Extracurricular Activities

Enriching extracurricular programs are an important part of high school life. Luther East programs encourage teamwork, fellowship, and reinforce solid values in our young adults. Students are welcome to participate in any program that interests them as long as they maintain good academic standing.  In addition, students are required to volunteer their time in service to their families, churches, schools and communities.

Extracurricular activities include the following:

     Ambassadors                        Scholastic Competitions
     Drama Club                            Science Club
     Game                               Spanish Club
     Music                               Student Council
     National Honor Society       Student Newspaper
     Prayer Group                    Yearbook
               

Drama Club

Scene from "Murder by Dessert," the 2009 fall play

Luther East usually offers two drama productions per school year.  The goal is to gain an understanding of the theatre through the creation of a full-scale production through acting, directing, stage building, lighting, sound, costuming, prop work, and many other areas.  On-stage duties are earned through auditions, but no experience is necessary to fill any of these positions.

Game Club

Game Club is open to all students interested in board games (chess, checkers, Monopoly, etc.) or video games.  It gives students a place to go where they are accepted regardless of skill level.  They can and do learn abut higher level thinking in areas of planning and strategy as they interact within their peer groups.

Music

                           Eagle Choir singing at Zion-Matteson

In addition to the Band and Concert Choir included in the music curriculum, there is one extra-curricular music group: Eagle Choir.  The Eagle Choir is an audition-only small group vocal ensemble that combines advanced vocal techniques and dance.  Musical styles vary but include Vocal Jazz, Broadway, Standards and Classics.  Eagle Choir performs throughout the year in the community at events that vary each year.

Each year, Luther East sends instrumentalists and vocalists to the IHSA Solo & Ensemble competition.  In our district, Luther East, the only Class D school, holds its own against Class A and AA schools in the area. 

Luther East is a registered chapter of the National Honor Society.  Sophomores, juniors and seniors are eligible for induction.  Students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.25 to be considered for membership.  In addition to academic excellence, potential members will be considered on the basis of their service, leadership, and character.  Continued membership is maintained only through active participation in the Eagle chapter.

Prayer Group

A group of Luther East students and teachers, with one faculty member as sponsor, gathers voluntarily for Christian prayer two times a week.  Prayers are informal, from the heart, and in each person's own words.  All of them go to God, our Father, in Jesus' name.

Scholastic Competitions

Two opportunities occur each year for Luther East students to compete with other schools in scholastic competitions.  The Scholastic Bowl features competition in a variety of areas among the schools in our athletic conference.  The Math/Science Bowl, at Concordia University-River Forest, highlights the academic competition of area Lutheran high schools in mathematic and scientific disciplines.

Student Council

Student Council members are elected by the student body.  These student leaders address many issues concerning the school and the interests of the student body.  First, they lead by Christian example, including the leadership of daily prayer during the lunch period.  They mediate concerns of the student body to the administration, and organize many student body functions  including all dances (except Prom), senior privileges, pep rallies, dress-down days, and prayer breakfast at the flagpole.

Also, the Student Council leads the student body in charitable works for our school, our local community, and the global community.  This is mainly accomplished by the use of fundraisers or special donation drives for such organizations as Passion International, St. Jude's Hospital, LifeSource, TerraCycle, Chicago Food Pantry, Toys for Tots, and Luther East special projects.

Student Newspaper

Luther East students are encouraged to participate in publishing a monthly newspaper called Footprints. The paper uses students for reporters and writers as well as word processing. A journalism class is established for this purpose, but other students interested in editorial positions should contact the faculty advisor, Mrs. Kopischke.

Click HERE for an excerpt of Footprints.

Yearbook

The Aerie, Luther East's yearbook, is distributed after the end of each school year in order to include spring activities. The yearbook staff, which works throughout the year, includes editors, writers, photographers, layout artists, ad solicitors, and other interesting positions. Working on the yearbook offers an excellent opportunity to develop creative skills. Once again, a journalism class is established for this purpose, but other students interested in editorial positions should contact the faculty adviser, Mrs. Kopischke.