Everywhere throughout the school, one can see signs advertising activities, sports, school sponsored events and even just plain old group meetings. In the last year, though, more people have been joining the activities those signs promote.
Last year, the activities office did its first study of the percentage of students that were involved in the activities offered at the school. They found that 70 percent of students are involved in at least one activity, and this year.
“Our numbers last year were the highest ever for students enrolled in at least one activity or sport,” said Activities Director Jeff Fink.
In the last year a few activities have gotten a large amount of new members, knowledge bowl and speech are two of those. In fact, Social Studies teacher Timothy McLean, was hired as a second Knowledge Bowl coach because of the record setting numbers that they had last year.
There is a possible reason that more students are joining, though. Last spring, Speech coach Mark Thul, and Debate coach Steven Fetzik, visited the middle school in an attempt to promote their activities there. This could be credited with some of the involvement the school has been seeing in recent times with incoming freshmen and sophomores.
Freshmen and sophomores are the driving force behind the growth in student involvement numbers, but freshmen are especially important to involvement growth.
“We’ve encouraged, the freshmen to get involved in at least one thing,” said Fink. “At least a club, choir, band or drama etc. I think it completes their experience in highschool if they are involved.”
There are plenty of benefits to being involved. It’s more than just going to a meeting or a game. Being involved provides a sense of identity, belonging and community.
“I think whether it’s debate, Knowledge Bowl or any other activity,” said Speech and Debate coach Steven Fetzik, “the more students get involved, the greater impact it has on school pride.”
A stunning fact about increasing student involvement is that during the auditions for this year’s fall play, 80 students auditioned for only 14 parts. Drama Director Glenn Morehouse-Olson ended up casting 24 parts for the play adding some as understudies.
Still with only 70 percent of the student population involved with an activity. This leaves 30 percent just coming to school, going to class and then going home. So the SFHS Media Staff challenges the students to go out into the school, and join an activity.
“They have many choices to get involved with,” said Fink. “Students can even make their own clubs, but we just want them to be involved in something.”