CLUB & ACTIVITIY
DESCRIPTIONS
2005-2006
ACTSO
The
objective of ACTSO (African American Cultural Technological Scientific Olympics)
is to prepare, recognize and reward African-American youth who exemplify
scholastic and artistic excellence. The goals are to recognize academic
achievements among these students in a manner commensurate with the recognition
afforded sports and entertainment to build self-esteem; to provide and assist
students with the necessary skills and tools to establish goals; to acquire
confidence and training; to make a successful contribution to society, and to
mobilize parents and the adult community for the promotion of these goals.
In short, ACTSO was designed to stimulate, promote and encourage high academic
and artistic achievements. Local/national competitions and the awards are
incentives but are secondary to the overall mission of encouraging and rewarding
academic excellence.
A Place for All
A Place for All
is OPRF's gay-straight alliance (GSA), a chapter of the Gay, Lesbian, Straight
educational Network (GLSEN)." A Place for All focuses on the social and
political issues facing gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, questioning, etc.,
people around the world. Our purpose is to provide a safe environment and
a place of discussion for those who have been troubled by prejudice involving
sexual orientation issues and to work towards making the school and the
community at large accepting of sexually diverse people. The club welcomes
all students.
Art Club
The Art Club works to enrich
and to enhance the art instruction provided at the high school and to provide
students with additional opportunities to express themselves through the visual
arts.
ASPIRA
OPRFHS ASPIRA is a school
affiliate of a national organization devoted to the education and leadership
development of Latino students. ASPIRA takes its name from the Spanish
verb aspirar, “to aspire.” Meetings and activities focus on helping
students become educated, committed leaders for the community’s future
benefit.
Astronomy Club
The club meets to discuss the
celestial bodies and their magnitudes, motions and
constitution.
Best Buddies
The mission of Best
Buddies is to enhance the lives of people with intellectual disabilities by
providing opportunities for one-to-one friendships. OPRF has a very active high
school chapter of the international organization providing organized field trip,
parties and events that allow friendships to flourish. The chapter has fun
in and out of school.
Biology Club
The purpose of the
Biology Club is to expose students to new topics and labs. Biology club
members will explore beyond what is covered in Biology class. Activities
include experiments, dissections, guest speakers, and
excursions. The goal of this club is to allow students to do
hands-on activities and ask questions without the added pressure of grades or
time limits.
B.O.S.S. (Black Organization for
Student Success)
The goal of B.O.S.S. is to assist students in the
realization of their scholarship potential by providing a support system of
peers, faculty, and parents to motivate and maintain their enrollment and
successful achievement in regular, honor, and Advanced Placement classes.
Through a variety of activities (cultural and social) -- and by providing
ongoing positive peer reinforcement for academic achievement, excellence, and
school participation -- students are able to maximize their full
potential.
B.P.A. (Business Professionals of
America)
The purpose of Business Professionals of America is to
prepare students for the business workforce through the advancement of
leadership, citizenship, academic, and technological skills. By
integrating its programs into the business classroom, BPA instills leadership,
professionalism, poise, dependability, patriotism, and competency in business
students.
Involvement as an active BPA member will be one of the
most rewarding aspects of any business education program. Through this
involvement, lasting relationships will be developed with community business
circles, and members will be given exposure to potential new employers.
Opportunities for having fun, visiting exciting places, experiencing new
activities, and growing personally and professionally are what BPA is all
about.
Chess Team
The Chess Team at Oak Park and
River Forest High School exists to provide students with an opportunity to play
chess at either a friendly or competitive interscholastic level. Chess is
an I.H.S.A. activity, and OPRFHS competes in the West Suburban Silver
Conference, the West Suburban District, and the I.H.S.A. State Team meets.
However, players of all ability and interest levels are welcome at
practice. Most club members are serious and competitive but several
participate in practices only at a friendly level. There are no
qualifications for membership but to compete, players must make an eight-person
team by winning challenge matches under competitive conditions.
Costumes
The purpose of this activity is to design,
construct, and/or otherwise locate costumes that suit the particular demands of
the play or musical being presented. Students involved gain exposure to a
wide variety of historical periods and clothing styles. Sewing skills are
helpful, but not required.
Crest
Crest, the school
literary magazine, is a compilation of student writing and artwork that best
meets the credo, "those things that are best." Crest comes out once a year
in late spring. Editors meet during a specified time during both
semesters. As the publication date nears, it is necessary for the editors
to donate larger amounts of time. They meet in order to determine what
pieces should be included in the magazine and what design the magazine should
have. There are currently no formal qualifications required for becoming
an editor. It is recommended, however, that prospective editors have some
knowledge of literature and artwork, be able to work closely with other people
for the whole year, and be able to make firm, quick decisions, as only a very
small portion of the work submitted is chosen for
publication.
Cum Laude
Cum Laude is the national
honor society recognizing the top 5% of the junior class and the top 15% of the
senior class. Members are inducted after their 5th and 7th semesters,
respectively. Cum Laude participates in Adopt-A-Family and other charitable
activities throughout the year.
Design
Club
The Design Club is for students who have an interest in any
field of design. Its purpose is to provide experiences that will expand
members' creativity and knowledge of design. Activities include field
trips to design firms, guest speakers, hard-hat tours, contests and model
making. CADD (Computer Aided Drafting and Design) instruction and others
based on student interests.
Drill Team
Drill Team is
a spirit dance organization that consists of Varsity and Junior Varsity
teams. Drill performs at many sporting events including football, boys’
and girls’ basketball, girls’ volleyball, boys’ soccer, and girls’ field
hockey. Drill practices five days a week on average for two hours a
day. Routines consist of jazz, hip-hop, high kick, and pom movement.
It is strongly encouraged that students have had or are currently taking dance
classes—prior to tryouts. The team also is visible at various other
events: Two Spirit Assemblies, Sports Awards, Homecoming Parade, Booster
Auction, etc. During the winter season, Drill participates in UDA
(Universal Dance Association,) a competition circuit. Competing in high
kick and pom routines to qualify for the state competition in February.
Drill also attends summer camp through an organization called Fred J.
Miller.
Amnesty International
Amnesty International
is a branch of a non-political international human rights organization.
The club has a number of purposes including:
• To encourage knowledge and discussion of human rights situations
around the world;
• To write Urgent Actions (Amnesty International sends
letters alerting members to specific situations of human rights abuse around the
world, which members use to write protest letters to the leaders of the
countries in question.);
• To organize school-wide activities for a
variety of purposes--National Day of Student Action, the anniversary of the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights;
• To organize teach-ins,
individual speakers, movie showing, and petition drives to encourage student
awareness of these issues.
Environmental
Action/Amnesty
Environmental Action gives students an opportunity to
be active in creating a dialogue about cleaning up the environment and managing
the earth’s precious resources. The students meet each Thursday to discuss
methods of cleaning up the environment. Student involvement is not limited
to discussion but also includes action. This year, the students began a
campaign to assist classroom teacher in recycling. In addition, the
students have adopted Montrose Beach in the city and go twice a year to clean it
up.
FCCLA (Family Career and Community Leaders of
America)
The local chapters of FCCLA at Oak Park & River Forest
High School are part of the national youth organization, Future Homemakers of
America-Home Economics Related Occupations. FCCLA is open to all students
enrolled in classes in the Family and Consumer Sciences Department (formerly
called Home Economics.) Classes most involved include Foods and Nutrition,
Child Development, Fashion Merchandising and Exploring Home Economics. The
emphasis of all FCCLA chapters is to help develop leadership skills in personal,
family and community life. Participation, leadership opportunities, and
skill event competitions are encouraged at the local, section, region, state and
national levels. All students enrolled in current or past Applied Arts
Division classes are welcome to join. Membership dues are paid through a
fashion show fundraiser held in May.
Film Club
Film
Club offers an opportunity for students to meet and share their interest in
film. Areas of interest include writing, filming, editing, music and
sound. A few students are interested in writing reviews. All are
interested in viewing and discussing films that are screened weekly. All
students are invited to attend throughout the school
year.
Freedom Readers Book Club
Freedom Readers was
founded to encourage students to read for pleasure. Club members select
their own reading list and decide upon when and where they will meet. Students
often meet at coffee houses like "Borders" outside of school to discuss the
material in the book and topics that were related to their life experiences.
Freshman Class Council
Freshman Class Council is a
student leadership group, focusing on issues of interest to freshman students,
developing leadership skills, community service projects, fund-raising for Prom
and other fun activities. Every year the council works on different
projects depending on student interest. All freshmen students are
welcome.
Gospel Choir
The Gospel Choir is a
multicultural choir ensemble of the high school. The choir, an
extra-curricular activity for all students who enjoy singing, features a variety
of choral music including contemporary, traditional, spirituals, and hymnal
gospel songs. The choir has been organized since 1979 and is one of the
most highly supported activities in the high school.
Human
Relations – NCCJ
The Human Relations-Student Committee was formed to
enhance awareness and respect for cultural diversity. Members have worked
on projects such as the Mural of Cultural Diversity in the South Café
hallway.
Huskie Athletic Council/Monogram Club
The
Huskie Athletic Council has joined with the former Monogram Club to be open to
all varsity athletes. Any person who has lettered in a sport is encouraged
and welcome to join. The Huskie Athletic Council has the job of promoting
spirit in athletics and running community service projects for athletes and
teams. The council also keeps the wall of fame up to date by constantly
changing and adding pictures. Every athlete is encouraged to join in and
help the school and community.
International Club
The
International Club functions as a meeting place between OPRF students and
exchange students. The club has the purpose of helping students form
friendships and learn about other cultures. American students attempt to
explain their own culture while students from other countries explain
theirs. Activities include trips to various locations in the Chicago area
where members can visit or attend international restaurants, films, music
festivals, folk dances, etc. Students also simply get together to talk and
share fun times together such as going to movies, bowling or
skating.
International Thespian Society (I.T.S.)
The
I.T.S. is an international honor society for students in speech and theater
arts. The purpose of this troupe shall be for the advancement of standards
in excellence in the theater. Tryouts, auditions, or invitations
required for membership.
Intramurals
In
addition to interscholastic sports, OPRF offers intramurals and open gym.
Students may participate in a variety of activities before and after
school.
Italian Club
The Italian Club provides an
opportunity for students interested in Italian language and culture to come
together for the purpose of broadening their knowledge and understanding of
those things Italian. The club is open to all Oak Park and River Forest
High School students, including students not currently studying Italian.
Periodically, students will attend field trips to see Italian opera, theater, or
other Italian cultural events in the Chicago area, including visits to pertinent
exhibits or performances at the Italian Cultural
Institute.
Japanese Club
The purpose of the Japanese
Club is to foster an awareness of Japanese culture and society through the
expression of arts, crafts, and languages. Students participate in the
following activities throughout the year: advanced origami, ink and brush
calligraphy/sumie, edo-yattsu (8 strand braiding), and seasonal projects such as
creating traditional fish kites to celebrate Boys’ Day. Additionally,
special activities encourage social communication using the Japanese language,
such as dining on traditional food and playing ancient games.
The
Japanese Club provides students with an opportunity to learn crafts that are not
included in the Japanese language curriculum. These crafts require
individual attention to complete. Students complete one project a
week.
Jazz Band (Jazz Band Deux & Jazz Band
II)
Currently, we have two co-curricular jazz bands that are open to
music students. There are no auditions and the groups meet once a week and
give concerts throughout the year. In addition, they attend the New Trier
Jazz Festival in February.
Junior Class
Council
The purpose of Junior Class Council is to organize, raise
money, and otherwise prepare for the Junior/Senior Prom, and to assist with any
activities within the school that call for Junior Class
participation.
Latin Club
The Latin Club is open to
any student interested in learning about the ancient world and/or ancient
languages. Students explore different aspects of ancient Rome and Greece,
the eastern Mediterranean, Africa, and other regions and cultures. To this
end, students are involved in projects or activities of their choosing.
Projects and activities have included, but are not limited to, board games in
the Latin language, a Roman banquet, field trips, movies, discussions, Roman
clothing, t-shirt design, participation in the Illinois National Junior
Classical league, and reconstruction of ancient devices.
Make-Up
(Theatrical) Committee
The Make-Up Committee does make-up for each
of the productions in the Little Theatre, Auditorium, and Studio 200. The
students assist the make-up designer with inventory of make up, with purchasing
of supplies, set up of make up the days of performance, doing make up for the
performances, and clean up. No previous experience is necessary to join
this committee.
Marching Band
Marching Band is a
co-curricular extension of the OPRFHS music program. It is an all
volunteer organization open to students enrolled in our performing arts
classes. Color guard members are open to any student in school. The
marching band performs at home football games, three to four parades a year, and
three IHSA competitions. The band usually tours every other year.
Previous trips have included the Magic Kingdom Parade in Orlando, Florida; the
Martin L. King Jr. Parade in Honolulu, Hawaii, and the Peach Bowl Festival/Game
in Atlanta, Georgia.
Math Teams – senior, junior,
sophomore, freshman
The Math Team is open to all students who are
interested in competing in mathematics contests throughout the school
year. These contests, include meets held here at home and at other
schools; team and individual contests and local, state, and national
contests. The purpose of the team is to use the practice sessions and
contests to teach problem solving skills, with the emphasis on sharing and
discussing strategies and problems with other students. To become a member
of the team, a student needs a good ability in math, an interest in working on
math problems beyond the scope of his/her math course, and a willingness to
attend the practice sessions and meets. Any student in an honors or
advanced level math class is encouraged to join.
Mock Trial
Team
The objective of the Mock Trial Team is to enhance student
awareness of the legal system, as well as to compete in the state
tournament. By being exposed to the trial practice, students are able to
hone verbal, writing, and thinking skills. For a four-month period,
students meet each afternoon to discuss the case's theory, as well as to develop
methods to elicit testimony in support of their
case.
Orchesis
Orchesis is an in-school dance company
composed of advanced dance students, freshmen through seniors. Orchesis
presents two dance concerts during the school year that provide a large variety
of dance styles. The dance company participates in different activities
and festivals outside of school, and is sometimes available to perform within
the community. Fall tryouts are required.
Outdoor Adventure/Explorer Club
The Outdoor
Adventure/Explorer Club was started as an activity to promote an appreciation of
nature and the out doors. The goal of the club is to increase students’
awareness of the importance of preserving our natural resources.
Membership is open to all students who enjoy adventure and the challenges that
go along with the outdoors. The club is co-educational and encourages a
healthy understanding and working relationship between men and
women.
Peer Mediators
Students in conflict with each
other meet with a neutral third party (mediator) to develop a mutually agreeable
resolution. Mediations take place in Room 308 on a daily basis, as
needed.
Peer Mentors
Students serve as
ambassadors for transfer students and provide one-on-one tutoring for
freshmen. This program is open to upperclassmen (junior/senior)
students.
Photography Club
Students with an interest
in photography meet to share their work and ideas in an informal manner.
Activities include critiques, experimentation with photographic techniques,
gallery shows and lectures, career investigation through visitation of studios,
and the organization of work for shows and portfolio presentations. All
students are invited to attend throughout the school year. No experience
in photography is necessary.
Plays/Musicals
The four
shows held in the Little Theatre (two each in the fall and spring) provide
intensive exposure to the audition/rehearsal/production process for all students
interested in quality theater. Participating in plays after school helps
translate the drama curriculum to the stage. The Winter Musical adds
dance, singing, and live music to the performance experience. Auditions
for the Little Theatre plays and the musical are open to all, regardless of
experience. Students interested in technical design or show operations (rigging,
running crew, lighting, construction, and sound) should see Stage Crew,
below. Tryouts, auditions or invitations
required.
Props
The purpose of this activity
is to construct, paint/refinish, and otherwise locate and create the set
decoration and prop demands of the play or musical being presented.
Students involved gain exposure to a wide variety of historical periods and
specific types of furniture and objects popular at those
times.
SADD -Students Against Destructive Decisions
Students Against Destructive Decisions is a school-based organization
dedicated to addressing the issues of underage drinking, impaired driving, drug
use, and other destructive decisions harmful to young people. SADD’s
mission is to provide students with the best prevention and intervention tools
possible to deal with the serious issues young adults are facing today.
Scholastic Bowl
Scholastic Bowl competition
developed by Illinois schools provides a showcase for the academically talented
student. It also provides an educational opportunity that is valuable to
students taking college entrance exams. It provides motivation to learn
and excel without the pressure of grades. It is an excellent entry for
student’s transcripts and records.
Science Fiction and Fantasy
Club
The Science Fiction and Fantasy Club of Oak Park and River
Forest High School is dedicated to the enjoyment and creation of all materials
related to science fiction, fantasy, and science fantasy. The club has
organized a yearly Sci-Fi/Fantasy convention, called OPCON, since
1989.|
Senior Class Council
The Senior Class Council
is the leadership organization for the Senior Class. The Council sponsors
two blood drives, hosts the Senior Class Breakfast, and awards a Senior Class
Gift to the school and community each year. Additional activities of the
Council include fundraisers to provide for the class
gift.
Service Club
The purpose of the Service Club is
to provide assistance to groups in Oak Park and River Forest that need
assistance. These would include such things as the Lions Club for candy
days, school tutoring at various Oak Park schools, and being race marshals for
the Race For A Cure. There are no qualifications for membership, and
members may do as little as one activity or volunteer throughout the
year.
Snowball
Snowball is a three-day retreat
weekend, held at the beginning of March, facilitated by student leaders from
OPRF, Fenwick, and Trinity. Student leaders undergo an intense, six-month
training process to learn skills to lead weekend sessions at the retreat.
The purpose of the Snowball weekend is to provide a safe environment for student
participants to enhance leadership skills, provide and receive peer support,
promote positive decision making, and cultivate personal growth. Topics
addressed during the weekend are issues that impact students on a personal,
school, and societal level. Activities for the weekend also include a
bonfire and barn dance. All students who attend OPRF, Fenwick, and Trinity
are eligible to participate. Applications are available in
Room 308.
Sophomore Class Council
The
Council provides leadership opportunities for sophomores, encourages
extra-curricular participation in the school community, raises funds to defray
student costs for next year’s junior prom, promotes informal, positive
interaction among students, serves the community through volunteerism, and sets
specific goals and activities determined annually by the current
class.
Spanish Club
The Spanish Club is open to any
student who has an interest in the language and culture of the Spanish-speaking
word. The club offers an opportunity for members to expand their knowledge
of the language, history, culture, and people of Spanish-speaking
countries. Students learn more about these countries through discussions,
videos, and projects and may take trips to Hispanic restaurants, films, and
museums.
Speech Team
Speech Team is an
extra-curricular activity where students prepare materials for competitions
against other speakers in any of 14 different events, including public speaking,
interpretations, short story, verse, radio, acting, and original writing
events. Team members learn the fundamentals of oral communication and
prepare, practice, and compete in various events. The team attends
tournaments throughout the year. Tryouts, auditions, or
invitations required.
Speech Team - Individual Events /
Forensics
Speech Team provides students with opportunities in public
speaking (including debate at NFL tournament), acting, and oral interpretation.
Students learn the fundamentals of oral communication and prepare, practice, and
compete in any of 15 events, including public speaking, interpretation, short
story, verse, radio, acting, original writing, and debate.
Students attend weekly tournaments throughout the year. Students also
participate in the National Forensics League, an honor society for students in
Speech, Public Speaking, and Debate. Students attend one
weekly meeting and two half-hour coaching sessions per week plus all day
competition on Saturdays.
Tryouts, auditions or invitations
required.
Spoken Word Club
This club is a
venue for students who enjoy writing and performing their own poetry.
Meeting time is spent on a variety of activities, ranging from open mikes to
collaborative writing to guest poet readings to writing and performance
workshops. The Club holds performances three times a year when students'
share their original work. Student writings from these performances are compiled
to form “chapbooks” commemorating the events. The Club also sponsors a
team to compete in the Chicagoland Teen Poetry Slam each
Spring.
Stage Crew
If you are interested in the magic
of the theater, then Stage Crew is for you. Stage crew builds the sets,
designs the lighting and sound, and executes this technical magic for the four
Little Theatre productions and the Winter Musical sponsored by the Fine Arts
Division. Students gain additional production experience by
designing lights and sound for the Orchesis dance shows and a host of other
concerts, productions, and events held in the Auditorium and Little
Theatre. Membership is open to all students.
Student
Council
At Oak Park and River Forest High School, projects are the
lifeblood of Student Council. Through projects and/or activities, Student
Council carries out the wishes of the student body on matters that affect
them. We interpret to the student body the Student Council’s role.
Student Council develops projects that deal with issues of importance to
students. Projects include student parking, on-campus lunch,
adopt-a-block, Homecoming activities, etc. These projects translate talk
into action by the Student Council.
Students for Peace and
Justice
Students for Peace and Justice is a political organization
with the purpose of increasing the awareness of issues of student rights and
human rights issues relevant to the students and community of Oak Park &
River Forest High School. Past issues have included organizing AIDS
Awareness Week, sweatshop labor, and insuring the student body has a voice in
the school.
Studio 200
Studio 200 is an
extra-curricular drama program developed to give acting, directing, and design
opportunities to students. The purpose of this activity is to give
students opportunities in all aspects of theater through design and
performance. There are generally five productions per season.
Auditions are open to all students at OPRFHS, with no experience
necessary. Students interested in technical aspects of theater also work
in Studio 200. Designers in lighting, set, props, make-up, costumes and
publicity are also needed for each production. Tryouts,
auditions, or invitations required.
Table Tennis
Club
The Table Tennis Club provides students with an opportunity to
play table tennis with opponents at their same ability and intensity
level. There is one informal tournament each year, and the club is seeking
interscholastic competition. All students are
welcome.
Tabula
The goal of this course is to produce
a yearbook that accurately depicts the entire year and lives of all students and
captures the unique aspect of OPRFHS and the events that occur during the school
year. Tabula staff members must be able to meet deadlines, produce quality
work, work cooperatively with others, receive constructive criticism, and learn
to give constructive criticism to others. Tryouts, auditions or
invitations required.
Tau Gamma
Tau Gamma is
a service organization, devoted to promoting an awareness of community and
individual needs and to addressing these needs through service and
fundraising. Tau Gamma has become associated with several local and
national philanthropic groups and works closely with them in an effort to affect
the lives of others.
Technology Club
The mission of
the Web Technology Club is to help students who are interested in web
development gain experience with new technologies. The meetings provide
opportunities for collaboration in the development of web
projects.
Trapeze
The student newspaper reports on
issues and events that are interesting and important to the school
community. The newspaper covers school activities and sports, and includes
feature stories, opinion columns, photographs, illustrations, and
student-solicited advertisements. Tryouts, auditions, or invitations
required.
Youth Conference
Youth Conference
is an activity that promotes open discussion of questions of significance to
teens. Students from OPRF, Trinity and Fenwick participate. The
conference involves a full-day program where the students gather to discuss
important issues with expert guests from the Chicago land
area.
Vocal Ensembles
Students
enrolled in a regularly scheduled music performance class are eligible to
audition for extra-curricular ensembles. Small vocal ensembles currently
include “Singers,” “Reveille,” “Madrigals,” “Take Five,” “No Strings Attached,”
and “Six Chicks.” These groups rehearse twice each week. They
perform at the regular choral concerts and at outside events.
