Hobby or Interest Related Organizations

A.C.E. (Athletes Committed to Excellence) – A.C.E. is a group for student athletes with common values and goals.  Their purpose is to enhance the spirit of athletes at Hinsdale South and remain leaders within the athletic community.  Among their many activities, A.C.E. sponsors two Drive-in Movie nights throughout the year, participates in the HSHS Annual Food Drive, Darien Dash, A.C.E. Olympics, and also hosts the Mr. Hinsdale South competition.  A.C.E. members are also actively involved within community activities such as assisting Special Olympic games and meets.

A.F.S. - The AFS International Exchange Club provides scholarships for students to live abroad for a summer. The Club also supports students from foreign countries to attend Hinsdale South. Through AFS, students have an opportunity to meet and make friends with students from foreign countries.

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL - Students and faculty at South unite with high schools across the U.S. in a world-wide movement to protect the human rights of people. Members learn of human rights violations around the world and campaign to raise public awareness.

COSMOPOLITAN CLUB - "Cosmopolitan" means being familiar with many ethnic/cultural situations. The club meets to share customs and ideas from the many cultures that are represented at Hinsdale South. We plan activities such as evenings devoted to a specific nationality and trips to ethnic restaurants. The spring Ethnic Fair invites the community to join in celebrating our diversity.

DEAF DRAMA – Deaf Drama offers the opportunity for Deaf/Hard of Hearing students interested in theater to explore their talents.  Productions are presented in the tradition of the National Theater of the Deaf – every line is signed in ASL and voice-interpreted.  As well as developing acting skills, students learn the techniques of “shadow signing”.  The club presents a children’s show in December and a major production in April featuring deaf actors.

DIVERSITY - This is an organization to develop awareness of individual and group differences and to combat prejudice and stereotype. Operation Snowball - Snowball is a primary prevention program planned and implemented by students. One of the major activities of this group is a weekend retreat held in November. Snowball helps teens build their self esteem by accepting themselves for who they are and not what others want them to be.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS - Members meet to discuss various global and local environmental issues. Students are made aware of opportunities for involvement in school and community environmental issues. 

FLAGLINE - The Flagline is composed of a select group of students who work with the Hornet Marching Band. The Line marches with the band at all home football games, in marching competition and in parades. Membership is attained through tryouts held in the Spring of each year.

GUITAR CLUB - The Guitar Club provides guitar instruction in different musical areas to students with little or no formal music background. Members develop an appreciation of popular and other forms of music and develop the motivation to master selected songs for the enjoyment of other members. Techniques, tricks, solo styles, and sheet music are shared among members. Students have opportunities to perform at school activities like Hornetfest, the Variety Show, and the Battle of the Bands.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY - This club is affiliated with the DuPage Habitat for Humanity and focuses on advocacy to prevent the homeless condition, fund raisers and work with the local and national organization behind the scenes and on DuPage county Habitat home construction sites.

HOMECOMING COMMITTEE – One of the most exciting and certainly most colorful times of the year is Homecoming, and this committee makes it happen.  Planning of the theme and decorations begins in the spring.  When the new school year begins, final plans are made and executed, from Spirit Days to dance details.  All grade levels are encouraged to participate.

INVESTMENT CLUB – Members learn about investing, investment strategies and the stock and bond markets.  Members will compete in an investment competition and the group will manage $50,000 in a real brokerage account.  After-tax profits will be donated to local charities selected by the group

JUNIOR I.A.D. - Junior Illinois Association of the Deaf is affiliated with I.A.D., which is a state organization for deaf and hard-of-hearing adults. At Hinsdale South, the club is designed to facilitate the growth of leadership, scholarship and citizenship in its members. The club provides numerous social and service activities and is open to all hearing impaired students. Hearing students may also be members, but not hold an office.

KEY CLUB - Key Club is the world's largest high school service organization sponsored by the community's Kiwanis Club. Key Club has regular service projects to help the school and community. Key Club also provides numerous opportunities to meet members from other schools on a local, state, and international level.

P.E.P. (Peers Encouraging Peers) - P.E.P. provides regular education students the opportunity to develop friendships with students with multiple disabilities. Monthly activities include a movie party, a picnic in the fall, bowling, Enchanted Castle, indoor games day, and a lunch for administration and board in December.

PEER LEADERSHIP NETWORK - The Peer Leadership Network is a leadership program open to all students. It is an organization designed to help students develop leadership skills acquired through participation in awareness programs and other training activities. Peer Leaders meet with Junior High students in the Spring and assist incoming Freshmen in the Fall to help them make a positive transition to high school. Peer Leaders sponsor the annual Giving Tree gift collection for needy families.

PHOTOGRAPHY CLUB – For all students interested in photography, this club gives members an opportunity to participate in projects such as photo collages and various darkroom experiments.  Other opportunities that are available to members are to go on field trips, see demonstrations and hear guest speakers.  Bi-monthly meeting are held to allow students access to the photo facilities.

RADIO - WHSD is the Hinsdale South radio station. Broadcasting at 88.5 FM, WHSD provides students with the opportunity to learn all the activities associated with radio and radio production. WHSD can be heard by the entire District 86 community and is one of the activities which promotes cooperation and teamwork between the district's two high schools. A brand new broadcasting studio has been constructed at South, opening in May, 2001. Students wishing to participate as disc jockeys must complete a series of assignments designed to prepare them to go on the air. There are other production, promotion, sports announcing and news collection opportunities as well.

SADD (Students against Destructive Decisions) – SADD is an organization that serves as an advocate for students to make healthy decisions.  SADD was formerly Students against Drunk Driving.  Throughout the year, the club will provide activities and programs that address this important issue.

S.A.V.E. - Students Against Violence Everywhere was introduced after the death of one of our students. S.A.V.E. is for students who want to try and make a difference. Our goal is to educate people, promote awareness, and provide support in order to help everyone avoid violence.

STUDENT COUNCIL – Student Council brings the student voice into full participation with administration decisions.  The members attend various conventions and conferences throughout the year in order to learn about leadership skills and the activities at other schools.  The Student Council sponsors a Haunted House for Hodgkin's, two blood drives, and annual Variety Show, a holiday charity drive, and various other events during the school year.  The council consists of ten representatives elected from each class in the fall and six officers elected by the whole school in the spring.