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Programs Offered
The activities programs are an integral part of the educational programming offered by the Knoxville Community School District. The program strives to promote habits, attitudes and ideals necessary for ethical competition and cooperation. Self-discipline, self-respect, and a genuine respect for others are the cornerstones of our athletic programs.
The primary goal of the activities department is for our students to achieve success and develop skills they need to be successful in the future of an ever-changing world. Extra-curricular activities are an excellent platform to develop 21st Century Skills in our students.
Quality athletic programs enhance the educational experience of our students. Teaching our students the necessary skills within a nurturing environment will assist them in becoming contributing members in their respective activities, their school, and their community.
Football (7-12)
Cross Country (7-12)
Volleyball (7-12)
Girls Swimming (9-12)
Cheerleading (9-12) [Football]
Dance (9-12)
►Fall Sports Information-High School
Basketball (7-12)
Wrestling (7-12)
Bowling (7-12)
Boys Swimming (9-12)
Cheerleading (9-12) [Basketball and Wrestling]
Dance (9-12)
►Winter Sports Information--Information Coming Soon
Track (7-12)
Golf (9-12)
Tennis (9-12)
Soccer (9-12)
►Spring Sports Information--Information Coming Soon
Baseball (7-12)
Softball (7-12)
►Summer Sports Information--Information Coming Soon
At KCSD, we are proud to offer several music and art extra-curricular activities for students to take part in. Our programs offer students the opportunity to expand their horizons, sharpen their skills, make new friends, and more.
- Chamber Choir
- Concert Choir
- Drama
- Color Guard
- Drumline
- Marching Band
- Concert Band
- Jazz Band
- Pep Band
KHS Drama Sponsor: Mrs. Feldman
Drama Club provides opportunities for students to participate in all aspects of theatre. Acting, Dancing, Singing, Technical, Design and Management. Each year the club produces one spring musical and hopes to be able to grow to produce a smaller fall production of some sort and provide masterclasses and other performance education to students who have a desire to pursue a career or hobby in theatre. Activities include:
-Spring Musical Monthly Prep Class (September-November)
-Spring Musical Auditions (November)
-Spring Musical Rehearsals (January-February)
-Spring Musical Performances (March)
KHS Drum Line Sponsor: Clayton Hunn
We are proud to offer several clubs and organizations for students to take part in. We believe that by offering these groups, we are giving students the opportunity to expand their horizons, sharpen their skills, make new friends, and more.
KHS Clubs & Organizations
- Art Club
- Camera Club
- Debate
- E-Sports
- FCCLA
- FFA
- GSA
- Mock Trial
- NHS
- Science Club
- Spanish Club
- Special Olympics
- Speech
- Student Senate
- Trapshooting
- Yearbook
Art Club Sponsor: Mrs. Hudson
The Art Club is open to all students and is an opportunity for students to get together and discuss, work on, and build on their artistic skills. This club gives students the chance to learn from one another and explore multiple facets of artistic expression.
Camera Club Sponsor: Mr. DeBower
Students explore the realm of photography that cannot be covered in class. Members receive a variety of photography opportunities such as of middle school teams and at various high school games. The final experience for many students is to have their work entered into photography exhibits.
Debate Sponsor: Mr. Jehn
Knoxville Debate focuses on policy and public forum debate within the Central Iowa Debate League in which we weigh the benefits against the harms of creating change or maintaining the status quo in a wide field of contemporary issues relevant to the United States as a nation. Activities include:
-Biweekly meetings and practices
-Hosting one debate meeting per season
-Weekly debate meets in October through November
-Championship Banquet rounds
E-Sports Club Advisor: Mr. Moats
The Esports Club allows all students the opportunity to compete in organized scrimmages, tournaments, and leagues through video games. Members will compete as a team to develop and improve their skills in whichever games they choose to compete in. As the popularity of esports continues to grow so do the scholarship opportunities and the colleges looking to recruit players. As a member of the Esports Club you have the opportunity to receive local and national recognition for your achievements in games. Members are encouraged to attend in person meetings, log practice hours, and attend matches during the seasons they choose. Esports has 4 seasons: Fall Major, Winter Open, Spring Major, and Summer Open.
Family, Community & Career Leaders of America (FCCLA) Sponsor: Ms. Bolton
The FCCLA Chapter is open to all high school students. Members work together on a variety of projects including working with children, nutrition, and career exploration. Members also participate with other school districts in district and state activities.
FFA Supervisor: Ms. Johnston
All students enrolled in an Agricultural Science class are FFA members. Students choose the outside class activities they wish to participate as their time allows. FFA strives to develop students' potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success. Activities include:
-Monthly meetings
-Feed the Farmer Day (October)
-Nana Jana Fun Run (September)
-Contests (throughout the year)
-Livestock judging (September)
-National Convention (Oct)
-State Convention (April)
-2nd grade PALS (monthly)
-Elementary Farm Day (May)
-County Fair (July)
-State Fair (August)
-Meals From the Heartland (Spring)
-Salvation Army Bell Ringing (December)
-Blood Drive (November and April)
Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) Sponsor: Mr. Jehn
GSA is a club where students learn about different identities and topics within the LGBTQ+ spectrum. In addition to weekly meetings, members of the GSA have the opportunity to attend events presented by Iowa Safe Schools in Des Moines. All students are welcome to join. Activities include:
-Meetings (Weekly)
-Student Day at the Capitol (January)
-Governor's Conference (April)
Mock Trial Sponsor: Mrs. Hermsen
Students take on roles of attorneys and witnesses to perform an imitation trial. Students acquire a working knowledge of our judicial system, develop analytical abilities and communication skills, and gain an understanding of their obligations and responsibilities as participating members of our society. Activities include:
-Practice (Twice a week January-March)
-Regional Mock Trial (mid March)
-State Mock Trial (end of March)
National Honor Society Director: Mr. Heston
The Knoxville High School Chapter of The National Honor Society exists as the highest honor that the KHS faculty can bestow upon students who show exemplary levels of scholarship, leadership, service, and character. NHS students serve as student ambassadors and participate in various volunteer activities throughout the school year. Activities include:
-Meetings (5 times a year)
-Induction Ceremony (November)
-Salvation Army Bell Ringing (December)
-Fundraising for Coaches vs. Cancer (January)
-Tour guides for 8th grade orientation (March/April)
-Assistants for Scholarship Night (May)
-Student Leaders for Youth Frontiers (September)
Science Club Sponsor: Mr. Richardson
Science Club is open to all students. The purpose of Science Club is to provide members with additional opportunities for exploration in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) that are not available in classroom space or time not available in the classroom. Older members are eligible for trips in the fall and in the summer. Science Club enjoys responding to student requests for topics including: college visits, employer tours, visit the Science Center of Iowa for special exhibits or IMAX films, lab nights with specific themes (projectiles, flames, foam, or 'how does that work?') These may happen any time of year. Activities include:
-Lab night @ KHS, foam/flames/fog? Parents are invited (September)
-Fall Trip to 1 of Chicago / St. Louis / Minneapolis (October)
-Harvest, Raise, Decorate the Christmas Tree in KHS Commons (December)
-Fundraising and planning for summer trips (January)
-Canoe or Kayak training & fun @ Knoxville Rec Center (March)
-Summer Trip: Typical is 10 days, 3-8 states traveled, camping and lots of outdoor activities. This is the most well-remembered of our activities. (June)
Spanish Club Sponsor: Mrs. Lee
Spanish Club is open to all students, even ones who do not speak Spanish or who are not enrolled in a Spanish class. Members will explore the Spanish culture, language, and cuisine. We will celebrate Spanish holidays, play games, and participate in trivia. Our goal is to learn and have fun.
Special Olympics Advisor: Mrs. Ritchhart
Special Olympics works with students with disabilities to help them stay active, maintain relationships with peers, and to network with others. Students age 8 and up are eligible to compete in Special Olympics events. KCSD started our Special Olympics team in 2019, and competes in three events each year. If an athlete wins their event at the regional competition, they advance to a state competition. We also work to participate in Unified Sports events, where students with disabilities participate in activities alongside their non-disabled peers.
-Regional bowling competition takes place in October, with the state bowling tournament occurring in November.
-Regional basketball skills competition takes place in January, with the Mid-Winter Tournament occurring in March.
-Regional track and field competitions take place in April, with the Summer Games competition occurring in May.
Speech Sponsor: Mr. Jehn
Knoxville Speech participates in the Iowa High School Speech Association in both Large Group and Individual Events. Speech provides students with opportunities for performance in a variety of categories which include acting, musical, original oratories, extemporaneous speech, the reading of poetry and prose, and expository addresses. Activities include:
-South Central Conference IE Speech
-IHSSA District Speech (Large Group and IE)
-IHSSA State Speech - upon qualification (Large Group and IE)
-IHSSA All-State - upon qualification (Large Group and IE)
Student Senate Co-Sponsors: Mr. Gibbons and Mrs. McWilliams
Student Senate is a government organization that is elected by the student body. Student Senate is responsible for organizing activities, to address issues from the student body and to help fundraise for various projects/goals/school improvement. Activities include:
-Homecoming and activities (September/October)
-Winter Formal (December)
-Food Drives (October/December)
-Steal Your Heart (February)
-Steal Your Luck (March)
-Spring Fundraiser (Varies)
-Meetings (weekly to monthly, dependent on time of year)
Trapshooting Sponsors: Mr. Hardman and Mr. Shives
The purpose of the shooting team is to shoot trap, skeet and sporting clays with the emphasis on proper gun handling and safety. Trapshooting is a school recognized activity that is not sanctioned by the IAHSAA or IGHSAU. Students in trapshooting are subject to the district code of conduct and state mandated scholarship rule. Activities include:
-Practice (March-June)
-Competitions (April)
-State Trap Meet (June),
-Skeet and Sporting Clays (June)
Yearbook Sponsor: Mrs. Fleming
Yearbook develops, creates, and markets the annual yearbook. This includes selling advertising space to local businesses. Yearbook meets as a regular class, but students are expected to regularly attend other school functions for the purpose of coverage.
KMS Clubs & Organizations
Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) Sponsor: Mr. Jehn
GSA is a club where students learn about different identities and topics within the LGBTQ+ spectrum. In addition to weekly meetings, members of the GSA have the opportunity to attend events presented by Iowa Safe Schools in Des Moines. All students are welcome to join. Activities include:
-Meetings (Weekly)
-Student Day at the Capitol (January)
-Governor's Conference (April)
Mock Trial Sponsor: Mrs. Hermsen
Students take on roles of attorneys and witnesses to perform an imitation trial. Students acquire a working knowledge of our judicial system, develop analytical abilities and communication skills, and gain an understanding of their obligations and responsibilities as participating members of our society. Activities include:
-Practice (Twice a week January-March)
-Regional Mock Trial (mid March)
-State Mock Trial (end of March)
Special Olympics Advisor: Mrs.Ritchhart
Special Olympics works with students with disabilities to help them stay active, maintain relationships with peers, and to network with others. Students age 8 and up are eligible to compete in Special Olympics events. KCSD started our Special Olympics team in 2019, and competes in three events each year. If an athlete wins their event at the regional competition, they advance to a state competition. We also work to participate in Unified Sports events, where students with disabilities participate in activities alongside their non-disabled peers.
-Regional bowling competition takes place in October, with the state bowling tournament occurring in November.
-Regional basketball skills competition takes place in January, with the Mid-Winter Tournament occurring in March.
-Regional track and field competitions take place in April, with the Summer Games competition occurring in May.
Student Council Sponsor: Mrs. Hermsen
Student Council is a government organization that is elected by the student body. Student Council members are responsible for organizing student activities throughout the year.
Yearbook Sponsor: Ms. Price
Yearbook develops, creates, and markets the annual yearbook.
The Activities Minute is in every edition of the Panther Press and is intended to keep fans informed of all happenings in Panther Nation.
