Opportunities for after-hour activities abound

By Laura Johnston ~ Southeast Missourian

Today's high school students have plenty to do after school besides homework.

Nearly half the students at area schools participate in clubs and sports and other organizations, administrators say. Some are even involved in several clubs and play sports.

Some students choose fine arts activities like speech and drama or band while others choose sports like wrestling or basketball.

Whatever their choice, students seem to find enough time to fit in school projects, homework and practices -- though a few have to make some tough choices.

Sallie Hickle, a student at Central High School, had to choose between two of her favorite activities last spring when both cross-country and music contests were held on the same day.

Hickle was an alternate on the cross-country team that competed at the state level. "I thought I had a better chance for all-state choir, so I chose that instead," she said.

Spring can be hectic when she runs between track practices and choir. "It gets pretty stressful," when you add homework and papers, she said. "I have a study hall so most of what I have I finish there. Whatever I do bring home is very minimal unless there's a project."

But the key is choosing the activities you like best, said Hickle, who is also practicing for the Madrigal feast as an octet member and is a member of National Honor Society.

Research shows that students who are active in clubs and after-school events also do well academically, said Mark Ruark, assistant principal at Central.

"They tend to be more well-rounded people and tend to be the success stories in life," he said.

Extra-curricular activities are important to the climate of the school, Ruark said. "I couldn't imagine it without it," he said. "It would be a sad place to be."

Schools with large numbers of students involved in clubs, organizations and sports are usually safer, happy places, Ruark said.

Rick McClard, principal at Jackson High School said the school tries to encourage its students to get involved in a club or activity. "What we do is to try to find areas that students are interested in and want to participate in," he said.

Students can learn more about the clubs during orientation and enrollment.

Clubs help the students make connections with each other and their teachers outside of the classroom, and also with the community, McClard said.

"The clubs have grown in popularity and are very active," he said. "And almost all will do service work."

Student clubs raise money or collect for community efforts like the FISH food pantry and Toybox. Student clubs usually sponsor a blood drive at area high schools also.

But a few students wanted to limit their participation in after-school events.

"It's just hard to do clubs and have time for homework," said Missy Simmons, a freshman. She tried out for cheerleading but knew that if she made the squad, she'd scramble to get homework finished.

Sarah Layman said she joined the German club at Central because it sounded fun and meetings aren't mandatory. At Monday's meeting, students sang Christmas carols. The group meets only once each month.

ljohnston@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 126