Activities
Shari VanHaselen
Activities Director
720.747.3712
svanhaselen@cherrycreekschools.org
Debbie Helfrich
Activities Office Secretary 720.747.3872
dhelfrich@cherrycreekschools.org
Guest Passes for Dances
These are available in the Activities Office prior to the event.
Activities Fee
The Activities Fee for students is $30 and helps to support Overland activities and programs along with assistance from the OPTCO. A Student ID that is stamped with "ACTIVITY" will provide the following discounts:
- Homecoming
- Winterfest
- Prom
- Talent Show
- Away Games
- FREE entrance to Home Games
Permission Forms for Field Trips
Clubs
Anime Club
Sponsor: Carolyn Porter
Meetings: Wednesdays from 3:00-4:30pm in 243D
In anime club, we watch anime, discuss club business, play games, and do anything else related to anime. We also learn Japanese words, sample Japanese foods, and explore other Japanese traditions. We provide a social outlet where students can chat after school and relax in a fun environment while getting involved at OHS.
Black Women's Leadership (Grades 11/12)
Sponsors: Tasha Houck
Meetings: Times vary - group meets during the school day
Big Sisters is a designed as a place for African American (but not limited to) girls to serve as mentors for their incoming underclassman. The Big Sisters are guided in exploring the ideas of advocacy, leadership and teambuilding so they become entrusted with the responsibility of "adopting" a willing "Lil' Sister" and helping them transition successfully into high school and becoming young ladies. Each Big Sister works on developing self-esteem, leadership skills, academic goal setting, recognizing and eliminating stereotypes, and helping work with each other, the community and the school to close the achievement gap . Through intense discussions, games and a multitude of activities the Big Sisters set out to not only individually mentor their Lil' Sister, they also develop meaningful workshops guided at predominant and current high school issues and provide the forum for their younger classmates to make OHS a place for them.
Brotherhood
Sponsor: Robert Kelly, Jr.
Meetings: starts 2nd semester
Please see Mr. Kelly in the Main Office for more information.
BSA (Black Student Alliance)
Sponsor: Jay Bennish
Meetings: Tuesdays from 3:00-3:30pm in 112A
Are you interested in changing stereotypes and building community? Come see what BSA is all about. Please see Mr. Bennish in Office 1001A for more information.
Chess Club
Sponsor: Christine McLelland
Meetings: Thursdays 2:50-3:50pm in 225B
All levels welcome. Drop in once, or play every week.
DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America)
Sponsor: Robert Ocaña
Meetings: (students must enroll in the course)
DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America) is an association of marketing students that encourages the development of business and leadership skills through academic conferences and competitions. Each competition includes a written test over business and marketing information, as well as three role-playing, problem solving events. Students are judged on the basis of their ability to develop and communicate sound, creative, and thorough solutions to the problem situations.
DECA chapters operate in 5,000 high schools across the U.S., Puerto Rico, Guam and Canada. With over 172,000 members (mostly juniors and seniors), DECA's high school division is recognized and endorsed by all 50 state departments of education and the U.S. Department of Education.
Membership in the high school division is restricted to students with a career interest in hospitality, finance, sales and service, business administration and/or entrepreneurship. DECA programs are co-curricular, meaning programs are based on nationally recognized standards in one or more of the curriculum areas.
Diversity Club/GSA
Sponsor: Stacey Szenderski
Meetings: Thursdays after school in 125B
The Overland High School Diversity Club/Gay Straight
Alliance will provide support, social interaction, and advocacy training
to its members in order to promote awareness and acceptance of
diversity within the high school community. This mission will increase
school safety, which will in turn increase academic success.
Drama Club
Sponsor: Eric Eidson
Meetings: 3-6pm in Room 152E
Drama Club members work on the many theatrical productions mounted at Overland each year. Students may participate in the realms of publicity, staging, lighting, sound, stage management, directing, playwriting, acting, set design, program, set construction, props, makeup, costumes, and pit orchestra. The main activity of the club is the production of plays, other comedic presentations, and technical support/production for other events taking place in the OHS Auditorium. There is a yearly retreat for all Drama Club members and Thespians.
See also: International Thespian Society
Dream High (Asian Dance)
Sponsor: Yingxin Liu
Meetings: Tuesdays from 3-4pm in IST 114
Dream High is a new club focused on Asian pop culture dancing. We welcome all thos who enjoy performing to come. We will be learning many different dances throughout the year (including a Chinese traditional dance). Wear comfortable clothing. First meeting is September 4, 2012.
Environment Club
Sponsor: Gil Trevino and Laura Miller
Meetings: TBD
Environmental Club encourages community involvement and environmental awareness through the practice of recycling. The members of the club empty paper recycling receptacles located in classrooms and meet to discuss other ways in which they can make a difference. Students encourage and promote environmental conservation in and around the school.
FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America)
Sponsor: Patti Ord
Meetings: meeting schedule posted on bulletin boards
FBLA is a local, state, and national organization. Students perform service and participate in social activities. They can also attend leadership conferences around the state, region, and country. Club members contend in competitive events centered on business subject matter. Students with an interest in business get the opportunity to network with other students and business leaders; and developing communication, organization, and leadership skills. Scholarship opportunities are also available for seniors.
FCCLA (Family, Community, and Career Leaders of America)
Sponsor: Deb LaCour
Meetings: 1st and 3rd Mondays after school in the Foods Room (253)
FCCLA is a local, state, and national organization. Students can participate in community service projects and social activities. They may also attend leadership conferences around the district, state, and country. Club members may enter competitive events centered around families, communities and career choices. FCCLA provides students with an interest in FACS careers the opportunity to network with other students and business leaders. Students also develop communication, organization, and leadership skills. Scholarships are available.
French Club
Sponsor: Megan Craven
Meetings: Thursdays after school in 234C
French Club is comprised of students who are interested in participating in French-related activities beyond the classroom. Some of the activities students enjoy are playing games, making crepes, celebrating French Christmas and Mardi Gras, and watching French films. Membership is not limited to students currently in a French class at Overland.
Glee Club
Sponsors: Katie Yvars and Chelsea Grandchamp
Meetings: Thursdays after school in 210A
Do you like to sing? Come check out this new Overland club.
Guitar Club
Sponsor: Steve Helfant
Meetings: Thursdays after school in Room 133C
Beginner to expert, acoustic or electric--all are welcome! No guitar? No experience? No problem!
Hip Hop Club
Sponsors: Kacee Ertzbischoff
Meetings: Wednesdays at 3:00pm in Room 241D
The Hip Hop Club strives to provide students an opportunity to express themselves through the four essential elements of hip hop: DJ'ing, break dancing, MC'ing (rhyming/rapping), and "graffiti style" art. We will also spend time learning the history of hip hop, in order to provide a strong foundation for how it started, where it is today, and how we could help to shape its future.
Hip hop often receives negative publicity in the media and is often misunderstood by the general public. Despite the fact that negativity does exist in the world of hip-hop, this club will focus on promoting hip hop's positive themes, such as social change, artistic expression and a sense of identity, that have been present since its inception. Our club will work to break down stereotypes about what hip-hop is and find ways to inform those willing to listen about what it should be.
HOSA (Health Sciences)
Sponsor: Nancy Kreger
Meetings: This group meets during the Health Science classes
This group is for students interested in Health Sciences.
Intercultural Club (formerly Arabic Club)
Sponsor: Zehra Mooney
Meetings: Thursdays from 2:45-3:45pm in 231C
Come check out this Overland club that focuses on the study of the Arabic language and the culture of all its members.
International Thespian Society
Sponsor: Eric Eidson
Meetings: 3rd Tuesdays in Room 152E
Overland High School's Thespian Troupe (troupe # 2762) is a group of elite drama/theatre students - those who have fulfilled the requirements for becoming a Thespian: 100 hours of work in two different aspects of the theatre (including, but not limited to, acting, directing, publicity, lights, sound, stage management, set construction, pit orchestra, costumes, props, makeup, and playwriting). Every two years, the Thespians travel to New York City to sight-see and attend theatrical productions on and off Broadway.
See also: Drama Club
Link Crew
Sponsors: Jill Bould, Jodi Sanchez, Abby Cate
Meetings: Times vary
Link Crew is comprised of a select group of rising junior and senior students, nominated by members of Overland's staff, to serve as an orientation welcome and mentoring committee for incoming freshmen students. Members of Link Crew attend training sessions in the spring and again at the end of the summer to learn skills to positively impact the newest class of students coming to Overland. Throughout the year, members of Link Crew engage in leadership seminars and continue to mentor and assist their freshmen students in freshmen seminar classes, receiving a grade and a .25 credit.
Literary Magazine
Sponsor: Laura Sudik
Meetings: TBD
This year we will publish our sixth issue of our literary magazine. The magazine is designed to be an avenue of expression for students from Overland: what excites and angers them, what they really talk about, and what issues they face on a day-to-day basis. We accept poetry, short stories (max. 2 pages), essays, photography, paintings, or sketches.
Math Honor Society (Mu Alpha Theta)
Sponsor: Laura Morales
Meetings: first Mondays from 2:50-3:40pm in 213A
Mu Alpha Theta is the National High School and
Two-Year College Mathematics Honor Society
Overland's Purpose:
- To stimulate an interest in mathematics
- To provide public recognition for superior mathematical achievement
- To provide mathematical activities and competitions
- To provide math tutors for struggling students
Membership requirements:
- Maintain a overall GPA of at least 3.0
- Maintain a mathematical GPA of at least 3.0
- Completed Algebra 1, Geometry and Algebra 2
- Continuing your mathematical education by taking math course beyond Algebra 2
- Tutoring at least 4 hours per semester in the after school tutorials or during your free period.
- Attend the monthly chapter meetings (1st Monday of every month at 2:55pm in 213A).
- Abide by the chapter by-laws
NHS (National Honor Society)
Sponsors: Lara Kendrick and Tina Longcor
Meetings: 1st and 3rd Thursdays from 3:00-3:30pm in the ULC, Officer meetings the Tuesday before Thursday mtgs in the library
NHS is a nationally affiliated honor society open to students with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.50. There is an emphasis on community service, and the club requires members to complete at least ten hours of community service each semester of the school year. Each year, NHS helps to coordinate the national Read Across America Campaign for the North Area of the Cherry Creek School District. Other events and fundraisers have included: student/faculty "Fear Factor" and "Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?," OHS edition. Prospective members receive notification of their eligibility and an application each semester, and new members are inducted each year.
During the 2011-2012 school year, NHS was involved in the following:
- Sign spinners at the Craft Fair
- Handing out candy at the Fall Festival
- Volunteering to judge at the TJR Cup Stacking Competition
- Serving food for teachers at Parent-Teacher Conferences
- Tutoring in the ASC
- Back to School Night and 8th Grade Parent Night assisting parents and handing out schedules
- Homecoming events – dodgeball team, leading the parade, running events at tailgate, spirit bus
- Fitness Festival
- Culture Night
- Veteran's Day Assembly
- Read Across America
- Slam Poetry Night
- Habitat for Humanity work projects
- Judging the Challenge School Science Fair
Newspaper
Sponsor: Laura Sudik
Meetings: (students must enroll in this class), also meet Wednesdays from 3-5pm in 245D
Interested in writing, reporting, page design, art, photography, and web page? Do you have opinions you want to be heard? Do you want to make a difference? Apply to be a part of the newspaper staff. Help produce Overland's award-winning, full-color news magazine, The Overland Scout. Share your opinions, report on school events, write about athletic and performing arts events, and review new releases in the media and plays at Overland. For more information or to contact the Scout, go to overlandscout.org or email us at OverlandScout@gmail.com.
NUTS (Never Underestimate The Spirit)
Sponsor: Nicci Guagliardo
Meetings: as needed to prepare for OHS sporting events
Got Blazer Spirit? Got Blazer Pride? Be a NUT!
O.H.S. Service Club (formerly Interact Club)
Sponsor: Jodi Sanchez
Meetings: Tuesdays at 6:30am in 121B (beginning in March)
O.H.S. (Our Hands Support) Service Club is a community service club that strives to assist both local and international issues. We work closely with the Smoky Hill Rotary as well as Volunteers of America on a variety of projects. Last year, we volunteered at the rescue mission and raised money to purchase a Shelterbox for earthquake victims in Haiti.
OTV (Overland Television)
Sponsor: Kevin Dalton
Meetings: (students must apply to be in this class)
Students in OTV are responsible for creating and broadcasting Overland's video announcements.
Pre-Med Club
Sponsor: Deb Carnevale
Meetings: Thursdays from 3-4pm in 241D
Pre-Med Club is designed for anyone interested in learning about medical and/or health-related careers and opportunities available to students. From professional surgeons to athletic trainers, Pre-Med Club provides students with the opportunity to converse with speakers about their specialties and career options available. Opportunities for exposure to the health science fields are also provided, as members have an opportunity to participate in field trips and take part in health fairs. Also, students will have the opportunity to take a First Aid and CPR training class.
Props and Costumes Crew
Sponsor: Lara Kendrick and Wendy Somers
Meetings: Tues/Thurs from 3-4pm in Performing Arts hallway (students must apply)
Support the plays and musicals at OHS by getting all of the props needed for the shows, preparing the costumes, and then working on show nights behind the scenes to make sure the show is ready.
Robotics
Sponsor: Brian Huang and Kate McDonnell
Meetings: Thursdays from 3-7pm in IE 101
The Robotics Club will meet regularly for two separate seasons during the school year. We will meet to plan, design, and fabricate a robot to compete in the Colorado BEST Competition in the Fall (http://rockymountainbest.org/default.aspx ]http://rockymountainbest.org/default.aspx) and the larger-scale FIRST robotics competition in January. Students will be exposed to engineering design practices, problem solving, fabrication techniques, and programming as well as the softer details of marketing, project management, and fundraising. If you are interested, please see Mr. Huang in room 230D for more information. The kick-off for the BEST competition is on Saturday, September 18th.
Science Club
Sponsors: Jenn Nass-Fukai, Jeff Neises, and Rebecca Allison
Meetings: Tuesdays from 2:50-4:00pm in 231D
Science Club contributes to NASA research. Would you like the opportunity to fly on the NASA "Zero-Gravity Plane?" Come join Science Club and find out how.
Sisterhood (grades 9 & 10)
Sponsors: Chahnuh Fritz and Natasha Cabout
Meetings: Every other Wednesday from 3:00-4:30pm in Post Grad
For more information see Mrs. Fritz in the Post Grad office of IST.
Skills Club
Sponsor: David LaCour
Meetings: Wednesdays after school in the Auto Shop
The SKILLS club gives students a chance to learn and practice employability skills. Students have an opportunity for more than one million dollars in scholarships and compete with other students at the district, state and national level. SKILLS members make contacts and have networking opportunities with local businesses that lead to employment.
Spanish Club / Spanish Honor Society
Sponsor: Kelly Osuna
Meetings: Mondays after school in 239C
Spanish Club is a place for anyone who wishes to learn more about Hispanic culture and language. The group works to promote understanding about Hispanic heritage and traditions. We share culture with the Prairie Preschoolers, Prairie Middle Schoolers and other Spanish Classes throughout the year. We also help organize Culture Night and the Cinco de Mayo celebration for OHS. Depending on the interests of the participants, we learn about food preparations, various traditional dances , art and cinema in Latin America and we participate in various competitions and conferences.
Speech and Debate
Sponsor: Adrienne Razavi and Ben McDermott
Meetings: Mon-Thurs from 3-5pm in 147D
Speech and Debate is a club and a class! If you love to talk and debate various topics of interest, or are perhaps an aspiring comedian, then this is the club for you. Debaters give speeches on myriad topics, and compete against debaters from other high schools at the district, state, regional, and even national level! An invitation to the national competition is each member's ultimate goal.
Students compete in twelve different events that highlight their talents and enhance their public speaking skills. Students may participate in Cross-Examination Debate, Lincoln Douglas Debate, or Public Forum Debate to improve and demonstrate their argumentation and research skills while debating matters of public policy or philosophy. Original Oratory allows students to prepare a memorized speech about a topic of their choice. Extemporaneous Speaking enhances public speaking skills while focusing on current national and international events. The Interpretation events allow students to showcase their acting skills via the performance of dramatic, humorous, or poetic literature. Students may also participate Duo Interpretation which allows a pair to bring literature to life audience members. Student Congress is a mock congress that affords students the opportunity to debate and discuss matters of current public policy.
Step Team
Sponsor: Lauren Huddleston
Meetings: Wednesdays in 244D from 3:00 – 4:30
Step team is a dance group involving stomps, claps, and slaps to create a rhythmic beat. See Ms. Huddleston in 2013D for more information.
Student Council/Student Government
Sponsor: Jill Bould
Meetings: (students are elected for this class)
Student Council is a class and a club. It consists of students elected to office. Anyone may run for an office. Elections are held in the spring for all grade levels. Once elected, students participate in a classroom structure which emphasizes leadership, commitment, and maintaining Overland High School traditions. Members organize Homecoming and Winterfest Wish Week, and junior class officers organize Prom.
Throughout the year, council students attend various state and league conferences with other councils from across the state. During the summer, Overland council delegates also attend the National Student Council Conference, which is held in a different state each year.
Students for Change
Sponsor: Tim Reyes
Meetings: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:00-3:30 in 137C
Do you want to make a difference in your community? your state? your country? or even the world? Come join us at Students for Change. First meeting 12/4/12.
Techies (Theater Tech)
Sponsor: Jen Ford
Meetings: meet at 3:30pm in the auditorium
If you are interested in set construction, lighting, sound, etc. for Overland Stage Productions, stop by the auditorium after school and lend a hand.
Tepochcalli (Latino/Latina Leadership)
Sponsors: Alli Pineda and Kelly Osuna
Meetings: Mondays after school in 239C
"Tepochcalli" means "House of Youth" and this group is designed as a place for kids (traditionally of Latino decent, but not limited to) to explore and reach their highest potential through experiencing rights of passage that are meaningful and will help develop self confidence, gain valuable skills as life long learners and to help serve as mentors, advocates and allies for their fellow students, thus building a stronger community and thriving students. Through games, discussions, and a multitude of activities students will be provided an opportunity to develop leadership skills, self-awareness, self-respect, disprove stereotypes, foster cultural/racial proficiency, recognize and eliminate institutional racism and celebrate one another's strengths.
TSA (Technology Student Association)
Sponsor: Debbie Gregg and Kate McDonnell
Meetings: Mondays and Wednesdays from 3-5pm in IE 101
If you are interested in any of the following, please come to one of the meetings.
- Architectural Model
- Biotechnology Design
- CAD
- Construction Renovation
- Desktop Publishing
- Digital Video Production
- Cyber Patriot
- Dragster Design
- Engineering Design
- Fashion Design
- Flight Endurance
- Manufacturing Prototype
- Music Production
- On Demand Video
- Photographic Technology
- Structural Engineering
- System Control Technology
- Transportation Modeling
- TSA VEX Robotics
- Video Game Design
- Webmaster
Yearbook
Sponsor: Danny Barocas
Meetings: (students must apply to be in this class)
Overland High School's annual yearbook is consistently one of the best in the state. Yearbook may be taken as a year-long, general elective English credit. Yearbook Production involves writing and associated skills, graphic design, photography, and business skills. All ennrolled students must be willing to work in all of the above areas. Because of deadline restrictions, students must be willing and able to devote time to this project outside of school and to accept responsibility for the completion of the yearbook.
Overland's yearbook has been been awarded the First Class Rating from the National Scholastic Press Association and the All-Colorado Award from the Colorado High School Press Association.