Student Clubs & Activities
Air Force JROTC
The U.S. Army Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) is one of the largest character development and citizenship programs for youth in the world. The National Defense Act of 1916 established organized JROTC programs at public and private educational institutions. In 1964, Congress expanded the program to all military services and changed from active duty to shared support from the services and schools. As congressionally mandated by Title 10 United States Code, Section 2031, each military service must have a JROTC program to “instill in students in United States secondary educational institutions the values of citizenship, service to the United States, and personal responsibility and a sense of accomplishment.” JROTC’s mission, “To Motivate Young People to be Better Citizens”, is the guide post for the program’s success.
Ambassadors
Ambassadors at WCHS serve as student body representatives at school and community
functions. Ambassador candidates are students who display exemplary behavior, have leadership skills, are on track with their grades, display school spirit in their demeanor, have no school debts, and are well-rounded in their activities. Ambassadors serve throughout their high school years if they remain on track academically and their behavior is acceptable. The faculty advisor is Mrs. Andrea Miller,
Anchor Club
Anchor Club International serves to organize, encourage, and support youth community service projects in Anchor Clubs around the world. We believe that young people want to give back and make our world a better place. Working alongside our parent nonprofit organization Pilot International, Anchor Clubs provides youth the opportunity to give back with organized community service projects. Additionally, Anchor provides youth with leadership training, scholarship opportunities, and résumé builders.
Anchor Clubs give students the opportunity to express themselves through unique, interesting, and impactful community service. Anchor actively encourages our membership to be creative visionaries in how they serve their communities. - Anchor encourages you to make a difference!
Beta Club
Believing that exemplary student effort and achievement should be encouraged and rewarded, and seeking to cultivate the ideals of service and leadership in our citizens of tomorrow, the governing body of the National Honorary Beta Club has instituted this organization for the promotion of these ideals among elementary and secondary school students.
Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA)
Future Business Leaders of America is a student organization that prepares students for careers in business-related fields. The mission is to promote competent, aggressive business leadership. The students participate in region and state conferences along with community service projects.
Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA)
We are a community working to see the world transformed by Jesus Christ through the influence of coaches, students, and athletes. We seek to make disciples through our strategy of engaging, equipping and empowering coaches and athletes to know and grow in Christ and lead others to do the same.
Family Career & Community Leaders of America (FCCLA)
Any student who is a part of or has completed the Early Childhood Education or Culinary pathway may be a member of FCCLA. Our local chapter is also affiliated on the state and national levels. We enjoy community service projects such as hosting good behavior days at the primary school as well as spring celebrations for Kindergarten students at the recreation department. Our favorite event to host is Milk and Cookies with Santa. FCCLA runs Pearls and Lace which is a formal wear shop where students may shop for attire for events on a budget. In order to build on our skills and ideas, members of FCCLA compete in star events and attend conferences with other chapters.
Future Farmers of America (FFA)
The National FFA Organization is the largest student-run organization in the country that changes lives and prepares members for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education. FFA develops members’ potential and helps them discover their talent through hands-on experiences, which give members the tools to achieve real-world success.
HOSA
The mission of HOSA is to enhance the delivery of compassionate, quality health care by providing opportunities for knowledge, skill, and leadership development of health science education students, therefore, helping HOSA members and advisors to meet the needs of the health care community.
Interact
Interact is a service club for 9th -12 th grade youth who want to connect with other young people and have fun while serving their communities and learning about the world. Interact clubs bring people together to develop leadership skills while discovering the power of Service Above Self.
International Thespian Society
The International Thespian Society (ITS) is an honor society for middle and high school theatre students, recognizing excellence in theatrical performance and production. Founded in 1929, ITS promotes student achievement and leadership in theatre arts, offering opportunities such as festivals, scholarships, and national recognition through Thespian points and induction.
Mock Trial
Mock Trial is a competition in which students participate in a simulated trial. The case alternates between a civil and a criminal case every year. The case is entirely fictional, taking place in a fictional county. Teams consist of six to ten members, but only six compete at any given time - 3 attorneys and 3 witnesses. These six people will face six other people from a different school. Teams must prepare both sides of the case (prosecution/plaintiff and defense) for every competition
Mental Health Committee
The WCHS Mental Health Committee was formed in the Fall of 2022. We aim to encourage and support our students, faculty, and staff. Our hopes are that through the committee, we can help break the stigma around mental health and asking for help.
We encourage you to speak up and speak out, we are here to listen. If you or someone you know is in need of immediate mental health support, please call or text 988.
Octagon
To develop optimism as a philosophy of life utilizing the tenets of the Optimist Creed; to promote an active interest in good government and civic affairs; to inspire respect for the law; to promote patriotism and work for international accord and friendship among all people; to aid and encourage the development of youth, in the belief that the giving of one’s self in service to others will advance the well-being of humankind, community life, and the world.
Skills USA
Representing more than 442,000 career and technical education students and teachers, SkillsUSA chapters thrive in middle schools, high schools, and college/postsecondary institutions nationwide. Our mission is accomplished through the SkillsUSA Framework of Personal Skills, Workplace Skills, and Technical Skills Grounded in Academics, which is integrated into the classroom curriculum.
Through the Framework, SkillsUSA students hone their hands-on skills against current industry standards in more than 130 occupational areas, from 3D Animation to Welding and nearly everything in between. At the same time, they develop the transformative career-readiness skills — teamwork, communication, professionalism, leadership and more — that fuel career and life success.
Speech & Debate
The WCHS Speech and Debate Team is committed to helping students develop their critical thinking and speaking skills.
Events include: the Lincoln-Douglas Debate, Impromptu Speaking, Extemporaneous Speaking, Dramatic Interpretation, Humorous Interpretation, and Original Oratory
Student Council
A Student Council is a group of elected students working together with an adult advisor within the framework of a constitution or bylaws to provide a means for student expression and assistance in school affairs and activities, give opportunities for student experience in leadership, and encourage student/faculty/community relations.
Washington County Youth Leadership
Washington County Youth Leadership is sponsored by the Washington County Chamber of Commerce. It supports and encourages the development and understanding of leadership skills within selected students in the 10th and 11th grades. This program runs for six months during the school year and allows participants the opportunity to grow as leaders. The program is open to qualified 10th and 11th-grade students, and through an application process, students are selected to participate.
What's Up WACO?
Broadcast and Video is a course that presents communication, video production/editing, and television broadcasting. The students are taught the proper use of equipment, interviewing, capturing, editing, and stop-motion animation. The students prepare a weekly school television show named, What’s Up, Waco!”, as entertainment for the school.
Yearbook
Students in the yearbook class/club learn the reasons a yearbook is a powerful tool. They understand the many purposes of a yearbook from it being a picture book to a history book. These students learn that a yearbook not only preserves memories, but while creating the book they develop skills that will help them in future careers.