Gallery • 6 Photos

Established in 1980, National High School Activities Month is celebrated during October and urges the public to promote and show appreciation for the values present in high school activities and athletics. This is practiced by encouraging students to perform better academically and physically. High schools also provide education on healthy living, and honor adults and students who support and participate in these activities.
October is dedicated to increasing the public’s awareness of the importance of education-based programs, sports, and performing arts. South honors this by recognizing changes made to the athletics and activity programs recently.
Over this past summer, the weight room was renovated with new floors, fresh paint, and new equipment. By revamping the weight room, students and athletes are pushed to use it to its full potential. It is open to all students everyday after school until 4:30 p.m..
“We want to really put an emphasis on our athletes and getting stronger and faster. We wanted to show the kids our commitment to doing that, and having outdated, broken equipment I don’t think sent that message,” Chet Lines, athletic director said.
For gym classes like strength and conditioning, P.E. teachers and coaches have invested in a program called Platform that allows them to create workouts and make them accessible to students. The program tracks student’s and athlete’s progress, letting them see a visual of it.
“The kids in our classes can see the growth that they’re having, and teachers and coaches can print out and see not only current growth but potential growth, and what they should be doing in the near future,” Lines said.
Another new addition to Plainfield South is the yoga club. Founded by senior Mia Anguiano, the yoga club meets two Tuesdays a month in the 100 RS. By having members of the club fill out a google form of material they want to cover, Anguiano will base every lesson off what members want to see.
“It’s a place to calm their mind almost. Something they can be a part of where it’s not stressful, nothing’s mandatory, it’s not one of those clubs where you have to go or else you’re not a part of it. It’s for anybody,” Anguiano said.
Supervisor of the yoga club, Shantel Eagan, P.E. teacher, thinks the club will be great in terms of physical exercise along with mental and stress relief.
“We will go through some yoga poses but also practice some mindful meditation. Just thinking about things we can do to improve ourselves and to relax a little bit. I’m hoping it will be beneficial all the way around,” Eagan said.
The month is also split into smaller and more specific categories of high school activities. National Sportsmanship, Fan Appreciation and Public-Address Announcers Week is recognized during the first week of October, and allows students to honor the Blue Crew student fan section. Blue Crew attends a variety of athletic events, and this year they hope to make an appearance at football, basketball, volleyball, and hockey games. They are open to supporting other sports as well.
“Blue Crew is open to ALL students. Anyone is welcome to come to games to show their Cougar Pride,” Kayley Johnson, Blue Crew supervisor and teacher, said.
Celebrated during the last week of October is National Community Service/Youth Awareness Week, and during these days students can show appreciation for clubs and organizations that are dedicated towards community service. Students that are in National Honors Society contribute 40 hours of community and school service each year, which enhances their potential for leadership development and highlights their characteristics.
“One of the biggest benefits of NHS is for all types of the different experiences one learns through their volunteering. It isn’t just about learning certain skills then forgetting, but over time skills people can learn through their volunteering can help them better in the long run,” said NHS president, Ariel Robilas.