Clubs & Organizations
Ways to Get Involved
- ACE Program
- ARK Club
- Asian Culture Club
- Ballet Folklorico de Ball High School
- Band
- Book Club
- Cheerleading
- Chess Club
- Choir Club
- Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA)
- Fellowship of Christian Athletes
- Grappling Club
- Interact
- Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC)
- KEY Club
- Mu Alpha Theta
- National Art Honor Society
- National Honor Society
- National Spanish Honor Society
- National Technical Honor Society
- Purple Quill
- Skateboard Club
- Sprouts Environmental Club
- Student Athletic Trainers
- Student Council
- Surfrider Student Club
- Technology Student Association (TSA)
- Texas Association of Future Educators
- Thespians
- Tornettes
- UIL Academics
ACE Program
ARK Club
Asian Culture Club
Ballet Folklorico de Ball High School
Sponsor: Anna Olivares
Contact: annaolivares@gisd.org
Ball High Ballet Folklorico (Hispanic dance) has been presenting the culture, heritage and beauty of Mexico through folkloric dance at many events.
We are committed to creating a space for students to feel inspired, gain self-confidence and learn about the Mexican heritage through folklore dancing. Our dance style is a combination of ballet and folkloric technique that displays the beauty of Mexico while maintaining the essence of Mexico's heritage.
The mission of the Ballet Folklorico de Ball High School is to preserve the traditions of our ancestors through the art of traditional Mexican folklore, while providing a positive environment where its members can express themselves through dance, gain confidence and be motivated to do well in their classes.
Band
Sponsors: Gary Jones
Contact: garyjones@gisd.org
The Ball High School Band program includes Marching Band, Concert Bands, Small Ensembles, and Solos. Our students compete in UIL evaluations in each of these categories.
The Golden Tornado Marching Band is featured at Half time throughout the Football season and in numerous parades throughout the school year. They compete in Marching Band UIL in the Fall. The Concert and Symphonic Bands compete in UIL Concert and Sight Reading Contest every Spring. Solos and Ensembles compete in UIL Solo and Ensemble Contest every year. Most years we have students who qualify for the State UIL Solo and Ensemble Contest, which is usually over the Memorial Day Weekend in Austin.
Come join the Band - let the music move you!
Book Club
Cheerleading
Chess Club
Choir Club
Sponsor: Larrian Menifee
Contact: larrianmenifee@gisd.org
Mission Statement: To promote musical and cross-curricular distinction by uniting students through performance, musical diversity, education, and engagement.
The Award-Winning Ball High School Choir program includes a Varsity Mixed Ensemble, Treble and Tenor-Bass Non-Varsity Ensembles, Small Ensembles, and Solos. Our students compete in UIL evaluations in each of these categories, many of which advance to perform at the State level.
The Ball High Choir Program is well-integrated in the Galveston community through annual Holiday performances, local business relationships and partnerships, and our passion for spreading the love of music across our Island.
Each year, our students put on a holiday concert, spring pop show, UIL showcase, several socials and events, a banquet, and more! The Ball High Choir is a family who's always looking for new members!
Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA)
Fellowship of Christian Athletes
Sponsor: Mr. Creighton
Contact: houstoncreighton@gisd.org
The Fellowship of Christian Athletes is touching millions of lives…one heart at a time. Since 1954, FCA has been challenging coaches and athletes on the professional, college, high school, junior high and youth levels to use the powerful platform of sport to reach every coach and every athlete with the transforming power of Jesus Christ. FCA focuses on serving local communities around the globe by engaging, equipping and empowering coaches and athletes to unite, inspire and change the world through the gospel.
Grappling Club
Interact
Sponsor: Matasha Lewings
Contact: matashalewings@gisd.org
Interact is a Rotary-sponsored service club for young adults. It gives high school students, an opportunity to participate in fun and meaningful service projects throughout the community. Interact Club is self-supporting and self-governing, thus encouraging the development of leadership skills.
Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC)
Sponsor: Mark Knight and James Krause
Contact: markknight@gisd.org or jameskrause@gisd.org
The Ball High Army JROTC has been designated as an Honor Unit for 8 years. Our Unit Crest, an insignia of the Ball High School Rotunda Dome, was established and approved by the U.S. Army on October 29, 1975. The mission, what our Army JROTC cadets strive to achieve, is spoken every day and in every class period. The reason why this is our standard is so that our cadets know the values that they will need later on in life. Today's JROTC program is taught by SAI (Senior Army Instructor) Major Mark Knight, who teaches the LET levels 3 and 4. He helps LET 3 and 4 cadets refine their leadership skills by giving those positions of authority and helping them when they make mistakes. He also helps the AI (Army Instructor) Sergeant First Class Eduardo Gonzales train new cadets in the basic and more complex commands out of the 23 Commands used when marching.
JROTC TEAMS
Color Guard Team
Presents the National Colors at various events.
Drill Team
A marching unit that performs routines based on military drill.
Marksmanship Team
It’s a 10m - Indoor Olympic Air Rifle Team that competes nationally.
P.T. Team
Using different types of exercises, the P.T. Team stays fit and healthy while going to competitions against other JROTC units.
JROTC Academic & Leadership Teams (JLAB)
KEY Club
Sponsor: Katie Lewis
Contact: katielewis@gisd.org
Members of Key Club are given opportunities to serve, build character, and develop leadership. Key Club members are in partnership with our local Kiwanis club as we strive to make a positive impact serving our schools and community. Membership is open to 9th-12th graders who want to make a difference by volunteering and serving others.
Mu Alpha Theta
Sponsor: Kyle Fisher and Karalyn Hollis
Contact: kylefisher@gisd.org and karalynhollis@gisd.org
Mu Alpha Theta, the National High School and Two-Year College Mathematics Honor Society, was formed in 1957 at the University of Oklahoma. We are dedicated to inspiring a keen interest in mathematics, developing strength in the subject, and promoting the enjoyment of mathematics in high school. Currently, more than 100,000 students are Mu Alpha Theta members at more than 2,420 schools in the United States and in 23 foreign countries.
Mu Alpha Theta:
Provides a method for schools to recognize and encourage students who enjoy and excel in mathematics.
Organizes a national convention for students to participate in math-related events and interact with others from across the country.
Rewards outstanding extracurricular achievement by offering special awards, scholarships, and grants to students.
Provides mathematics competitions to participating members through the Rocket City Math League and the Mathematical Minutes Video Contest.
Sponsors Pi Week events at Ball High School.
National Art Honor Society
National Honor Society
Sponsors: Ashley Hart and Lauren Seiler
Contact: ashleyhart@gisd.org or laurenseiler@gisd.org
National Honor Society is a merit-based service organization that focuses on empowering, championing, and recognizing well-rounded students. NHS focuses on a value-based framework centered around the Four Pillars of Scholarship, Service, Leadership, and Character.
Since 1946, the Ball High School NHS Chapter has served the Galveston area through various service projects and currently partners with multiple Galveston area nonprofits. Members are the highest achieving students in the 11th and 12th grade.
Prospective members of NHS will be notified of their eligibility during Spring of their Sophomore, Junior, or Senior year. Potential members must: have a 3.5 GPA, have excellent conduct, and complete the application process. Once the committee has reviewed all applicants, potential members will be further notified and be required to attend the Induction ceremony.
NHS InnerView Page: https://innerview.org/group/4224/national-honor-society
National Spanish Honor Society
Sponsor: Eva Purcell
Contact: evapurcell@gisd.org
Purpose:
The purpose of National Spanish Honor Society (La Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica) is to recognize high achievement in Spanish and Portuguese, to promote continuity of interest in Hispanic studies, including scholarship, leadership, character, and service.
Qualifications to become a member of the Conde de Galvez Chapter of Sociedad Honoria Hispánica.
1. You are currently taking a Spanish class.
2. You are a sophomore, junior, or senior, No freshmen, no exceptions.
3. You must have a 3.5 GPA average for each year of Spanish.
4. You are in the second semester of Spanish II or higher. Three semesters of Spanish must be on your transcript. Your transcript must be attached to your application. Requests can be made to the registrar.
National Technical Honor Society
Sponsor: Edmund Hendon
Contact: edmundhendon@gisd.org
The National Technical Honor Society is an educational non-profit that exists to honor, recognize, and empower students and teachers in Career & Technical Education.
As the honor society for Career & Technical Education, NTHS serves over 100,000 active members annually in both secondary and postsecondary chapters across the country.Since its founding in 1984, nearly 1 million students have become NTHS alumni. NTHS honors the achievements of top CTE students, provides close to $300,000 in scholarships annually, and strives to help connect education and industry to build a highly skilled workforce.
We have done other activities in the Galveston community. We visit the Ronald McDonald House of Galveston feed the residents and participate in other activities with them. We have done Bell ringing for the Salvation Army during the holidays, and when called upon for volunteers in the community we are there.
You must have a 3.3 GPA in your CTE classes and earn 30 points per school year in community service to be a member.
Purple Quill
Sponsors: Tammy Simmons
Contact: tammysimmons@gisd.org
The Ball High Purple Quill documents the school year and publishes a yearbook for each graduating class. In yearbook, students learn layout and design, interview skills, photography, as well as news and feature writing techniques. Yearbook is a great way to get involved in the publication of an award-winning Ball High tradition.
Skateboard Club
Sprouts Environmental Club
Student Athletic Trainers
Sponsor: Chassidy Robinson
Contact: chassidyrobinson@gisd.org
The mission of the Student Athletic Trainer Program at Ball High School is to provide medical coverage to the athletic teams, as well as help assist the Athletic Training Staff. This program will help young adults learn basic medical skills and prepare them for a future career in the medical field. This program will also provide a social forum for students to interact in a variety of both educational and fun settings.
Student Council
Surfrider Student Club
Technology Student Association (TSA)
Sponsor: Edmund Hendon
Contact: edmundhendon@gisd.org
The Technology Student Association (TSA) is a national, non-profit career and technical student organization (CTSO) of middle school and high school students engaged in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Since TSA was chartered in 1978, over 5,000,000 student members have participated through competitions, intra - curricular activities, leadership opportunities, community service, and more.
Texas Association of Future Educators
Sponsor: Maggie Cann
Contact: margaretcann@gisd.org
The Texas Association of Future Educators (TAFE) is a student organization focused on fostering an interest in education careers. It provides opportunities for students to explore teaching professions through conferences , competitions, and school and community involvement, helping students leadership and teaching skills. Additionally, our TAFE chapter is dedicated to community impact through projects at the elementary and middle school campuses here in Galveston ISD. Our goal is to enrich education and create positive learning experiences through these projects.
Thespians
Tornettes
Sponsor: Director Chesney Garza and Assistant Director Kryston Schilhab
Contact: chesneygarza@gisd.org
Galveston's own dancing darlings, the Ball High Tornettes, are the official dance team for the Ball High Tornadoes. This is where passion for dance and love for the community combine under the magical Texas Friday night lights. The team in comprised of talented and well rounded individuals who strive to be ambassadors for the community
The Tornettes start their year in mid-July going through weeks of team camp preparing for the year ahead working on skills, technique and routines. Then, they begin their first performance season under the "Friday Night Lights" dancing during the halftimes of all the football games. Once football season is over, they begin their 'Season of Giving' by participating in multiple community outreach project and performing in Central Middle School's annual Winter Show. When they get back from winter break they begin prepping for competition and Mardi Gras. The Tornettes and Ball High Band participate in at least 7 parades every year to show their love and dedication to the island. Right after Mardi Gras, they jump into competition season where they get to showcase their talents and skills competing against teams all over Texas. Finally, once competition is over they prepare for their biggest event of the year, their annual Tornette Spring Show.
Being a Tornette takes more responsibility, dedication, leadership and commitment than your average high school student. The team is one of the first to arrive at the school and one of the last to leave. They begin their day with early morning 6am practices and can end their days with 7pm game days for football or basketball. The Tornettes have to maintain all their responsibilities they have on the team while managing their time for schoolwork and other academic activities. Once they leave this team they are taking with them a variety of transferable skills to help them become successful adults in society.
2024-2025 TORNETTE AUDITIONS
MANDATORY DATES
24-25 INTEREST MEETING
February 6, 2024 @6pm
TECHNIQUE WORKSHOPS
Feb. 5,7,12,14,21,26 & 28
5pm-6pm
BHS Dance Room
MOVEMENT LEARNING DAYS
March 4, 2024-March 6, 2024
3:30pm-5pm
@ BHS Lower Gym
AUDITION DAY
March 7, 2024
4pm-TBD
@ BHS Lower Gym
UIL Academics
Sponsors: Mr Merritte for Speech and Debate, Ms Hollis for Academics, Mr Nealon for Theater
Contact: michaelmerritte@gisd.org, karalynhollis@gisd.org, williamnealon@gisd.org
The University Interscholastic League offers the most comprehensive program of academic competition in the nation. UIL Academics offers more activities than any other UIL division, with 30 contests at the high school level. Whatever you are interested in, there are probably UIL contests for you! Math, Science, Writing, Spelling and Vocabulary, Speech and Debate, Robotics, Computer Science, One-Act Play, Theatrical Design, Social Studies, and Journalism are just some of the contests. Anyone can join! More than half a million students participate in UIL academic contests each year – you can be one this year!