Assistant Chaplains

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

Drama Club 

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. 

Gamer Club

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.

National Honor Society

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

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

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. 

Leo Lions

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

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.

Speech Team

In 2002 the SMCHS speech team began a run that is currently unequaled in western North Dakota. For each of the past 10 years SMCHS has either won or placed second in the WDA speech competition. For the past 9 years SMCHS has taken home a trophy from the state competition. St. Mary’s is the only school that has placed consistently at the state competition. In this time frame SMCHS placed 4th twice, 3rd once,  2nd five times and in 2011 captured their first state title since 1996. In 2014 they won their 4th state title. They have won every year since 2011.

Speech competition consists 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 Rhonda Burckhard.

Student Congress

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

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.

Knights of Virtue

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

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 

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. 

Students Against Destructive Decisions

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

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

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. 

Poetry Out Loud

"Poetry Out Loud is a national recitation program conducted by the National Endowment for the Arts, the Poetry Foundation, and state arts agencies in all fifty states. Poetry Out Loud (POL) builds on the recent resurgence of poetry as an oral art form, as demonstrated by the slam poetry movement among our youth. By incorporating memorization and performance in the classroom, POL sets the stage for students to deepen their understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and the nuances of word meanings. In addition, students learn about great poetry, explore their literary heritage, and gain confidence in public-speaking skills." (www.ndpol.com)

Freshmen and sophomores experience POL within the English 9 and English 10 curricula; however, all SMCHS students are encouraged to participate. The winner of our school competition (late January) advances to the state competition (late February).

Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA)

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.