The Assistant Chaplains program consists of a number of dedicated seniors who provide spiritual leadership and service to our school community. Under the direction of the school chaplain, they lead the school in prayer, facilitate religious and spiritual activites, and work to enhance and bolster the Catholic identity of St. Mary's Central High School.
Art Club is a community where students can explore their creativity and faith. We welcome artists of all levels, from beginners to seasoned painters, to delve into new artistic techniques and media. Our club goes beyond the typical art class curriculum, offering a space to experiment and develop your skills. Art Club also uses its talents to give back. We often work on service projects that uplift and inspire others, putting our artistic skills to good use for the community.
Book Club delves into adventures, mysteries, true-life tales, and even some classic favorites. Students even get to choose some of the books we discuss! Our club also welcomes stories that connect with our Catholic faith. Whether it's a biography of a saint or a book that explores questions about faith and life, we enjoy discussing how these themes are woven into the narrative. Book club meetings are a great chance to chat about the characters, plot twists, and the deeper meanings you discover in the stories. It's also a fantastic way to meet new friends who share your love of reading!
Each year SMCHS performs two plays. The fall play is a full two act play. Every student who auditions is guaranteed a part in the fall play. Some parts may be non-speaking but if a student wants to perform on stage they will be allowed to perform in the fall play. The spring play is performed at the school and also takes part in the NDHSAA Class A play festival. The cast of the spring play will be limited by the restraints of the script.
SMCHS Gamer Club meets once a week to celebrate what we are passionate about, friendly competition in the form of games. Whether it is board games or video games, gaming builds community and fosters logical thinking. Gamer club is about meeting and hanging out with like-minded people, who share a love of games.
The National Honor Society (NHS) is the nation’s premier organization established to recognize outstanding high school students. More than just an honor roll, NHS serves to recognize those students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of scholarship, service, leadership, and character. Students are invited to join NHS in the spring semester of their sophomore, junior and senior years. Students must meet the GPA requirements of a 3.65 GPA and meet the National Honor Society's pillars.
The Messenger is a monthly newspaper produced by the students for the students of St. Mary's Central High School. Students meet monthly to discuss and assign articles and photos and work with senior editors to edit articles. The newspaper is published both in print and in a digital format. The Messenger is open to students in grades 9-12.
Yearbook is a club that creates and designs our school's yearbook. Members attend school events throughout the year to capture pictures that demonstrate St. Mary Central High School's culture and spirit. Yearbook provides students with a hands on experience of photography and graphic design as they work together to create a sellable end product.
The Leo Lions, which is a student branch of the Lions Club International, is a service club open to students in grades 9-12. Students meet to plan a variety of activities each semester including helping with the Designer Genes Buddy Walk, making tie-blankets for residents of a nursing home, and hosting a pancake breakfast to raise money for the St. Gianna Maternity Home.
Science Club is an opportunity for those students who would love to explore the world of Science. Meetings are held through-out the year to discuss topics in Science relating to our world. Students plan science related activities that include attending scientific movies, recycling, Earth Day Activities, and more.
SMCHS is known in the west region and the state for its consistent success and tremendous amount of student participation. Speech competitions consist of 14 individual events. This variety means that there is an event for every student regardless of their experience or skill level. The program is headed by Kelly Timmerman.
Student Congress is open to students in grades 7-12. It is a competition based on mock legislative debate, where students debate legislation introduced at the tournament using parliamentary procedure. The season for Student Congress is September-November.
Science Olympiad is a science competition for students who want to expand their knowledge in the Sciences. It consists of 23 team events involving the following: genetics, earth science, chemistry, anatomy, physics, geology, mechanical engineering and technology. Students prepare for their events and then compete with students from other schools at the Regional level, but then can have the possibility of competing on the State or even the National level.
The Knights of Virtue focuses on how young men can live virtuous lives and grow in holiness, using Christ and his many saints as exemplars. The study of the virtuous life is based in Scripture along with the writings and teachings of experts in the field of masculine spirituality. The group participates in a variety of activities including: watching movies that exhibit virtue, volunteering, camping trips, retreats, and sporting events.
Catholic Athletes for Christ is a Christ-centered group using the Catholic perspective of exercise and sports to assist athletes and non-athletes grow in holiness and build Christ-like relationships. We will accomplish this through reading and reflecting on Sacred Scripture, reading about the lives of Catholic saints and popes associated with sports, listening to various speakers, praying for athletes and coaches participating in weekly athletic events, and taking part in group activities that may include a night outside experiencing the reality of hunger and homelessness.
Vera Forma is a group of young women dedicated to understanding beauty and womanhood in the midst of our modern world. What does it mean to be beautiful, and what does it mean to be a woman? Taking our examples and discussions from scripture, the lives of the saints, and various noted authors, we will explore the importance of the virtues, the nature of the female person, our relation to our neighbors, and most importantly our relationship with God. Activities include volunteering, watching virtuous movies, praying for the intentions of our Holy Father and gathering around for coffee to grow in friendship.
SADD stands for Students Against Destructive Decisions. Its mission is to empower students to successfully confront the risks and pressures that challenge them throughout their daily lives. The St. Mary's Central High School SADD chapter sponsors campaigns throughout the school year that empower, bring awareness to risks & consequences, promotes healthy fun and supports the mission of the national SADD organization. St. Mary's Central High School SADD also supports the Bismarck-Burleigh Public Health's School Tobacco Prevention activities.
Student Council is based four pillars: Leadership, Student Voice, Excellence and Service. Student Council is a student run organization and its members take pride in being recognized as the student leaders of St. Mary’s Central High School. Student Council takes part in many events throughout the school year, including: Homecoming Week, a Winter Gear Drive, State Student Council, Holy Hoops, Spring Week, and Teacher Appreciation Week.
Saints for Life is our Pro-Life organization. This group will focus on learning about the most prominent social issues of our time regarding the sactity of life. We will join leaders in the community to help bring about a culture of life through numerous activietis including: The March for Life pilgrimage to Washington D.C., visiting North Dakota's only abortion clinic in Fargo, attending public rallies in our area, assisting organizations such as the First Choice Clinic in Bismarck and North Dakota Right to Life, watching films that celebrate life, and planning activities that educate and impact our school.
Join our energetic Spanish Club and immerse yourself in this vibrant world! We welcome students of all levels, from complete beginners saying their first "Hola" to those already comfortable with conversation. Our club provides a fun and supportive environment where you can boost your Spanish skills through engaging activities, expand your vocabulary, gain confidence speaking the language, and develop a deeper understanding of Spanish grammar. We will explore Hispanic cultures and delve into the rich traditions, captivating music, and delicious food that define Spanish-speaking countries. You will have the opportunity to make new friends who share your love for the language and build lasting friendships. Forget dry textbooks! Our Spanish Club brings the excitement of Spanish language and culture to life with movie nights, interactive game days, and even cultural celebrations. It's the perfect way to learn Spanish, have a blast, and make new friends along the way.
The FBLA-PBL Mission is to bring business and education together in a positive working relationship through innovative leadership and career development programs. Students have an opportunity to grow through fundraising, fellowship, volunteerism, and by competing in statewide business leadership events for scholarships and personal growth.