Valley Clubs and Activities

A Capella Reign
A Cappella Reign is Valley High School's a cappella men's group. Auditions are held in the fall. Performances include a winter show, a spring show, and a regional a cappella competition.

Advisor
Gregory Hudson
515-633-4044

Where do we meet?
Room 2351

Videos
- Rainbow Connection Quarantine A cappella, performed by Reign of West Des Moines Valley High School
- WDM Valley Reign - ICHSA 2018
ACE
Acoustics

Do you know how to play the guitar or ukulele? Even if you don't, we'd love to have you join The Acoustics where you and other stringed musicians will practice and perform on Friday mornings before school gracing the halls with beautiful music. We also have a monthly after school jam session.

Advisor
Larry Mandernach
515-633-4125

Where do we meet?
Counseling Office

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Art Club
Baker's Dozen (Mimes)

The Bakers Dozen is Valley's oldest club, founded in 1969 when a group of 13 kids met in a class. The troupe performs two shows per year, the Fall Nite of Mime and Spring Nite of Mime. The group also performs roadshows in our community and work with our elementary schools for their fine arts days.

Advisor
Ted Vandeventer

Where do we meet?
Advisor can communicate details.
President's house

When do we meet?
Sunday evenings

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Best Buddies
Mission
Best Buddies International is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, and inclusive living for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

Who We Serve
The IDD community that Best Buddies serves includes, but is not limited to, people with Down syndrome, autism, Fragile X, Williams syndrome, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury and other undiagnosed disabilities.

Programs
Best Buddies is the world’s largest organization dedicated to ending the social, physical and economic isolation of the 200 million people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Our programs empower the special abilities of people with IDD by helping them form meaningful friendships with their peers, secure successful jobs, live independently, improve public speaking, self-advocacy and communication skills, and feel valued by society.

Events
We have monthly breakfasts and Zoom! We also have metro events where we connect with other chapters throughout the metro. We participate in Best Buddies ball which is super similar to prom and one of our favorite events! We host our own huge metro event called Valleytines during February, last year we had an ice cream truck and 10 + businesses donate to a raffle, at this event you play carnival games and do crafts! If you have a buddy you will do activities outside of school like bowling, getting food, going on walks, and bonding over things you both like to do!

Advisor
Dennis Ferguson and Angela Martin

Where do we meet?
Room 1614

Follow us on social!
- Instagram: vhs_bestbuddies
- Twitter: BestBuddiesVHS
Cheerleading
Chem Club
Chess Club
Chinese Cultural Club

The Chinese Cultural Club seeks to integrate Chinese culture into our culturally-diverse community. Our goal is to promote the understanding of this culture and its traditions. The Chinese Club normally meets throughout the school year every Tuesday after school. Meetings will start in October.

Advisor
Jon Lin

Where do we meet?
Virtual meetings. Advisor can communicate details.

When do we meet?
Tuesdays after school
CORE: Community of Racial Equity

Community of Racial Equity (CORE) is an organization dedicated to racial justice in our communities and across the state. It is a statewide organization of which Valley is a chapter. we work with activists and racial equity leaders from across the state and host events to create racial equity in our neighborhood, school, and city.
If you are passionate about racial equity and want to work to make Iowa a better place, CORE is for you!

Advisor
Lindsey Aikin

Where do we meet?
Room 1318

When do we meet?
Thursdays after school
Dance Team
DECA

DECA is a Business Club that allows students to compete in events with students around the state and possibly the world if they qualify for Nationals. Students have many categories to choose from including: Marketing, Sales, Advertising, Business Law, Sports and Entertainment Marketing, Small Business Management, Entrepreneurship and Hospitality and Tourism. This club has conferences and events which allow you to connect with other students around the state.

Advisor
Travis Young

Where do we meet?
Virtual meetings. Advisor can communicate details.
Drama/School Play

Each year, Valley produces two full-length productions: a fall play and a spring musical. Opportunities exist for students to engage in acting, stage management, as well as technical crews. CAMP Crew students work on costumes, advertising, make-up and publicity. TECH Crew students engage in set, lighting, and sound construction. Auditions are open to all and auditions packets as well as crew sign ups can be obtained by contacting Ms. Hansen.

Advisor
Aaron Westrum

Where do we meet?
Room 1731

When do we meet?
Varies. Advisor can communicate details.

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Eco Club

Eco Club was developed to help raise awareness about different environmental issues facing the world today. This year we will do a different action every month to hopefully make Valley High School and the community the most eco-friendly it can be today. This year the education and actions will be centered around intersectionality within the enivronmental justice movement.

Advisor
Brant Reif

Where do we meet?
Virtual meetings or Room 3417. Advisor can communicate details.

When do we meet?
Wednesdays at 7:30 a.m.

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FCA

FCA stands for Fellowship of Christian Athletes, which is an international organization focusing on ministry towards athletes all over the world. FCA at Valley consists of “huddles” and "small groups" which are the names for our meetings, which occur approximately twice a month on Monday nights from 8 to 9 PM in the VHS cafeteria or North Gym.

Advisor
Jeremy Caracci

Where do we meet?
Advisor can communicate details.
VHS cafeteria or North gym

When do we meet?
Mondays twice a month at 8 p.m.

Sign up
FCCLA

FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of Iowa) is a club dedicated around our Family and Consumer Science classes. In this youth organization with family as its central focus, youth are empowered to address personal, work and societal issues through individual and chapter projects. Involvement in FCCLA offers members the opportunity to expand their leadership potential and develop skills for life necessary in the home and workplace such as planning, goal setting, problem solving, decision making and interpersonal communication.

FCCLA Iowa Chapter: https://www.iowafccla.org
FCCLA National Site: http://www.fcclainc.org/

Advisor
Carmen Clark
Kelli King
Courtney Mottet

Where do we meet?
Room 2425

When do we meet?
Second Friday of each month at 7:30 a.m.
Film Production Club

Film Production Club is a group of young filmmakers. Here you can come to learn the fundamentals of filmmaking including equipment, cinematography, editing, and more. We also organize film creations of many kinds. Any type of filmmaking (short films, sketches, informational videos, documentaries, TikToks, vlogs, etc.) can be enhanced and prepared here. This club also organizes youth film competitions open to all high school students.

Advisor
Tory DeVries

Where do we meet?
Room 2326

When do we meet?
Tuesdays at 3:30 p.m.
Friends Without Borders
Greenhouse Club

The Valley Greenhouse Club is determined to utilize the newly revitalized greenhouse area to educate students about the importance of agriculture and to inspire them to continue learning about agriculture past their career at Valley. In addition to teaching students the values of agriculture, the greenhouse club is dedicated to helping special education students learn essential life skills by providing hands-on learning to offer real-life experience in leadership, team building, critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills.

The Greenhouse Club plans to accomplish motivating students to take an interest in agriculture by providing students with opportunities to start seeds and manage the development of plants. Not only will this create interest in agriculture but allow students to learn basic aspects of horticulture. Contacting professionals that have jobs related to agriculture whether it be a greenhouse manager, a research scientist, or a farmer will also be imperative to spreading interest in agriculture. Through these activities, students will be given the chance to learn essential life skills. For example, as a way to learn the importance of service students might donate the produce that they grew to a local food shelter or donate flowers to teachers. The Greenhouse Club recognizes the importance of agriculture and the need for a club to offer them opportunities to learn about it while also engaging in fun activities that teach essential life skills to all students.

Advisor
Brant Reif

Where do we meet?
Valley Greenhouse
HOSA-Future Health Professionals

HOSA, "Health Occupations Students of America", is a nationally recognized educational healthcare organization. At a local level, HOSA encourages and fosters volunteer work in the medical field, and actively creates opportunities for member students to explore their interests in health careers by attending healthcare conferences. At the state and national level, HOSA acts as a competitive arena for students to contend in over 50 different areas all based in health care: such as medical spelling bees, biomedical debate, speech, writing, medical photography, presentation, drama, art/artistic interpretation, and many more!

We further act as an outlet for community involvement by sponsoring and organizing student-led volunteer/community projects. We are an exciting club that builds a body of students all with the same drive of success in medicine. There are no auditions or pre-requisites, but a registration fee is asked of members. Contact Mrs. Thompson for more information.

Advisor
Andrea Thompson

Where do we meet?
Room 1642

When do we meet?
Every other Tuesday after school
IHSSA Individuals Speech

The IHSSA Speech team students practice their public speaking skills through a variety of speaking styles. Students tryout and write/research/practice their performances each week before contests the end of February and first of March, with ALL STATE the end of March.

There are 14 events available to students for competition: Acting, Oratory, Radio, Poetry, Prose, Storytelling, Public Address, Lit Program, Spontaneous, Improv, After Dinner, Musical Theater, Expository, Review. We spend our time writing and practicing your event. This requires a small amount of time per week. The emphasis is on you and your development!

Advisor
Carol Engelmann

Where do we meet?
Room 1716

When do we meet?
Varies (December-March). Advisor will communicate details.

Sign up
IHSSA Large Group Speech

The Iowa High School Speech Association is home to over 25,000 Iowa students and several hundred right here at Valley! Large group categories include one act play, reader's theatre, choral reading, short film, television news, radio news, ensemble acting, musical theatre, group improvisational acting, solo mime, and group mime. Students audition for participation in up to two categories. Students perform for one judge at Districts. If the group receives a I rating, it moves to the ALL State competition where it is judged by three judges.

Valley has a very rich history of students being chosen to perform at the All-State Festival in Ames. In addition, Valley holds the state record for the most Critic's Choice as well as the E. Wayne Cooley Award for having the most entries at the All-State Festival. Stacy Hansen is the Large Group IHSSA Speech Director and can be reached at hansens@wdmcs.org or find her in the drama room. Please join us!

Advisor
Samantha Melz

Where do we meet?
Room 1731

When do we meet?
Varies. Advisor can communicate details.
Ink Literary Magazine

Ink publishes Valley's award-winning literary magazine, a collection of student writing and art. The staff of Ink Literary Magazine also manage C4, Valley's spoken word night. Held in the fall and spring semesters, C4 is an excellent opportunity to present original poetry and short prose, or listen to the voices of the next generation of writers and artists.

If you have a passion for writing, spoken word, editing, publishing, or art, reach out to Ms. Perry for more information.

Advisor
Haley Moehlis

Where do we meet?
Virtual meetings or Room 1313. Advisor can communicate details.

When do we meet?
Fridays at 7:30 a.m.
Interact Club

Want to volunteer and help the community?

Interact Club is an excellent opportunity!

Interact is a service club for teens who want to connect with other young people and have fun while serving their community and learning about the world. Our VHS Interact Club is sponsored by the West Des Moines Rotary Club and follow the ideals of Rotary International. There are over 12,300 Interact Clubs in 133 countries helping to improve the world around them. The club volunteers in the community every month. Past volunteer events include Meals from the Heartland, Night Eyes at Blank Park Zoo, snack packaging for local after school programs, Adopt a Family, and Furry Friends Animal Refuge.

Interact organizes two service projects every year, one that directly helps the school or community and another that promotes international understanding. These are in addition to monthly volunteer opportunities. Most volunteer efforts count toward Silver Cord hours.

If you enjoy hanging out with friends and doing community service projects, then come check out Interact Club!

Advisor
Shannon Johnson

Where do we meet?
Virtual meetings or Room 1321. Advisor can communicate details.

When do we meet?
Varies, twice a month. Advisor can communicate details.

Sign up
Intramurals

We offer a variety of team and individual sports opportunities for all students. Examples include: basketball, ping pong and bowling. Jon Williams coordinates the basketball intramural league along with his freshman C teams. The other activities are driven by student interest.

Advisor
Aziz Haffar
Jon Williams

Where do we meet?
Varies. Advisor can communicate details.

When do we meet?
Varies. Advisor can communicate details.
Key Club

Key Club is a nonprofit organization with an international service program whose mission is to complete community service projects to further develop our community. We have a great time together creating fun projects that count towards Silver Cord!

Advisor
Gabi Mauro

Where do we meet?
Virtual meetings or Room 1602. Advisor can communicate details.

When do we meet?
Wednesdays at 3 p.m.
Thursdays at 3:20 p.m.
Lumberjack Club
Math Team

Math team is a fun and competitive activity where students work together to succeed on contests such as the AMC 10/12. It is a great way to develop critical thinking skills and learn new types of math to a level unparalleled in the classroom.

Advisor

Clint Gentry

Where do we meet?
Advisor can communicate details.
Virtual meetings

When do we meet?
varies

Learn more >

Sign up >
Mock Trial
Model UN
Music Club
National Honor Society
The National Honor Society (NHS) elevates a school’s commitment to the values of scholarship, service, leadership, and character. These four pillars have been associated with membership in the organization since its inception in 1921. Learn more about these four pillars of membership here.

Today, it is estimated that more than one million students participate in NHS activities. NHS chapters are found in all 50 states, US Territories, Canada, and around the world. Chapter membership not only recognizes students for their accomplishments, but challenges them to develop further through active involvement in school activities and community service.

As such, NHS chapters and students are in schools that care not only about student achievement, but also community engagement.

NHS students and their peers volunteer in their communities at the highest rates and make connecting with and serving within the community a priority. The average chapter contributes:
- 1,000 hours of school/community service
- $26,000 in charitable donations
- 1,000 pounds of food to local, state, and national causes
- 100 pints of blood
National Honor Society has an application process which occurs in the spring.

Advisor
Jana Edwards

Where do we meet?
Room 1630

When do we meet?
Tuesdays or Wednesdays after school. Advisor can communicate details.
POSSAIE (Valley Step Club)
Prayer Club
RISE (Refugee and Immigrant Student Embassy)

The mission of the RISE program is to ensure Valley is welcoming to all students. RISE members are multilingual student leaders who are matched with a student who is new to the country and shares hobbies and at least one common language.

This program will also give multilingual students opportunities to practice leadership, advocacy, and community organizing skills. We meet weekly to mentor students new to the country and also participate in activities outside of school for relationship and community building.

Advisor
Gianna Pugliese

Where do we meet?
Room 1634

When do we meet?
during Thursday Encore
Robotics

The Ultimate Sport for the Mind

Under strict rules and limited time and resources, teams of high school students are challenged to build industrial-size robots to play a difficult field game in alliance with other teams, while also fundraising to meet their goals, designing a team “brand,” and advancing respect and appreciation for STEM within the local community.

Members of our team have gone on to Iowa State, Iowa, Purdue, South Dakota State, Worchester Poly Institute, Rochester Institute of Technology, and many more with 1000's of Dollars in scholarship money.

We get the opportunity to travel all over the country competing. We have competed from Duluth, Mn to New Orleans, LA. We are the traveling team of Central Iowa Robotics.

Advisor
Dean Lange

Where do we meet?
Valley Engineering Lab #1714

Learn more
Rock Climbing Club
Science Bowl

The Iowa Regional High School Science Bowl is an opportunity for Iowa's top science and math students to face-off in an intense question and answer format that tests student's knowledge in a range of science disciplines including biology, chemistry, Earth and space science, physics, energy and math.

Advisor
Kathy McGrane

Where do we meet?
Room 3433

When do we meet?
Thursdays at 3:30 p.m.
Skills USA

Skills USA is an organization devoted to helping students prepare for careers in trade, technical and skilled service occupations.

Students enjoy working on events that involve the hands-on building of projects. The projects help them build real-world skill in their area of interest.

Advisor
David Schubert
David Myrick

Where do we meet?
Room 1701/1710

When do we meet?
Varies. Advisor can communicate details.
SURJ (Showing Up for Racial Justice)

Showing Up for Racial Justice is a national network of groups and individuals working to undermine white supremacy and to work toward racial justice. Through community organizing, mobilizing, and education, SURJ moves white people to act as part of a multi-racial majority for justice with passion and accountability. SURJ works to connect people across the country while supporting and collaborating with local and national racial justice organizing efforts. SURJ provides a space to build relationships, skills and political analysis to act for change.

SURJ-VHS is the first high school chapter in the U.S. and works to further the understanding of racial issues with students and organize action within the district and community. Last year we led a staff and student book discussion group around Oluo's So You Want to Talk About Race. We also discuss topics concerning oppressive experiences and policies within the district and more generalized topics such as calling in (as opposed to calling out) peers or family members when they say something racist, understanding white privilege, the formation of race in U.S. history, validating the experiences of people of color, being an accomplice in racial justice movements, writing letters to editors or legislators, and interrupting white supremacy in our school.

Advisor
Brant Reif

Where do we meet?
Room 3417

When do we meet?
Thursdays
Tiger Archery
Tiger Lacrosse
Tigerlillies Synchronized Swimming
World Cultures Club

Join and gather to learn more about cultures! A space to learn and interact with different cultures and holidays celebrated by Valley students!

World Cultures Club hosts International Night, an annual event that celebrates and shares the cultures of Valley students and their families.

Advisor
Brant Reif

Where do we meet?
Room 1313

When do we meet?
Wednesdays at 2:45 p.m.
Young Feminists
Young Republicans

Questions about your club?

Contact the advisor.

Interested in starting a club?

Complete Club Request Form

Last Modified on December 7, 2022

Valley Clubs and Activities

A Capella Reign

ACE

Acoustics

Art Club

Baker's Dozen (Mimes)

Best Buddies

Cheerleading

Chem Club

Chess Club

Chinese Cultural Club

CORE: Community of Racial Equity

Dance Team

DECA

Drama/School Play

Eco Club

FCA

FCCLA

Film Production Club

Friends Without Borders

Greenhouse Club

HOSA-Future Health Professionals

IHSSA Individuals Speech

IHSSA Large Group Speech

Ink Literary Magazine

Interact Club

Intramurals

Key Club

Lumberjack Club

Math Team

Mock Trial

Model UN

Music Club

National Honor Society

POSSAIE (Valley Step Club)

Prayer Club

RISE (Refugee and Immigrant Student Embassy)

Robotics

Rock Climbing Club

Science Bowl

Skills USA

SURJ (Showing Up for Racial Justice)

Tiger Archery

Tiger Lacrosse

Tigerlillies Synchronized Swimming

World Cultures Club

Young Feminists

Young Republicans

Questions about your club?

Interested in starting a club?