Organizations

The Academic Decathlon is a Language Arts elective course that receives one credit and counts as an AP course for grade points earned. A sponsor signature is required.
Head Coach: Peyton Goodwin, Asst. Coaches: Analisa Damian & Christopher Billot

Best Friends is an organization that pairs special needs students with regular education students. We invite all to get involved either as a Mustang Friend, where students are matched in small groups with other students, Social Friend, where students can come to meetings and activities and just have fun, or Lunch Friends, where students can have lunch on a regular basis with a student. Our goal is to make new friends, touch the lives of everyone on campus, and integrate all students into activities at Friendswood High School.
Sponsors: Vera McKee, Ashley Naylor and Kaitlyn Alati.

(BPA) is a national organization giving students the opportunity to sharpen their business skills and compete on a regional, state and national level. By joining BPA, you can develop skills to work efficiently, develop competence in business occupations, develop student leadership skills and become a member of the National Technical Honor Society. We meet on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. and Wednesday at 8 a.m. each month in Room 601. If you are interested in joining BPA, please contact Lisa Sargent, Jane Pearce or Melanie Crocker.
Sponsors: Lisa Sargent, Jane Pearce and James Cook.

The Friendswood Knights, meets each week to challenge each other in games of chess and to enjoy social time with friends who enjoy the game of chess. All levels of players are welcome.
Chess-Friendswood Knights meets Thursdays after school.
Sponsor: TBD

Saluting Our Soldiers is an organization devoted to supporting our deployed service men and women in Afghanistan and Iraq by sending care packages stuffed with items that are hard to come by. Meetings are every other Monday in room 901 to help plan care packages, special meals and other activities.
Teacher/Sponsor: Jon Hall

Computer Science is open to any student who has successfully completed a Computer Science class or is currently enrolled in a Computer Science class. Members are encouraged to compete in UIL contests. Computer Science competes at the UIL district, regional and state levels.
Sponsor: Annette Walter

CyberPatriot is the National Youth Cyber Education Program created by the Air Force Association to inspire K-12 students toward careers in cybersecurity or other science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines critical to our nation’s future. At the core of the program is the National Youth Cyber Defense Competition, the nation’s largest cyber defense competition that puts high school students in charge of securing virtual networks. 
Sponsor:  Annette Walter

The Friendswood High School Drama Educational Theatre is an organization designed for those students who truly wish to contribute to educational theatre. Throughout the year Drama assists FHS productions in many ways, from performance to ticket sales, from technical to concessions. Friendswood High School Drama Educational Theatre dues are $10 annually. This money is used to purchase refreshments, help sponsor a picnic and supply door prizes throughout the year. A membership form can be obtained from the Drama Office. Thespians and Drama Club Meet every Wednesday in the Studio Theatre room 214 at 3:55 – 4:10.
Sponsor/Director: Kathy Powdrell | Drama Website

All students and faculty members are welcome to be part of Friendswood High School’s chapter of the national organization of FCA, the largest para church organization of Christians in the US. Meetings are informal and student led; students and educators share, read scripture, listen to speakers, pray, and challenge each other to live a life centered in Christ. 
Meetings will be every other Wednesday morning at 8 am in room 112. Watch MCS for specifics. Everyone is invited.

To be a part of FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America) the student must be enrolled in a Family Consumer Science course or have taken one in the past. The purpose of FCCLA is to promote personal growth and leadership development through Family and Consumer Sciences education. Focusing on the multiple roles of family member, wage earner and community leader, members develop skills for life through: character development, creative and critical thinking, interpersonal communication, practical knowledge, and career preparation.
Sponsors: Melissa Novak, Brooke Holtvluwer and Eva Lord

Membership in FFA is limited to students who are enrolled in one of the agriculture science classes. This is a national organization with over 1300 chapters in Texas alone. Competition opportunities are leadership contests in the fall, career development contests in the spring and raising and showing animals throughout the year. Students travel to many high schools and universities for contest sites. Many outside activities are available to students throughout the year. The purposes of this organization are to develop leadership skills, organizational skills, responsibility and productive citizens for the future. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram (@Friendswood_FFA)
Sponsors: Trevor Reifel, Rachel Hults and Bailey Beken

The French Culture provides a unique opportunity for students to become acquainted with different aspects of the French Culture. Activities include learning about French cuisine, French films, and dining at French restaurants. Membership in the organization is highly encouraged for French language students interested in the French way of life and French traditions.

German Culture is a student organization, designed to celebrate and learn about the German Culture. Any student interested in these goals is welcome, whether they are enrolled in German class or not. A monthly meeting with activity is held at the school and most months include an off-campus activity as well, such as German Saturday, Octoberfest, German opera, State German Contest, etc.
GERMAN NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY (Delta Epsilon Phi)
GNHS is a national honor society with chapters on high school and college campuses. The GNHS works in conjunction with the German Culture, but includes a service component as well. Members participate in one group service project per semester, as well as complete individual hours. Membership is voluntary, but initialized on a purely academic basis. All German students are considered for membership after the first semester of German II. Students must have an “A” average in German and an 85 cumulative high school average.
GERMAN AMERICAN PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM (GAPP)
GAPP is a bi-lateral, home-stay exchange program, supported by the US State Department and German Ministry of Education. Participating students host a German teenager from our partner school outside of Berlin, Germany for 3 weeks. Friendswood students visit their partners for 3 weeks in June. Eligible students must be in German II or higher and at least a sophomore before applying to the program. The program is a year-long commitment and will be next experienced in the 2009-2010 school year.

Helping Hands meets every other Monday in Room 2005.

We are an organization that has a sole purpose is to raise money and or donations for charitable causes.

Sponsor: Vanessa Parker

HOSA is a national student organization endorsed by the U.S. Department of Education and the Health Science Technology Education Division. HOSA’s mission is to promote career opportunities in the health care industry and to enhance the delivery of quality health care to all people. HOSA’s goal is to encourage all health occupations instructors and students to join and be actively involved in the HSTE-HOSA Partnership. HOSA provides a unique program of leadership development, motivation, and recognition exclusively for secondary, postsecondary, adult, and collegiate students enrolled in HSTE programs. HOSA is 100% health care! It is 100% student-led organization.
Our award winning local chapter is very active in leadership development, community service, as well as the competitive events offered by National HOSA. HOSA is open to any student who has an interest in the health care profession, not just students who take Health Science Cluster classes.
Sponsors:  Carla Burris, Heather Martin and Kimberly Hart

Interact is a world-wide organization for youth interested in service and international understanding. Interact is sponsored by Rotary International. The Interact Club performs community service projects as a group and performs at least one international project.
 

Junior Classical League is an international organization headquarters at Miami University of Ohio whose purpose are to foster academic achievement and to promote camaraderie among high school Latin students both intramurally and intermurally. Our primary events are the regional and Texas State conventions in the spring each year; we also have an annual outing to the Greek Festival at the Annunciation Cathedral in Houston in September. At Christmas we celebrate Saturnalia, a winter feast. For fundraising we sell European candy. Membership in JCI is not mandatory, but carries with it many perks. The Latin Culture mission is to unite in the study of classics, to join a community of like-minded individuals from across the country, and to have great fun in the endeavor.
Sponsor: Michael Wells

The Math & Science Organization is an organization that strives to promote a passion for mathematics & science while providing tutoring services to the elementary & intermediate schools in Friendswood.  Students are also encouraged to participate in UIL math events. Students must maintain at least a 3.0 average in their high school math class in order to participate. Students may earn a membership into the national high school and junior college math honor society, Mu Alpha Theta by joining the Math & Science Organization and completing 30 service points. Club dues are $5 and meetings are once a month at 8 a.m. in room 1031.
Sponsor: Monica Wilder

The Friendswood Chapter of the National Honor Society is governed by the national organization. Academic eligibility for National Honor Society is 5.0 weighted cumulative GPA. Candidates for acceptance to NHS must be members of the Sophomore, Junior or Senior class.  Eligible students will receive an invitation to apply after the first semester if the required cumulative GPA has been met. Applications are reviewed based on academics, involvement in school activities and clubs, as well as community service.

Sponsors: Mandy Davies and Hannah McDermett
NHS Honor Society Website

The National Art Honor Society was created for the purpose of inspiring and recognizing those students who have shown an outstanding ability in art. The NAHS strives to aid members in working toward the attainment of the highest standards in art areas, and to bring art education to the attention of the school and the community. Students do not have to be currently enrolled in a Friendswood art class to be eligible to become a member…We meet in room 422 at 8 A.M. on Tuesday mornings at 8 A.M. in room 421. The purpose of the society is to promote art in the community and in our school. New members are welcome and membership is $3 for the year. They are currently having a Bake Sale, Thursday and Friday, to raise Money for Breast Cancer Awareness.
Sponsor: Mandy Harris

The National English Honor Society (NEHS) is the only national organization exclusively for high school students and faculty who, in the field of English, merit special note for past and current accomplishments. Immediate benefits of affiliation will be national recognition, scholarship eligibility, and opportunities for national networking with others who share enthusiasm for, and accomplishment in, the language arts. NEHS (Friendswood High School) website
Sponsor: Lauren Malone 

The Sociedad Horaria Hispánica (SHH) is an honor society in Spanish and/or Portuguese, sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese (AATSP). Any secondary school student who has maintained an honor average (90+) in the study of Spanish or Portuguese for a minimum of three semesters in a Pre-AP or AP course and is in the 10th grade or higher is eligible to be a member of the SHH. Prior to induction, members are also required to earn a minimum of 6 credit hours by participating in culturally relevant community service, giving Spanish tutorials on campus, or attending Spanish Club meetings. Spanish Club meets every other Thursday after school in Mrs. Gutierrez’s room, room 110. Induction to SHH occurs in late April or early May. Watch MCS for details!
Sponsor: Lydia Wharton

NTHS is the honor society that honors student achievement in career and technical student organizations such as BPA, DECA, FCCLA, FFA, HOSA, SKillsUSA, and TSA. NTHS promotes leadership and educational excellence by recognizing outstanding students and providing scholarship opportunities. The induction ceremony is in April each year.
Sponsors: Melissa Novak and Brooke Holtvluwer

The Academic Octhalon is not unlike athletic competition in that it demands dedication and commitment and promotes wholesome competition. The Academic Octathlon, an eight-event scholastic competition for high school teams throughout the state, promotes a new type of campus hero.

With teams composed of a combination of A, B and C students in grades 9-10, this non-elitist program is designed to send a message to all students that perseverance, study and teamwork can bring personal rewards. While stimulating the same sense of school spirit and pride that athletic teams accomplish, the Academic Octathlon team also provides strong, positive role models for other students on campus.

Coaches: Adam Brown, Elizabeth Woodley

PAL-Peer Assistance and Leadership® is an award winning, non-profit program providing effective training in “resiliency” strategies. The PAL® peer helping program combats problems such as violence in schools, drug abuse, teen pregnancy, gang participation and school dropouts by providing a critical line of defense both at school and in the home through building peer helping programs all over Texas.
Teacher/Sponsor: Melissa Victorick

The FHS Robotics team competes in the FIRST® Tech Challenge Platform.  Students work together in groups to design, build, and program  robots that will eventually compete in floor games against other teams’ robots at the district, state, and national levels. Involvement in FIRST® also qualifies students for numerous FIRST® scholarship opportunities.
Sponsors:  Melissa Sauceda, Jim Foreman and Evan Williams

Skills USA Audio Video at FHS is an organization where audio and video production students compete in contests such as Broadcast News, Digital Cinema and TV Production. Students compete at the district, state and national level. SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce.
Sponsors: Al Taglialavore and Angelique Suggs

SKillsUSA Engineering students at FHS compete in contests such as Urban Search and Rescue Robotics,  Mobile Robotics Technology, and Technical Drawing.  Students compete at the district, state and national level. SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers, and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce.
Sponsors: Melissa Sauceda, Jim Foreman and Evan Williams

Students enrolled in Law and Public Safety classes have the opportunity to join the FHS SkillsUSA Chapter. SkillsUSA prepares students for further education or careers in a variety of skills and trades, including law-specific competitions. These include active events like Crime Scene Investigation, Felony Traffic Stop, and Skills Demonstrations. Students can show off what they have learned in the Law Quiz Bowl, as well as in several types of displays – think science fair but for law and public safety skills. Finally, students can enter leadership events, like Extemporaneous Speaking and Prepared Speech. Success at the District competition can lead to the State and National competitions. Qualification for State and Nationals also provides scholarship opportunities.
Sponsor: Jon Hall

The Spanish Culture Club is an extension of the cultural studies of Spanish classes. It provides students with a social outlet related to Spanish and a chance for camaraderie among students. Membership and meeting attendance can be used towards service credit hours for the Spanish National Honor Society. Meetings are every other Thursday after school in room 110. Watch MCS for details. All are welcome! Sponsor: Sonia Gutierrez

The mission of the student council of Friendswood High School is to instill leadership skills and values of service in our school and community. It is the unity of organizations and the variety of service projects that set the Council apart as a unique group whose efforts benefit the entire student body.
Sponsors: Laura Peter and Amanda Davies

Sponsor: Kathy Powdrell

Tri-M is the international honor society recognizing secondary music students for their musical ability, academic excellence, school involvement, and community service. The requirements for membership include maintaining an “A” grade in music classes and a “B” average in other classes. Students must also earn a Division 1 rating at Solo and Ensemble Contest, or earn membership in a High School All-Region Auditioned organization. Tri-M members will have the opportunity to perform at school and in the community.
Sponsor: Mike Tyer

The University Interscholastic League (UIL) offers the most comprehensive program of academic competition in the nation. UIL Academics offers more activities than any other UIL division, with 29 contests at the high school level.

The events in which students can compete are the following:

Accounting
The Accounting Contest is an hour-long contest consisting of 80 – 100 questions that focus on the elementary principles and practices of accounting for sole proprietorships, partnerships and corporations, and may include bookkeeping terminology, the worksheet with adjustments, income statement, balance sheet, trial balance, account classification, journalizing, posting, bank reconciliation, payroll and other items related to the basic accounting cycle. 
Sponsor:  Jane Pearce

Calculator Applications
The Calculator Applications Contest involves a thirty-minute test comprised of 70 mathematical problems that are solved with a handheld calculator:
• 35 numerical,
• 21 stated,
• 14 geometry.
Sponsor:  Mary Gillespie

Computer Applications 
Computer Applications focuses on word processing speed and accuracy, skill in the use of database and spreadsheet applications, and the integration of all of these. Contestants will have the opportunity to produce two printouts and the mandatory tie breaker. Each printout will be assigned a weighted point value, based on difficulty, which will be so indicated on the contest paper.
This is a technology based contest, and the goal is for students to have a thorough, working knowledge of these three applications and be able to complete substantial tasks in all of them and to direct data from one application to another. The difficulty of the elements on tests will increase as we get to higher levels of competition.
Sponsor:  Kristen Balch

Computer Science
The Computer Science contest challenges students to study a broad range of areas in computer science and has both an individual and a team component. Competition consists of a 45-minute written exam for both components, along with a two-hour programming contest for teams.
At all levels of competition, individual places are determined solely by written exam scores. All contestants compete for individual honors at all levels of competition. Individuals placing first, second and third advance to the next level.  For the team component, the team’s top three scores on the written exam are added to its score in the programming session to produce an overall team score. First-place teams advance to the next level of competition.   
Sponsor:  Annette Walter

Current Issues and Events
The Current Issues and Events Contest focuses on a basic knowledge of current state, national and world events/issues and consists of 40 multiple-choice questions and one essay. The essay is intended to assess the competitor’s ability to synthesize and evaluate information and present it in an informed manner. 
Sponsor:  Ashley Birmingham

Journalism
The UIL sponsors five journalism contests – News Writing (45 minutes), Feature Writing (60 minutes), Editorial Writing (45 minutes), Headline Writing (30 minutes) and Copy Editing (15 minutes). Students compete at the district level, and then the top three places advance to regionals. From regionals, the top three places advance to state competition. The UIL journalism program has seen increased participation in recent years. Many contests winners have gone on to excel as professional journalists. 
Sponsor:  Jenna Crosson

Mathematics
The Mathematics Contest consists of a 40-minute, multiple-choice exam with 60 questions, designed to test knowledge and understanding in the areas of basic mathematics, algebra I and II, geometry, trigonometry, math analysis, analytic geometry, pre-calculus and elementary calculus.  
Sponsor:  Mary Gillespie

Literary Criticism
The UIL Literary Criticism Contest is a 90-minute test in which the student’s familiarity with the concepts associated with literary analysis, authors, and works that represent English-language literary history, as well as some of its classical and international influences, is assessed.
Three sections constitute the scored part of the test; a required tie-breaking essay that invites the student to exercise his or her skill in literary analysis completes the test.
• Part 1: Knowledge of Literary Terms and Literary History (30 one-point items)
• Part 2: The UIL Reading List – differs year to year (20 two-point items)
• Part 3: Ability in Literary Criticism (15 two-point items)
• Part 4: The Tie-Breaking Essay
Sponsor:  Suzanne Stafford

Number Sense
The Number Sense Contest involves a ten-minute, 80 question mental math test covering all high school mathematics courses (See the sequence chart link in the right sidebar). Short cuts need to be developed and practiced in order to compete and finish the test.  
Sponsor: Mary Gillespie

Ready Writing
In the Ready Writing Contest, the students are given two hours to write expository compositions. They have a choice between two prompts, each an excerpt from literature, publications (past and present) or speeches.  
Sponsor:  

Science
The purpose of the Science Contest is to challenge high school students to do a wide range of reading in biology, chemistry and physics, to gain an understanding of the significance of experiments rather than to recall obscure details, to be alert to new discoveries and information in the areas of science, to gain an understanding of the basic principles as well as knowledge of the history and philosophy of science, and to foster a sense of enthusiasm about science and how it affects our daily lives.
The contest consists of a two-hour objective test with 60 questions – 20 from biology, 20 from chemistry and 20 from physics.
Sponsor:  Megan Marshall

Social Studies
The Social Studies Contest consists of 45 objective questions and an essay. Students are expected to master primary reading selections, as well as specific documents, and to be familiar with general-knowledge social studies concepts and terms. Each year, the contest focuses on a different topic area and a reading list that is provided by UIL.  
Sponsor:  Jennifer Sicuro

Spelling and Vocabulary
Each year, the UIL Spelling and Vocabulary Contest is based on a different vocabulary list provided by UIL and consists of a three-part test:
• Part I:  A fifteen-minute section of 30 multiple-choice items focused on vocabulary and proofreading, and…
• Part II & III: The hand-written spelling of 70 words pronounced aloud to contestants, as well as a tiebreaker section of 20 additional pronounced words.
Sponsor:  Jennifer McNew