Band
The purpose of this group is to better our lives through music while increasing students’ individual leadership skills and also foster an environment of increased civic pride and responsibility. This is the organization for people who are looking to take their level of awesome to the next level.
Advisor: Derrick Hawks
Battle of the Books
This is a statewide competition designed to get students to read a wide range of books with a group of peers. Our groups are formed in the fall and teams read and meet throughout the school year. In the spring, we compete in the online battle with the hope of advancing to the Grand Battle in Marshalltown.
Advisor: Jen Dovre
Website: https://sites.google.com/site/ihsbobooks/home
Twitter: @ballardlibrary
Book Club
This student-led reading group meets several times each month. The group chooses the books they want to read for the month and they meet periodically to discuss the books and related topics.
Advisor: Jen Dovre
Website:https://sites.google.com/ballard.k12.ia.us/aflaherty/mrs-flaherty/clubs-organization-videos
Twitter: @ballardlibrary
Choir
The purpose of this group is to better our lives through music. We encourage each other’s’ individual leadership skills and foster a collaborative environment of increased personal pride and musical artistry. The Choir Program stands for and are ambassadors of the integrity of Ballard High School.
Advisor: Bryce Shutt
Drama
Drama offers students a fun opportunity to learn skills and socialize through the production of plays.
Advisor: Lisa Ronca
Website: https://sites.google.com/ballard.k12.ia.us/aflaherty/mrs-flaherty/clubs-organization-videos
Twitter: @bhsspeech_drama
Instagram: ballardspeechdrama
FCA (Fellowship of Christian Anybodys)
Our meetings are open to everyone. We start by mingling and eating food or snacks. Then we normally follow with a fun game and a message from a student at Ballard or other adults, college students, or teachers.
Our purpose is to spread the love of Jesus Christ through fellowship with our student body.
Twitter: @BallardFCA
Instagram: ballard_fca
FFA
The Ballard FFA Chapter was chartered on October 9, 2014 and currently provides leadership opportunities to members at local, district and state levels. The Ballard FFA Chapter makes a difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.
The Ballard FFA Chapter is part of the Ballard High School Agricultural Education program. The program offers classes for high school students in the areas of animal science, plant science, agribusiness and agricultural leadership. All FFA members of the Ballard FFA Chapter are enrolled in at least one semester of an agricultural education class.
In addition to agricultural education coursework, members participate and keep records for individual supervised agricultural experience programs. These programs range from animal and wildlife entrepreneurships to landscape placements.
Advisor: Jeff Edwards
Website: www.ballardffa.com
Model United Nations
Model UN introduces students from around the country to diplomacy, negotiation, and decision making through various events, including simulations of the United Nations General Assembly. For fall and spring events, students become “ambassadors” from a country that is a part of the United Nations. As an ambassador, or delegate, students prepare draft resolutions, plot strategy, negotiate, resolve conflicts, and follow the rules of actual United Nations procedure. Model UN aims to help students become more involved in worldly issues through collaboration, research, writing, public speaking, negotiation, debate and global awareness. Students develop academic, social and leadership skills through this program.
Advisor: Whitney Hulse
Website: https://sites.google.com/a/ballard.k12.ia.us/ms-hulse-s-spanish-courses/model-un
National Honor Society
Organization established to recognize outstanding high school students in the areas of scholarship, service, leadership, character and citizenship. Membership is limited to juniors and seniors.
Advisor: Lisa Doland
Large Group & Individual Speech
This club offers students an opportunity to develop and practice competition speeches.
Advisors: Lisa Ronca, Shelly Holly, Deanna Faubus
Website: https://sites.google.com/a/ballard.k12.ia.us/lronca/home/extra-curricular-speech-and-drama
Twitter: @bhsspeech_drama
Instagram: ballardspeechdrama
Stomp Out Stigma (SOS)
SOS (Stomp Out Stigma) is a youth led group that empowers young people to become leaders in their schools. Is is a space for students to learn how to help spread mental health awareness as well as bring light to issues around student life at school to effectively make changes to school climate.
Advisor: Mrs. Flaherty
Student Council
The purpose of the BHS Student Council is to improve school spirit, provide service to the Ballard communities, and be a voice for the student body. Student Council members gain leadership training and knowledge through their work.
The Student Council is a student-run organization representing all four grade levels. Student Council members are responsible for planning and executing a variety of school spirit and community service projects. Ballard High School Student Council has been an IASC Honor Council since 2011 and an NASC National Council of Excellence since 2017.
Advisor: Whitney Hulse