Academic Challenge Quiz Team
Mrs. Tammy Stokoe / Mr. Nicholas Patriarco
The Quiz Team allows some of Homer’s academically motivated students
to test their knowledge against their peers while working as a team. Teams
of students from surrounding school districts compete against one another
answering questions in all content areas including math, science, literature,
arts, current and world events. Winners of each local competition earn the
right to compete at regional and possibly state and national competitions.
The Academic Challenge Quiz Team is comprised of 5 to 6 students from
the junior or senior class. Although not directly involved in the competition,
several freshmen and sophomores are invited to attend and experience the
atmosphere to prepare them for future competitions. Selection is based on
several criteria including motivation, class rank, and previous participation.
Short, after-school practices may be held several weeks prior to the competition
to introduce new participants to rules and strategies.
Members may be asked to tutor students in the elementary and intermediate
grades.
FFA
Ms. Kathleen Pratt and Mr. David Merry - Advisors
The FFA (formerly Future Farmers of America) is the national organizations
of, by, and for students enrolled in agri-science or agricultural education.
The FFA is intra-curricular and originated as a part of the high school
agriculture education curriculum. Members should be enrolled in a science and/or agriculture
class, but may also participate if they have an interest in anything in
the broad area of the agricultural and/or environmental sciences. FFA activities encourage members
to learn leadership and life skills through active participation. Experiences include conducting and taking part in public
meetings, problem solving, entrepreneurship opportunities, competitions, travel and community service.
Members experience leadership opportunities to improve their personal
abilities and career experiences in the agri-science industry and their local communities.
International Club
Mrs. Tammy Zimmerman- Advisor
The purpose of the International Club is to provide activities of an
international nature for the foreign language students of Homer High School.
This club represents all foreign language students and supports some of
the expenses incurred within foreign language classes, as well as student
travel, international dinners, language competitions, language entertainment,
special projects, possible support of a foreign child, and special activities
with
Homer’s exchange students.
The information on being club officers is discussed within the foreign
language classes. The officers meet regularly at an agreed upon time.
Music Organizations
Senior Choir
Mrs. Cara K-B McLaughlin - Director
Senior Choir is available to all interested students. It is not an extracurricular activity; it carries Regents credit and meets during the school day. Students also in band will meet every other day and will receive one arts credit between the two ensembles. Members are required to participate in the evening concerts in December and the spring which are scheduled on the district calendar as well as one or more competitions during the year. Participation in this ensemble qualifies students for participation in Ruby Rhythms and Blue Notes.
Freshman Choir
Mrs. Cara K-B McLaughlin- Director
Freshman Choir is available to all freshman not enrolled in band. It is not an extracurricular activity; it carries Regents credit and meets during the school day. This is a smaller ensemble than Senior Choir and is intended to help students transition from Junior High level music to High School level music. Members are required to
participate in the evening concerts in December and the spring which are scheduled on the district calendar as well as one or more competitions during the year. Participation in this ensemble qualifies students for participation in Ruby Rhythms and Blue Notes.
Blue Notes
Mrs. Cara K-B McLaughlin- Director
Blue Notes is an extracurricular jazz vocal ensemble comprised of a select group of choir members who are chosen through auditions in the fall. The group performs at concerts, competitions, and various school functions throughout the year. Students must be a current member of a curricular choir (senior or freshman) as well as maintain good academic standing to be eligible for this group.
Ruby Rhythms
Mrs. Cara K-B McLaughlin- Director
Ruby Rhythms is an extracurricular women's choir comprised of a select group of choir members who are chosen through auditions in the fall. The group performs at concerts, competitions, and various school functions throughout the year. Students must be a current member of a curricular choir (senior or freshman) as well as maintain good academic standing to be eligible for this group.
Trojan Marching Band
Mr. David DiGennaro- Director
This grade 7-12 extracurricular group performs at home football games, and spring parades. The ensemble performs many types of entertaining music at the football games and is a perennial favorite at the local parades. Opportunities exist for woodwinds, brass, percussion, electric bass, and color guard. In return for the extra rehearsal time required, extra rewards (such as yearly awards, banquets and picnics, trips) are planned. Weekly lessons are required for all musician members.
Concert Band
Mr. David DiGennaro - Director
This group meets during period 1 every day, and performs public concerts, recruitment concerts, and judged performances throughout the year. Exchange programs with other schools are sometimes arranged.
The organization’s repertoire explores many different styles of music - "serious" music, show tunes, concert marches, pop selections, ethnic music, jazz, etc. The band has a tradition of performing challenging music (levels 4, 5, and 6) to high standards (A+, A, etc.).
Weekly lessons are required. Members of band may be selected for the All-County, Area All-State, or (the highest honor) the All-State Band.
When enrollment permits, a second, more select "Wind Ensemble" is formed through auditions.
Lessons
All concert and jazz band instrumentalists will be given one lesson per week. Beginners are always welcome, with the intent of joining the band in the future. To schedule lessons, students miss a different class each week (a particular course will be missed once per five or six weeks). Students may participate in annual solo and small-ensemble festivals; awards and scores are given for these festivals.
Winter Guard
Mr. Richard Spalding - Director
This extracurricular group participates in competitive winter color-guard circuits. The ensemble performs to many types of entertaining music and annually employs top choreographers and instructors to work with its sections. In return for extra rehearsal time required, extra rewards (such as banquets, award ceremonies, and trips)
are planned. Membership is open to all.
Jazz Band
Mr. David Shiffman - Director
This is a voluntary instrumental group available to all interested students. They examine and perform all types of jazz, swing, and rock music. The Jazz Band participates in exchange programs, school assemblies and concerts, as well as recruiting concerts. Through this group, an opportunity is provided for the interested students to perform, in a serious way, this facet of the American Musical Scene. The Jazz Band usually meets on Monday evenings. Membership in Concert Band is required.
National Honor Society
Mrs. Cathy Heath / Mrs. Kathy Ballard- Advisors
The purpose of National Honor Society is to create enthusiasm for scholarship, to stimulate a desire to render service, to promote leadership, and to develop character in the students of secondary schools. For many students, selection as a member of the National Honor Society (NHS) is the pinnacle of their achievements in school. This honor, recognized throughout the nation, is both the public recognition of accomplishment and the private commitment to continued excellence on the part of the new member.
Selection Procedure:
National guidelines require that membership be based on 1) scholarship, 2) leadership, 3) character and 4) service.
Prospective members need to see the Society advisor for a detailed guideline of the criteria under each of the four headings.
Students' academic records are reviewed to determine scholastic eligibility. The Guidance Office provides the faculty advisor with a list of all students that have a cumulative unweighted average of 90 or above and have attended the school the equivalent of at least one semester (if a transfer student).
Students who are eligible scholastically are notified by the faculty advisor and are encouraged to complete a Student Activity Information Form for consideration for selection to the NHS chapter by the Faculty Council. The
information form is not an application for membership and review of information gathered does not guarantee selection. The form exists to support the student's candidacyby providing relevant information for use by the
Faculty Council. Students must complete the form and return it to the advisor by the deadline date.
The Student Activity Information Form will be reviewed by the Faculty Council, along with any other verifiable information about each candidate and his or her activities which define the candidate's leadership, service and
character. The Faculty Council consists of five voting faculty members who are appointed by the principal.
Candidates receiving a majority vote of the Faculty Council will be invited for induction into the chapter. The principal votes only in case of a tie. The advisor does not vote.
Students who are selected are notified of their selection and given information regarding the upcoming induction ceremony and the obligations of membership in NHS. The formal induction ceremony will be held in the spring.
Prior to the induction ceremony, the faculty advisor will verify the acceptance of all selected members in order to plan effectively for the ceremony.
Selection for membership is based on outstanding scholarship, character, leadership, and service. Once selected, members have the responsibility to continue to demonstrate these qualities. The Faculty Council decides on appropriate disciplinary measures should a member fall below the standards by which the member was selected. Disciplinary measures will be consistent with both local school policy and NHS national guidelines. Flagrant violation of school rules or civil laws will result in a dismissal hearing. A student who is dismissed or who resigns
is never again eligible for membership in NHS.
With induction, a member assumes certain obligations. The chapter must conduct a service project for the school or community, and see to the development of an individual service project for each member. The chapter may choose to sponsor fundraising projects or involve itself with the school to reach the chapter's goals established to encourage scholarship, promote leadership and service, and build character. In addition, regular meetings of the chapter will be held to conduct chapter business and communicate with members.
All active NHS chapter members are expected to support these and other chapter activities.
Odyssey Yearbook
Mrs. Nancy McLaughlin / Mrs. Becky Steedle - Advisors
The Odyssey staff is composed of all interested students. Students apply in the spring for the type of work they wish to do on the staff. The entire staff is composed of several smaller staffs, each with a specific job. The copy staff writes the material which goes into the yearbook. The production staff does the actual layout and planning of what the book will look like and where the copy and pictures will be placed. The ad staff is responsible for financing the book. There are also typing, sports, photography, and business staffs, which have respective jobs. Freshmen entering in the fall should see the advisor if they wish to participate in the yearbook staff.
The Olympian
Mr. John Steedle - Advisor
The Olympian is the student run newspaper first published on October 3, 1930, as the Homer Academy News. The newspaper staff is headed by a student editor-in-chief who coordinates the overall production of the newspaper and distributes story assignments as well as photography assignments. Any student interested in contributing on a continuing basis or even on an occasional basis is welcome to join our staff.
Beginning with the 78th anniversary edition of the Olympian on September 30, 2008, the newspaper became an all-digital publication. In the first full year of creating a digital newspaper, the Olympian staff will save more than 100,000 pages from being needlessly printed and soon after, discarded. The conservation of resources is a valuable example of how organizations, large and small, can reinvent their modes of operation to be more sustainable
and responsible.
Students with an interest in writing. Photography, graphic design are encouraged to join the
Olympian staff. Meetings are held on a monthly basis in room 41 of the high school.
Shakespearean Society
Ms. Louise Felker-Holl - Advisor
Membership in the Shakespearean Society is an honorary position which recognizes the work done by an individual on theater productions during the school year. Any student may participate in the plays in any form (sets, props, acting, etc.), and membership is voted on by the present members. At the end of the year, a banquet is held at which
drama awards are held at which drama awards are given.
SADD
Mr. Michael Massenzio - Advisor
SADD stands for "Students Against Destructive Decisions". This group plans a number of activities each year, the most noteworthy of which is the preprom safety activities in May.
Student Government
Mr. Eric Hatch - Advisor
The purpose of the Student Government is to enable students to voice their opinions, discuss and possibly make decisions concerning school problems, new ideas and any school related matters. Student Government acts as a liaison
between the student, administration, faculty, staff and other students. This organization helps to plan student activities and participates in orientation, open house, spirit week, sponsors dances, and also does humanitarian efforts.
Student Government is open to all interested students. Officers are elected at the end of each school year by students in ninth, tenth, and eleventh grades.
