"Art is an adventure into an unkown world, which can only be explored by those willing to take the risks." -Mark Rothko
Buddies is a program that builds one-to-one friendships between people with and without disabilities, offering social mentoring while improving the quality of life and level of inclusion for a population that is often isolated and excluded. Through their participation, people with disabilities form meaningful connections with their peers, gain self confidence and self esteem, and share interests, experiences, and activities that many other individuals enjoy.
Biology Club meets every Thur. after school. We are in charge of maintaining the marine aquarium on display in the science wing of our school. We are also judge the elementary science fair and are involved with projects such as making solar heaters, rain barrels, and other 'green' projects.
Drama Club takes trips to different plays, then later discusses everything about the play.
Environmental Club is a student-led organization aimed toward protecting and improving the environment. Members of this club have participated in trash pick-ups around the high school and field trips to various locations. We also aim to educate the students and staff at the high school about environmental conservation. One of our biggest successes has been the start-up of recycling at BVHS. Each week, members organize and collect recycling from classrooms and common areas to prevent these items from reaching the landfill. Join this club if you want to help conserve and protect the environment.
FCA is Fellowship of Christian Athletes. It is a Christian youth group that meets bi-weekly on Sunday nights at 7 in students homes. Although "athletes" is in the name you don't have to be one to attend. There are many non-athletes who join us regulary. We discuss life lessons from sports and other activities and how to build our relationship with Jesus Christ on a daily basis.
The FFA is an organization that competes in many different career development events (CDE). Fall CDE’s: Ag Broadcasting, Ag communications, As issues, Ag Sales, Creed Speaking, Extemporaneous Speaking, Job Interview, Jr. Parliamentary Procedure, Marketing Plan, Prepared Public Speaking, and Parliamentary Procedure. Spring CDE’s: Ag Business Management, Agronomy, Floriculture, Horse Evaluation and Selection, Meats Evaluation and Technology, Natural Resources, Range Plant ID, Ag Mechanics, Dairy Cattle, Food Science and Technology, Livestock Evaluation, Milk Quality and Products, Nursery/Landscape, and Vet Science. The FFA events put on events such as tractor drives, bowling competitions, petting zoo’s, and we participate in National FFA week. The FFA Puts on one fundraiser during the year; Fruit Sales.
First Priority is a student-led Christian group that allows students to gather together on Tuesday mornings for food, fellowship, and fun!
HOSA is 100% healthcare! This organization helps promote career opportunities within the healthcare industry while training students to deliver quality healthcare to all people. HOSA meets bi-monthly and offers several opportunities for students. Listen to professionals discuss their current health careers; explore various health-related career options; and practice healthcare skills in a competitive event held in the spring. This group is open to all grades!
Students in Math National Honor Society are recognized for outstanding achievement and curiosity in the field of mathematics. Students who have completed Algebra and Geometry with at least a B average are eligible to become members. Math NHS students travel to academic competitions at regional colleges and universities. Members also offer daily tutoring at Brandon Valley Middle School and help high school students prepare for semester tests.
Please contact Mrs. Willman for more information about being a mentor or a tutor.
National Honor Society is a national organization which recognizes outstanding scholarship, leadership, and volunteerism. In the spring of their junior year, students with a GPA of 3.4 or higher are notified of their academic eligibility and will be invited to apply for admittance into NHS. Applications for admittance require proven leadership experiences and community service experience. In addition, the character of each nominee is reviewed by the faculty. Incidences of academic dishonesty or violations of law that resulted in nonparticipation of extra-curricular activities will be taken into account during the character review. Students will be personally notified if their application is accepted and an induction ceremony into the group will occur in the spring.
Oral Interpretation is a performance activity that allows students to perform plays and other pieces of literature for an audience using just voice and body. No props or costumes are allowed; the focus is on creating a character and/or a scene. Students may perform by themselves or with groups of other students. The performances are then entered into competitive tournaments. In the fall semester, a class is offered to prepare students for performances and competition. There is also the opportunity to work after school for students who want to compete but are unable to take the class.
Students who are interested in competitive public speaking can work on extemporaneous speaking and original oratory. Both are activities in which students research and write speeches on either current events or a topic of their choice and present these speeches in a competitive setting. Students interested in this can take the oral interpretation class and use that class time to prepare for their speeches or can work independently after school to prepare.
Quiz Bowl is an academic extra-curricular activity for students in grades 9-12. High School participants meet one morning and one afternoon per week to study for upcoming tournaments. For more information on lettering, participation, etc., please contact Chris White at Christopher.R.White@k12.sd.us. Students at the high school level will participate in 7 or 8 local tournaments.
SALSA, made up of 1500+ members from the four Sioux Falls area high schools, is an organization focused on volunteerism. The HELP!Line Center facilitates group meetings and links high school students to volunteer opportunities in the community through this program. Volunteering enables students to explore careers and increase awareness of community needs. Meetings at Brandon Valley are held the first Tuesday of each month at 7:00 am in the Community Room.
Star Wars Club (SWC) is a student-led organization that is about the love for and the conversations about the Star Wars universe. Anyone can join, and students will hold leadership roles and host events, presentations, and activities for members of the club to participate in. Star Wars Club is hosted on Mondays from 3:20-4:30pm.
Student Council representatives are elected by their class in the spring preceding their governing school year. As an elected representative, the primary responsibility is to bring the views and concerns of your class to the council meeting. At the council meeting you must make decisions based on your wisdom and judgment of the situation as well as the views and concerns of the class. Once a council decision has been made, it is the responsibility of the representative to support the decision, keeping in mind that whatever is adopted by a council could, however, be changed at a later date. Meetings are held at the beginning of each month.
Teens Against Tobacco Use is an organization that focuses on educating student about the dangers of tobacco and vaping use. Members work on creating educational lessons and then go teach these lessons to the 5th grade students in our district. Meetings are held on Wednesday mornings at 7:35 AM in room 205. Listen to announcements for upcoming meetings and events! Everyone is welcome!
The Brandon Valley High School Trap team is open to students in grades 6-12th grade, as long as they have completed a gun safety course. One of the largest teams in the state, we complete on Tuesday and Thursday nights at Garretson Sportsmen’s Club from 4:30 – 7:00. The season runs from the first week in April through the last week in May. Contact Justin Lovrien (Justin.Lovrien@k12.sd.us) with any questions!
Tri-M is the only national honor society in the country for student musicians. Tri-M Music Honor Society focuses on creating future leaders in music education and music advocacy. Membership requirements: students must be enrolled in a school-sponsored music ensemble and/or class for a minimum of two semesters. Students must demonstrate Academic Achievement – At least a 3.0 average in music courses as well as in other academic subjects.