ACTIVITY Descriptions

SGO (Student Government) The SGO is comprised of 5 elected officers and an executive board consisting of 4 additional students from each class.  The SGO sponsors various events around the school including “Spirit Weeks”, Pep Rallies, Homecoming events, and other activities held throughout the school year. Funds are used to purchase and sell, at cost, clothing and merchandise to the students as well as to make contributions to charitable organizations.

Class Organizations (4)  Senior, Junior, Sophomore, Freshmen Each of the four classes has an executive board of officers elected yearly that proposes and facilitates a variety of activities during the school year in consultation with an Advisor. All class events and programs are organized and sponsored by each class. Various fund raisers occur during the year as well as opportunities to unite as a class. The monies raised are utilized by each class to fund specific activities for the class (trips, dances, proms, etc.)

Academic Decathlon Ac-Dec is a national academic competition for all students. Organized around ten (10) academic events, students practice in areas of expertise and compete against other school at the local, state, and regional level. Any funds in this account are generated through fundraisers, and the money is utilized to pay for expenses associated with attending competitions, providing food at practice sessions, and end of the year awards. .

Broadcaster The Broadcaster, the student newspaper of Morristown High School, is published six times a year. Put together completely by students, the Broadcaster seeks to give its readers a variety of articles on numerous subjects of interest to the student body. The paper is student generated and produced, enhancing writing and reporting interests of all students. Ad monies generated go towards the general account.  Technology has opened wonderful opportunities for the growth of this club.

Cobbonian Students are introduced to all aspects of desktop publishing in the process of producing the Cobbonian, the annual yearbook, working with Jostens.  The staff learns layout, type spacing, photography, copyrighting, proofreading and relevant computer software. Opportunities also exist for students interested in the business aspects of book publications—sales, marketing, staff motivation and management, bookkeeping, scheduling, and general office responsibilities. Students attend workshops and select and develop the theme for the next yearbook.

FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) is a national association of more than 210,000 high school students whose goal is to serve those seeking careers in business and business education. FBLA offers opportunities to meet and make friends with present and future business leaders from your school, state and around the world.  Students attend workshops and competitions.

FCCLA (Family, Career, Community Leaders of America) FCCLA is open to any student who is taking or has taken a Family & Consumer Science course. It is the only in-school organization with the family as its central focus. It is open to both males and females. FCCLA helps students:  develop a personal leadership style; experience the satisfaction of helping others; work with others toward common goals; develop employability skills; understand themselves and relationships with others; gain new friends through shared group experiences; community service projects; gain recognition for accomplishments on local, state and national levels.

Forensics The Forensics Team consists of students who present prepared speeches in organized interscholastic tournaments throughout the year. A wide selection of categories is offered. Prose and poetry are two categories which do not have to be memorized. Other sections include dramatic and humorous interpretation, declamation, original oratory, impromptu, and duo interpretation. Although the students work as individuals, a sense of teamwork unites participants in the hope of achieving team honors. At the same time, the students can excel individually and win personal trophies and awards. In addition to the weekly team meetings, the Forensics team travels once a month to tournaments held at other local high schools. At these meets, participants from thirty schools are involved in the NJ Forensic League. Each year the club hosts a tournament to raise funds for the coming year.

French Club The MHS French Club aims to allow its members the opportunity to learn about French culture and to promote an understanding of the role of France and the French language in the modern world.  Finally, the club strives to achieve these objectives in an enjoyable and relaxed atmosphere. Meetings take place about twice every month, but many special activities fill the French Club calendar. The excitement continues with French Club parties that have been huge successes, dinners at restaurants, cultural trips and poster and dessert tasting competitions.

GSA (Gay-Straight Alliance) The Morristown High School Gay Straight Alliance promotes tolerance and equality among students of all sexual orientations and gender identities by helping to create a school environment free of homophobic and all other types of harassment through educational efforts and awareness-building. Meetings are held on Mondays when school is in session during lunchtime in the library. At that time students socialize, discuss issues, and plan for future events. There are two big events during the year- The Day of Silence (usually towards the end of April) and the Safe Space Initiative (an ongoing event).

German Club The German Club aims to allow its members the opportunity to learn about German culture and to promote an understanding of the role of Germany and the German language in the modern world.  In addition, members work to refine their German language skills such as pronunciation, intonation and comprehension of written and spoken German.. Meetings take place about twice every month, but many special activities fill the German Club calendar. The excitement continues with German Club parties that have been huge successes, dinners at restaurants, cultural trips and poster and dessert tasting competitions.

Habitat for Humanity The MHS Chapter of Habitat has been recognized and honored by the Morris County Volunteers Association for its community involvement during its brief history.  This organization is comprised of students expressing concern for others and giving their time in projects that will help less fortunate people within the communities serving MHS. Whether building a house or sleeping on the football field in cardboard boxes to support the homeless the members of Habitat remain focused on their objective of bettering life for others. Any fundraising that occurs is approved by the Advisor, endorsed by the school, and utilized to directly fund the activities sponsored by the club as well as making donations to the larger State and National Chapters

Heritage Club The Heritage Club is designed to improve school spirit and build pride in Morristown High School through the gathering, organizing, and dissemination of knowledge about the history and achievements of the school, the students, the faculty (past and present) and the alumni of the high school. Contacts with the Alumni Association and community members have initiated school-wide projects that have resulted in the development of the Heritage Stairs honoring past achievements of our high school students. The Club is open to all grades and it meets bimonthly. The Heritage Club provides a wide range of activities for its members including research and the planning of events through out the school year as well as organizing and facilitating the Heritage Club inductions. All funds raised are utilized by the club to run programs, purchase food and leave gifts to the high school.

Interact Interact is a recently established club at Morristown High School for students interested in doing volunteer work, especially those who wish to mentor younger students. Interact is cosponsored by the Morristown and Morris Plains Rotary Clubs, and is chartered by Rotary International and International Interact Clubs. Members have the opportunity and are encouraged to complete 12 hours of training by the United Way of Morris County to become a certified mentor. Once trained, the club provides several options for mentoring at local elementary schools and other community agencies. Any fundraising that occurs is approved by the Advisor, endorsed by the school, and utilized to directly fund the activities sponsored by the club.

Italian Club The Italian Club is an activity which meets after school, usually once a month, during the school year from October to May. It is open to those students enrolled in the study of Italian language and also any student who has an interest in learning more of the Italian culture. Slide presentations, field trip discussion and any other activity relevant to Italian culture are done at this time also. The excitement continues with Italian Club parties that have been huge successes, dinners at restaurants, and cultural trips. Any fundraising that occurs is approved by the Advisor, endorsed by the school, and utilized to directly fund the activities sponsored by the club.

Jazz Band – “Spectrum” The “SPECTRUM” Jazz Band is for students who have shown the ability to excel on their instruments and who have a desire to play jazz and improvise. “SPECTRUM” meets once a week, usually on Wednesdays from 6:00-9:00 pm and performs many times throughout the year both in and out of school. In the spring, “SPECTRUM” travels to jazz festivals and competitions throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania. They have performed at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Virginia, Hershey Park, Pennsylvania and at Disney World in Florida. The band has also been active in community service work and has given concerts at the Veterans Hospitals in South Orange and Lyons, the United Way Organization, the local Kiwanis Club and at the Morris Township carnival. “SPECTRUM” has been a featured group at the Jazz Night Concert in June, and their performances are always exciting and polished!

Jazz Band – “Jazz, Too” The “JAZZ, TOO!” Jazz Band is for students who would like to learn how to play jazz and learn how to improvise solos on their instruments. It is also for those students who may not be able to make the more demanding commitment to the traveling group, “SPECTRUM”, due to involvement with work or sports. “JAZZ, TOO!” meets once a week throughout the year. Rehearsals are held on Tuesday mornings at 7:00 am. Those students who become members of “JAZZ, TOO!” have the opportunity to give at least one performance for the public, usually at the Jazz Night Concert in June.

Key Club The Key Club, a school service organization sponsored by the Morristown Kiwanis Club, is dedicated to serving the needs of others through fund raising and work projects. It has an annual membership of over 100 students. The Key Club meets bimonthly. This is a tremendous opportunity to serve your school and community by helping others to a better life. Students can accumulate community service hours through the projects and activities engaged by the club. Any fundraising that occurs is approved by the Advisor, endorsed by the school, and utilized to directly fund the activities sponsored by the club. Community donations are handled through the sponsoring organization, Kiwanis International.

Latin Club The Latin Club is an activity which meets after school, usually once a month, during the school year from October to May. It is open to those students enrolled in the study of Latin language and also any student who has an interest in learning more of the culture. Slide presentations, field trip discussion and any other activity relevant to culture are done at this time also. The excitement continues with Latin Club parties that have been huge successes, dinners at restaurants, and cultural trips, as well as sponsorship of the annual “Chariot Races”.

LUNA (Latinos United in North America) Students who are interested in learning more about the customs of Spain and Latin America are invited to join the LUNA Club. Members attend cultural events and dine on authentic Spanish and Latin American cuisine. Students organize activities, such as pinata parties and food festivals. Last year, the members helped organize a canned food drive and other fundraisers to help local community based organizations, and sponsored the Indoor Soccer Tourney.

Marching Band and Color Guard The Marching Band consists of student musicians who really want to perform for large audiences in the most exciting way possible. The music that is played as well as the marching routines are geared to audience response and to generate excitement and enthusiasm!  The Color Guard performs with the band at all functions and adds visual flash and motion to the music through the use of various colorful flags and streamers. The Marching Band and Color Guard have also been involved in competitions held at various high schools and colleges throughout New Jersey. They have participated in a major competition at Giant Stadium where they performed their halftime show in competition against school bands from New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and Pennsylvania. The Marching Band and Color Guard have also performed on the steps of the Capitol Building in Washington, DC, Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Virginia, and have led the parade as they marched down Main Street USA in Walt Disney World in Florida.. Any fundraising that occurs is approved by the Director, endorsed by the school, and utilized to directly fund the activities sponsored by the organization. The Marching Band works directly with the Maroon & White Booster Club which also helps subsidize many Band activities.

Math Team The Morristown High School Math Team is open to any student (grade 9-12) who enjoys and is above average in mathematics. The Team currently competes in six competitions throughout the school year, some occurring during the school day and others after school or on Saturday.  Practices are held once a week from October through April at a time convenient for the majority of team members who sign up at the beginning of each year.

National Art Honor Society The National Art Honor Society is sponsored by the National Art Education Association, and was founded in 1947. The purpose of the National Art Honor Society is to:  (a) recognize those students who have shown outstanding ability in the field of art; (b) serve as an inspiration for students to strive for higher goals in their work, (c) foster excellence and a dedicated spirit in the pursuit of art; (d) encourage the creative abilities and talents of the individual student; (e) assist students in working toward the attainment of their highest potential in the field of art; (f) bring art to the attention of the school and community, (g) increase the awareness of art as a viable area within the total school curriculum, (h) advance aesthetic awareness in all aspects of the total educational program. To carry out some of the purposes, the Society members raise money for an art scholarship for a graduating senior who will enter visual arts; the Society sponsors a Holiday Craft Sale; individual student members exhibit their art work during the Fall Drama and Spring Musical.  Any fundraising that occurs is approved by the Director, endorsed by the school, and utilized to directly fund the activities sponsored by the organization.

National Honor Society The National Honor Society is a national organization with chapters at most secondary schools throughout the country. Admittance to the society is based on the student’s record of scholarship, service, leadership and character. At Morristown High School, admittance to the Saul S. Swanger Chapter of the NHS is one of the highest honors a student can attain.  Members of the society participate in a peer tutoring program at the high school, in after school homework programs for elementary and middle school students within the Morris School District and in a host of charitable and community–based fundraising activities. Any fundraising that occurs is approved by the Director, endorsed by the school, and utilized to directly fund the activities sponsored by the organization or donated to community based groups.

SMAC (Student Movement Against Cancer) SMAC is comprised of students who have been impacted in some way by cancer. The students conduct meetings on a regular basis as well as sponsor fundraising activities to raise money for cancer research and the American Cancer Society. Last year the club was an integral past of raising over $100,000 in the Relay For Life hosted by Morristown High School. The club also serves as a support mechanism for students whom are impacted with cancer in some way in their lives.

STYLE  (Students Teaching Youth Love and Equality) STYLE is an organization that was developed by high schoolers. The main goal is to encourage appreciation of diversity through the reduction of prejudice, bias, discrimination, and hate. Students have been trained as facilitators, and appointed to this program. Challenge Day is an outgrowth of STYLE. Any fundraising that occurs is approved by the Advisor, endorsed by the school, and utilized to directly fund the activities sponsored by the club.

MHS Theatre / Thespian Society Morristown High School Theatre presents two productions yearly, which is for everyone who wants to participate on stage and behind the scenes - a drama/comedy in the Fall and a musical in the Spring. It also consists of the Honor Society, which is Troupe 4647 of the International Thespian Society. The TomFoolery Troupe, a stand-up comedy group, is also part of the theatre experience. All monies generated from ticket sales from the shows and fundraising activities are utilized to directly fund the activities sponsored by the club. This group works with the TPA (Theatre Parents Association) booster club to subsidize/supplement costs for the student productions.

Tricorn The Tricorn is MHS’s award–winning literary magazine. All students are encouraged to submit their poetry, stories, essays, fiction, humor, photography and artwork. Once a student writer or artist is published, they become a writing or art editor the following year. The Tricorn has an editorial staff of approximately 20 such students. The advisor selects the editor in chief and managing editors. The Tricorn also promotes poetry readings, coffee houses and literary efforts within the school.  Meetings are held once a month during the school year and on weekends during the layout of the magazine. Any fundraising that occurs is approved by the Advisor, endorsed by the school, and utilized to directly fund the activities sponsored by the club.

AAA2A  (African-Americans Aspiring To Achieve) AAA2A seeks to facilitate a positive, nurturing school environment that respects and encourages pride in the African culture. The group provides a resource to all African-American students, without prejudice to students of other cultures and ethnicities as well as promoting diversity within the school and community improving race relations and communications between groups.

TSA (Technology Student Association) The TSA is an organization that provides opportunities for students to explore the new and innovative world of technology designing and creating projects around the CAD lab. Students build/create projects in design and present the projects at competitions throughout the year. Any monies raised by this group is approved by the Advisor, endorsed by the school, and utilized to directly fund activities sponsored by the club.

Web Club The Web Club is dedicated to providing a public relations medium with the MHS student population, staff, and community via the Internet. Through the use of the domain name www.morristownhighschool.org, members of the club will participate in the maintenance and upgrading of the high school’s official website. Students who wish to participate in this endeavor do not need web–design experience; though knowledge in utilizing Dreamweaver, file organization and or Photoshop would be a plus.  Any fundraising that occurs is approved by the Advisor, endorsed by the school, and utilized to directly fund the activities sponsored by the club.

WJSV /Colonial Corner/WJSV TV WJSV is an FM radio station owned by the Morris School District Board of Education and operated by the students of Morristown High School. Students learn to operate the equipment, to do remote broadcasts and to be DJs. The station operates from September to June, from 8:00 am until 10:00 pm five days a week. Morristown High School operates a fully equipped color television studio facility. Membership in WJSV is open to all MHS students. Members learn about the world of television production by way of hands–on experience. COLONIAL CORNER is the news/magazine show of Morristown High School. The show is produced by the students of the high school and seen monthly over Cablevision. The program staff meets weekly and there are numerous videotaping sessions as well for each show.

World Language Honor Society The World Language Honor Society is comprised of individual honor societies for French, German, Italian and Spanish. Induction is based on academic achievement after several years of language study. Members are expected to tutor students enrolled in language classes. Students attend cultural events, such as Broadway plays, operas and museum exhibits, and dine at French, German, Italian and Spanish restaurants.