GHS Activities & Clubs | Ball-Chatham CUSD5

Activities & Clubs

Educational

The Ball-Chatham School District’s mission is to engage and equip all students to achieve their unique potential through broad and diverse learning experiences. Our teachers differentiate instruction to meet the needs of each student in their classrooms. And while the school offers 17 different honors classes, nine dual credit courses, and 15 Advanced Placement classes, as well as a full range of electives, it also strives to provide students with a variety of academic enrichment opportunities.

Performing/Visual Arts

Instrumental Music - In addition to the instrumental music classes offered at GHS, band members take part in marching competitions as well as perform at home football games and in local parades. Concert performances are held at least twice a year and there is an annual Jazz Band Dance in April. Students may also audition for the Jazz Band, and the Color Guard. There are multiple options for band students to play outside of the classroom including, but not limited to: Combo band in the Titan Fever Show Choir; playing in the pit orchestra for stage performances; playing in the pep band at home basketball games, and competing in the IHSA, and IEMA solo and ensemble contests. Parents of band students are encouraged to join the Band Booster organization, which promotes band activities in the community and offers financial support to the band.

Vocal Music - Glenwood High School offers two non-audition choral classes and two audition-only classes. Students may also be interested in auditioning for the vocal jazz group, and to be a part of the school's fall musical. Numerous concerts and performances are scheduled throughout the year for the full chorus, jazz choral group, and the nationally recognized Titan Fever Show Choir. Choral students have the opportunity to compete at the State level as well through the IHSA and IEMA.

Performing Arts - Each year, GHS students have the chance to audition for a lead, or supporting role in the fall play, and spring musical. For those who would rather not be in the limelight but still want to be a part, students can join the stage crew or the pit band.

Visual Arts - Glenwood High School's art students are regularly recognized for their talent through the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, the nation’s longest-running and most prestigious recognition program for creative teens in grades 7–12. Annually, many of our students receive the Gold and Silver Key awards through this program, and for the past two years, GHS students have received national recognition.

Glenwood Art Club strives to support and encourage the creation of visual art in all its shapes and form, appreciate and respect the expression of every club member’s unique ideas and skills, and create a safehaven for all who wish to create art and express themselves. GHS Art Club is student-run, and officers and club members have a voice in the activities of the club.

Glenwood High School National Art Honor Society meets in conjunction with the GHS Art Club. The purpose of the GHS NAHS chapter shall be to:

A. Inspire and recognize those students who have shown outstanding ability in art;
B. Foster excellence and a dedicated spirit to the pursuit of art;
C. Further creative abilities and talents of the Society’s members, as well as the school’s entire
student art enrollment;
D. Aid members in working toward the attainment of their highest potential in an art area;
E. Bring art to the attention of the school and community;
F. Increase awareness of art in relation to other areas of the school curriculum; and
G. Further aesthetic awareness in all aspects of the school’s total program.

Students will be inducted at the end of the school year after meeting all requirements, including gaining art service hours and maintaining minimum GPA's for both overall grades as well as in their art classes.

Athletics

During the 2019-20 school year, our high school competed in approximately 653 contests. Of these contests, roughly 241 were home contests. In 2019-20, we hosted four IHSA post-season events.

Glenwood High School offers 23 varsity sports. Forty-three separate levels ranging from freshmen to varsity make up the high school athletic program. These figures include Cheerleading and Dance one time even though both have fall and winter seasons. Cheer, Dance, and Bass Fishing are considered Activities by the IHSA. In addition, we’re in our second year of offering eSports, which is currently an emerging activity within the IHSA. Our official IHSA enrollment for 2019-20 was 1392; 30-day enrollment – 1402.

492 athletes participated in at least one sport this past school year. This count includes the 17 students whose only participation was eSports.

Highlights

5 varsity sports won CS8 championships
1 st place in the CS8 All-Activity Award competition
4 Regional Championships
1 Playoff semifinal appearance
1 Sectional Championship
Multiple Team & Individual State Qualifiers

Student Leadership

Glenwood High School students are provided with a number of leadership opportunities. A few of these opportunities include Student Council, Key Club, National Honor Society, and many more. Student leadership activities provide students with this opportunity and the responsibility to actively engage and motivate all students to get involved.

Special Interests

Students at Glenwood High School come from many different backgrounds, all of which contribute to the richness of Glenwood's educational experience. GHS offers a wide range of club opportunities to meet the interests of every student.