Honor Roll
Recognizes those students who excel academically and represent the Howard 8th Grade Center in a positive manner.  


National Junior Honor Society
Membership to the NJHS is both an honor and a responsibility. Members must maintain a 90 grade point average with no grade lower than a B. In addition, the constitution expects members to attend meetings if called for, and to perform individual and chapter service projects during the year. Selection to NJHS is a privilege not a right. Students do not apply for membership in the NJHS; instead they provide information to be used by the local selection committee to support their candidacy for membership. Membership is granted only to those students selected by the Faculty Council in each school. This is not an election, nor is membership automatically conveyed simply because a student has achieved a specified level of academic performance. NJHS is more that an honor roll. The Waxahachie chapter emphasizes the importance of leadership, service, citizenship, and character. All of those will be carefully evaluated during the selection process.
Sponsor: Theresa Timms and JW Tabor


Washington Warriors
Washington Warriors is a group of students who travel to Washington D.C. and New York every summer. The trip dates are June 2009. In our nation's capital, we visit the national monuments, the Smithsonian Museums, the Capitol Building, Supreme Court Building, Library of Congress, Washington Monument and the Archives. In addition, we will be attending an interactive theatrical performance at the Kennedy Center and taking a night cruise on the Potomac River as added adventures. We fundraise throughout the year to help pay expenses. Meetings are usually held a Thursday night each month in Howard's cafeteria.
Sponsors: Mrs. Roux and Coach Hilburn


Academic UIL
Our school competes in Academic UIL Meet and Drama Competition each year. There is a contest for every student; they range from speaking and performance events in math, science, and listening skills tests. Students are encouraged to try several different contests to find which ones they prefer before entering high school and competing for the numerous college scholarships available through the University Interscholastic League.
Sponosr: Helen Sellers


Drama Club 
The basics of Theatre Arts will be explored, which will include voice and diction, theatre history, improvisation, pantomime, and duet acting. Drama Club students, along with any other interested students, will have the opportunity to audition for the UIL One-Act-Play, which is presented in February.
Classes taught by Charity Mullican


Athletics
The Howard 8th Grade Center athletic program is designed to develop successful student/athletes
with strong character and high standards. Students in the program realize that success is measured physically but foremost academically. The coaching staff is here to see that ach student/athlete
develops basic skills, maintains a positive attitude, and good sportsmanship, while being
responsible, committed, and well disciplined.
The following sports are offered:
8 Volleyball
8 Football
8 Basketball
Tennis (Coach Nutt) 
Girls- Coach Melston, Coach Porter, Coach Helms
Boys- Coach Volentine, Coach Evans, Coach Gaddy, Coach Rush, Coach McLain and Coach Weir


Cheerleaders
Purpose:
To represent the Howard 8th Grade Center in a positive manner through motivational cheers,
chants, jumps, and stunts. Try-out Eligibility Requirements are passed out in February.
Food for games days will be sack lunches brought from home. No purchased or sack food will be accepted in the office.
Sponsors: Tracy Gilby and Amber Simpson 


F.T.A. Future Teachers of America
The purpose of FTA is to promote the teaching profession as a possible occupational choice to its members. Any student who is passing and holds an "S" or "E" in conduct may participate in this campus organization. Students will be expected to maintain high academic and moral standards and develop responsibility through projects, fundraisers, and field trips. 
 

F.C.C.L.A Family Career, and Community Leaders of America
Any student taking Skills for Living is eligible to be a member of FCCLA. Boys and girls who are members develop leadership skills through community service projects. Create your own service project and compete state and nationwide in STAR Events. Once a member of FCCLA, a student is eligible to remain a member through high school. State and national dues are $10.00.
Sponsor: Mrs. Siebert 


Student Council
Student Council is an effective educational instrument if it is understood and used wisely. In its beginning, the idea might have been to form a mock government, but the functional Council has evolved into a unique agency for genuine learning far beyond basic concepts of civics. The idea requires individual commitment and individual involvement in the living, central arena of the student world. Student Council is a group of elected citizens in a school who meet regularly to:
-Promote citizenship
-Promote scholarship
-Promote leadership
-Promote human relations
-Promote cultural values
Sponsor: D'Etta Praslicka and Donna Harvey 


Yearbook
To accumulate, sequence, and correlate a historical record of the Howard 8th Grade Center by developing in the staff members an attitude and responsibility and professionalism.
Eligibility Requirements for this elective class
* Completed application
* Passing all grades
*Satisfactory or better conduct
*Be punctual at start times
*Attendance is important first semester. Class starts as 7:45 a.m. Monday through
Thursday during the first semester. Early start times may be required the second
semester to proofread and prepare for distribution
*Permission slips from parents must be on record for each staff member
*Willingness to work cohesively in a cooperative group setting with other staff members.
Sponsor: Clay Scarborough


Art Club
This club is open to all Junior High students and staff who have a love of art and would like to learn more about art techniques and artists. We will study the history of art and on occasion, do a project. One of our goals is to expose to a variety of media and take a field trip to a major museum and explore the many exhibits that are housed there.
Sponsor: Jodie Hunter

Tennis
Tennis is offered as a class during 1st period. Students begin practice at the HS tennis courts before the start of the school day.
Coached by Perry Nutt.


Robotics Club
Sponsor: Tracee Franklin

Chess Club
This club is open to all Howard students and staff who are interested in learning how to play Chess, or who want to sharpen their skills. 
Sponsor: Christy Olivera