Lutheran South students are involved in many extra-curricular activities in addition to athletics. Organizations and their purposes are given below.
The academic teams challenge the minds of students and increase their knowledge. Through competition with other schools, teams demonstrate scholarship and leadership. Competitions are held at Lutheran South and at other schools throughout the school year. Washington University also hosts a large competition for academic teams each school year. Our teams have placed will in competition and improved in teamwork. We look forward to another good year.
Sponsor: TBA
The Art Club consists of a group of students who have expressed a strong interest in Art and like to do Art related activities in a social setting. In the past, the group primarily functioned as a means to connect younger students with the Art institutions in the St. Louis metro area. Generally we meet at an art museum or gallery, view the works on display, and then go out to eat and discuss the group’s responses to the work. In the future, however, we hope to design and produce artwork that would benefit and promote the school in various ways as well.
Sponsor: Mr. Liebmann
Students meet weekly to play the game and learn from each other!
Faculty Advisor: Mr. Aaron Krieser
Close Up Washington is a week long study visit to our nation's capital. We usually take a group of approximately 30 juniors to Washington near the end of the 3rd quarter, where they are involved in an intensive, non-partisan investigation into how our government functions. They will meet with other interested students from around the country which raise awareness of differences through debate and discussion. The Close up program's primary aim is to make the participants into better citizens. Fundraising activities occur earlier in the year to help with the expenses.
Sponsor: Mr. Nathan Johnston, Mr. Aaron Krieser
There are at least two productions done each year at Lutheran South: a play in the fall and a musical in the spring. Auditions are open to all students at South. Shows from the last few years include Barefoot in the Park, Bye Bye Birdie, The Mousetrap, Once Upon A Mattress, Rehearsal for Murder, Macbeth Did It, South Pacific and Don’t Drink the Water.
Director: Mr. Richard Reiss
FCA is an organization for all students who want to grow in their faith with Christ. Our focus is from an athletic perspective. We talk about what we can do with our abilities to witness and show our love for our Lord. We also discuss what we can learn from athletics to aid in our walk of faith. Members do not have to be “athletes” – all are welcome (we have regular attendees who are merely fans of athletics). We meet before school on some days for a devotion, and other days we will meet in a home where it is easier for discussion, activities, and food to enhance the interaction among the members.
Sponsor: Mr. Steve Schmid
Intramural sports are open to all students. Current sports include bowling and table tennis. Additional offerings are under consideration.
Sponsor: Mr. Albers
Jazz Band is an extra-curricular music group which can also receive a small amount of class credit. Students can be in the group strictly on an extra-curricular level or also register for ¼ class credit per year. Participation in Jazz Band is open to students in instrumental music who have shown a desire and commitment to a more in-depth study of jazz music and its performance. Students will have the opportunity to play big band music and learn the basics of improvisation and jazz history. Instrumentation includes trumpets, trombones, saxes, guitars, drums and piano. Trumpets, trombones, saxes, and drummers in Jazz Band are expected to also participate in Concert Band or Wind Symphony.
Performance expectations include Advent Concert, Spring Tour, Spring Concert, home basketball games, and grade school tour days.
Jazz Band requires an audition. It meets for the full school year on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 7:15 a.m. Jazz Band is open to grades 9, 10, 11, and 12.
Sponsors/Teachers: Mr. John Miller, Mr. Matthew Janssen
The purpose of this organization is to educate ourselves and others on the issues of LIFE. Topics are studied using videos, books and pamphlets, and general discussion. All students have the opportunity, with as much commitment as they feel necessary, to participate in this organization. The only requirement is that they are pro-LIFE.
In the past, members of the group have:
participated in the LIFE Chain
participated in the Affton Days Parade
raised money for pro-LIFE charities
helped the South County Chapter of Lutherans for Life with the mailing of their newsletters
attended Saturday prayer and witness vigils at Planned Parenthood
attended the annual March for LIFE and rally in Washington, DC, in January
Sponsor: Mr. Mike Albers
The goal of the math team is to prepare our students for contests. Math Team, usually meets every other Tuesday through February. At the meetings we work on problems that apply previous knowledge in a new or more complicated way. Often a new topic or technique is either studied or discovered.
Both Excellence in Mathematics contests (fall for all grades; spring for ninth graders) are attended. But the ones of interest are the GPML (Great Plains Math League) contests. By doing well at these, the team or individuals can qualify for State. The State meet is held in April. Doing well there can qualify the team or individuals for Regionals.
We have had very good results in the past with three State Championships in the last four years. Room 115 is full of trophies and plaques from past successes at contests. Last year, a team of three won State. This year, we have already qualified 7 students for State.
We particularly want students on the team who are taking upper-level math (especially those advanced in the curriculum). Although any student is welcome to attend preparation meetings, there is limited room at most contests so only the best of the team members will be asked to attend.
Sponsor: Mr. Mike Albers
Students participate in mock trial for various reasons. Some may aspire to careers in law; some may be interested in how a courtroom works; still others may just enjoy debate. Whatever the reason, Lutheran South's mock trial team has shown growth and success in preparing to argue cases before a judge and has learned a great deal about the law and how it works.
Sponsor: Mr. Aaron Krieser, Mrs. Ann Omura
National Honor Society membership is based on four attributes: Scholarship, Leadership, Character, and Service. Members of this group are blessed by the Lord with talents and abilities that are pretty outstanding. But the true idea behind NHS is to use what God gave us in service to others.
The Lancer Chapter of the National Honor Society is an active group at Lutheran South. The group sponsors, plans, and carries out three or four service projects per year. Within the past year they have collected medications, eyeglasses, and toiletries for people in Honduras, gathered more than 600 toys for children of incarcerated parents, and donated hundreds of jars of peanut butter and jelly to a local food pantry. In addition, all NHS members serve as tutors to other students at LHSS who may be struggling with a course.
Students may be selected for NHS in the spring of their sophomore or junior year.
Sponsor: Mrs. Jenny Meyer
NEW stands for nutrition.exercise.wellness -- a new group at Lutheran South that encouarges healthy choices through activities such as sports tournaments, a walk/run challenge, cook off, nutritious snacks, and awareness of the impact of these choices.
Sponsor: Mrs. Shirley Rauh
Devotions, fellowship, and prayer are included in the Small Groups that provide our worship time at LHSS on Tuesday and Thursdays. Each group consists of students from each class level; a LHSS staff member, a student leader, and a facilitator share in the responsibility of leading discussions, fellowship, and prayer. A training program (retreat) for the student leaders takes place prior to each school year to review leadership skills, plan worship and increase the spiritual effectiveness of our school within society. The use of student leaders in this model is a unique characteristic among other Lutheran high schools in the nation.
Sophomores are eligible to apply and be chosen as Small Group Facilitators. They assist the Small Group Leaders.
Juniors and Seniors are eligible to apply and be chosen as Small Group Leaders.
Sponsor: Rev. Ron Roma
Student Ambassadors is made up of about 30 LHSS students who love their school and enjoy telling other students and families about Lutheran South. The students help with open houses, freshman registration night, various events at the Lutheran elementary schools, and also with shadow days for prospective students.
Sponsor: Mrs. Jayne Lauer
Student Council is made up of 30 students representing all four classes at Lutheran South. These students play an invaluable part in what happens in our school. Activities include Homecoming and Backwards dances, food drives, and blood drives.
Sponsor: Mr. Al Smith
Technology Leaders is a club consisting of a group of approximately 20 students who meet every other Wednesday morning to discuss technology issues throughout the school and share ideas and expertise regarding new software. These students also assist and train LHSS faculty and staff in software and technology that the school uses. The students gain knowledge in technology such as digital cameras, scanners, and data projectors, and in software such as Microsoft applications, OCR (scanning software), and Adobe products.
A student group such as this is very unique in local high schools. Therefore, these LHSS students conduct a presentation at a Midwest region technology conference in February. The presentation consists of how the club is formed, what tasks the club currently performs and what the club may be doing in the future. As a result of this presentation, other schools have asked Lutheran South’s club to assist them in starting a similar group.