Lighthouse – We donate books and help with Christmas programs
8. Shreveport Green – This year were planting daffodils for veterans’ park.
9. Susan Komen Breast Cancer Research – We participate in the Denim Day program,
race-for-the Cure, and the Survivor Luncheon.
10. Red River Revel – Volunteer at booths.
11. YWCA – Work to donate supplies.