Clubs and Activities
This page is designed to introduce the student to the variety of student activities that are offered at Rochester Community High School. Each activity is designed in the hope that it will meet the interests and needs of the students. Any student who has an interest in an area no presently offered at Rochester Community High School is encouraged to contact the administration. In the event that enough interest on the part of the students exist, it may be possible to form a new club.Students are encouraged to participate in school activities but, at the same time, we caution students to examine their personal schedule as time limitations may exist. Plan ahead so that potential overloads can be avoided and the greatest benefits realized.
Any club or group who wishes to schedule a meeting or a school event must first obtain the permission of the school administration. A sign-up calendar will be posted in the main office by the P.A. system. By checking this weekly calendar, club sponsors will be aware of other scheduled activity period meetings. No club may be scheduled to meet more than two Wednesdays a month without special permission form the principal or head teacher. Students are reminded that unless proper supervision is included in the proposal, permission will not be granted. If the event is well planned, every effort will be made to approve your request.
Art Club
The art club is open to any student who is currently enrolled in art or who has formerly been an art student at RHS. The club’s purpose is to promote visual art interest in the school and community, and to provide extra-curricular and hobby related experiences for students. The club occasionally does community service projects and raises funds to purchase supplemental equipment and materials for the art department.
Band
The band meets daily for both symphonic and marching rehearsals. The band plays for athletic events, parades, concerts, and special events in the school, community and state. There is a rental charge of $20 per year on school-owned instruments and $20.00 per year on band uniforms. Each student receives two credits per year while in band. There are, also, awards for senior band members who have given four years of service, and awards are presented to outstanding ban members each year.
Bowling
Bowling has a junior varsity and varsity team and is open to both boys and girls. Tryouts are held in September, and the season runs through the middle of March. Contact Country Lanes for more information. 574-223-5990
Cheerleaders & Lifters
Varsity, Junior Varsity, and Freshman cheerleaders are chosen in the spring of the year by a committee. This committee, under the leadership of the cheerleader sponsor, will conduct tryouts and make selections.
Class Officers – See Student Council
The Student Council officers, as well as the class officers, are elected the preceding year in the spring with the exception of the freshmen who are elected in the fall.
Fall Sports - Listen to Annoucements for Call-Out Meetings
- Cross Country: Any student interested in athletics, who is not enrolled in the football or tennis program should consider participation in this sport. Practice may begin in early August.
- Football: Practice begins in early August. Any high school boy may try out for the team whether or not he has previously participated.
- Girls Golf: Greatest proficiency in this sport. Practices usually begin in August.
- Boys & Girls Soccer: Soccer provides athletes with a positive environment with strong leadership in which to learn the values of teamwork, self-discipline, and sportsmanship.
- Boys Tennis: Participation is open to any student displaying an interest. Competition limits the squad to those with the best potential. Practice begins in early August.
- Girls Volleyball: Open to all girls in grades 9-12. Practice begins in early August, and the season will end with a state tournament in October. All girls are encouraged to attend the call-out meetings.
The Rochester Fellowship if Christian Athletes is a group of young men and women who have both athletic and Christian interests. A variety of activities are offered to help meet the social, spiritual, and personal needs of the student. Activities include Christmas cards for local nursing homes, distributing Christmas baskets, tailgate party, Fields of Faith, Night of Champions, and a spring banquet to highlight the year. The huddles meet twice a month for business meetings.
F.C.C.L.A. – Family Career and Community Leaders of America
Any student who has had a family and consumer science class in middle school or high school, or who is presently taking a family and consumer science class is invited to join F.C.C.L.A. School and community service projects and fund raising activities are carried out to help members improve personal, family, and community life. Chapter members attend local, district, and state meetings.
F.F.A. – Future Farmers of America
The purpose of the Future Farmers of America is to develop agricultural leadership, cooperation, and citizenship. Any boy or girl enrolled in vocational agriculture is eligible to membership in this organization.
FIRST Robotics
“The varsity Sport for the mind,” FIRST Robotics Competition combines the excitement of sport with the rigors of science and technology. Under strict rules, limited resources, and time limits, teams of 25 students or more are challenged to raise funds, design a team “brand”, home teamwork skills, and build and program robots to perform prescribes tasks against a field of competitors. It’s as close to “real-world engineering” as a student can get. Volunteer professional mentors lend their time and talents to guide each team. Students get to learn from professional engineers, build and compete with a robot of their own design, learn and use sophisticated software and hardware, compete and cooperate in alliances and tournaments, earn a place in the World Championship, and qualify for over $16 million in college scholarships.
Key Club
Key Club is a service organization for high school students in grades 9-12 and is sponsored by the local Kiwanis Club. Key Club holds regular meetings, social functions, and conducts service projects to improve the school and community. Activities are designed to develop initiative, leadership, and good citizenship. Officers are elected in the spring and dues are collected.
National Honor Society
The National Honors Society was established to honor students of high academic ability who have shown qualities of leadership, service, and sound character. Junior and senior students who have been students at RHS for at least one semester and have a “B” average (including transfer grades) are eligible to be considered for membership. After a student has indicated his interest by filling out a form showing his involvement in school, church, and community activities, he will be considered. Selection is based on scholarship, service, character, and leadership.
School Yearbook (MANITOU RIPPLES)
Each year the school publishes a yearbook known as the “Manitou Ripples”. Students from grades 10-12 may participate.
Spanish Club
Students who are enrolled in Spanish class or who have previously taken Spanish are eligible to join the Spanish Club. Club activities, such as dining at a Mexican restaurant and observing Hispanic holidays, are planned to provide a better understanding of Hispanic culture.
Spring Sports
- Boys Golf: The golf team is composed of those students who show the greatest proficiency in this sport. Practice usually begins in March.
- Track: Track practice for boys and girls begins soon after the basketball season ends. Participation in track is open to all high school students. The number competing in meets will be limited to those displaying the highest ability, desire, and performance.
- Girls Tennis: Tennis participation is open to all high school girls. A state tournament series concludes the season which runs from March to May. Tennis season runs the same time as the girls track season. Practices usually begin in March.
- Baseball: The baseball team is composed of those students with greatest proficiency in this sport. Practice usually begins in March.
- Girls Softball: The softball team is composed of those with the greatest proficiency in this sport. Practice usually beings in March.
The Student Council was organized to provide a greater opportunity for student cooperation and participation in worthwhile school activities, to promote better understanding between students and faculty, to develop a spirit of cooperation and friendship among students, and to serve the best interest of the high school in every way. The Student Council officers are elected the preceding year in the Spring. All classes except freshmen choose their representatives in the spring. There is no GPA requirement to join or hold an officer position.
Tri-Epsilon
Tri-Epsilon, which stands for Excellence in Entertainment and Education, is the RHS Drama Club. EEE is dedicated to expanding the student’s theatrical experience through workshops, field trips, and productions. Tri-Epsilon presents four productions a year: a fall play, Christmas program, spring play (or musical with Vocal Music) and the Variety Show. Students learn not only acting skills, but also self-confidence and poise. They also learn to work with others, to budget their time, and to take criticism. Any student can audition for a Tri-Ep production, but only Tri-Ep members can take part in field trips and workshops.
Vocal Music
The vocal music department consists of three choral classes. Any freshman may enroll in Freshman Choir. The choir presents three or four performances per year. Performing attire is provided by the school, except for black shoes for women, and black pants and shoes for men. Any student in grades 10-12 may enroll in Concert Choir. This choir presents a fall concert, holiday concert, and spring concert. Students in the Concert Choir will also participate in the Choral Festival and are strongly encouraged to participate in solo and ensemble contest. One to three additional extracurricular performances amy be scheduled each year. Admission in the Manitous is by audition only and is primarily limited to juniors and seniors. Sophomores who demonstrate outstanding music ability are admitted on a limited basis. This choral class involves a great deal of extracurricular activities. Besides performing in the three seasonal concerts, Choral Festival, and solo and ensemble contest, the choir performs approximately three to five times per month for various clubs and organizations in the area. All Manitous must purchase their own outfits each year. The cost will range from $25-$75 per year. There is a basic fee of $10.00 for all vocal music students to help defray the costs of materials used in the choirs. Each student receives two credits per year in each choir. Senior awards are presented at the end of each school year as well as several awards for outstanding achievement and/or ability in vocal music.
Winter Sports
- Boys Basketball: Basketball practice usually begins in October. The season ends with the State Tournament finals in March. Students who wish to participate in basketball are encouraged to enroll in a fall sport.
- Swimming: Swimming practice will begin in October with the first meet in November. The season will be through the sectional in February.
- Girls Basketball: Basketball practice usually begins in October or immediately following the conclusion of the volleyball season. Basketball season will run from November to February. All high school girls who are interested are encouraged to enroll. A state tournament series will highlight the season.
- Wrestling: Wrestling is offered to all boys of all athletic abilities, grades 9-12. Practice starts in late October and ends in the middle of February. All boys interested are encouraged to attend all “call-out” meetings, to participate in a fall sport, or to participate in preseason weight lifting.
