Athletics 

BLHS offers a comprehensive athletic program for male and female students. Athletes are expected to serve as role models at all times for their peers and as positive representatives for our school. Unethical behavior may carry school sanctions as well as athletic department sanctions. Athletes are expected to uphold standards of honesty, integrity, and teamwork at all times. The Athletic Department and coaches are not responsible for any items (cell phones, iPods, athletic shoes, warm-ups, uniforms, etc.) taken or misplaced. All items should be secured in their assigned locker. Athletes are also responsible for all athletic issued uniforms and equipment. These items must be turned in at the close of the season. All athletes will be charged for any unreturned issued uniforms and equipment. Sports at BLHS include 

Fall Sports: Competition Cheer, Football Cheerleading, Boys and Girls Cross Country, Football, Girls Tennis, and Volleyball 

Winter Sports: Archery, Boys and Girls Basketball, Wrestling, and Basketball Cheerleading 

Spring Sports: Baseball, Boys Tennis, Golf, Boys and Girls Soccer, Softball, Boys and Girls Track 

Athletic Eligibility Requirements 

Academic eligibility requirements affect all students who participate in interscholastic activities. Interscholastic activities are defined as activities that involve competition between schools and require preparation outside of the regular classroom more than one day per week. All athletic activities as well as Marching Band have to meet eligibility requirements for interscholastic activities. 

To participate in interscholastic activities, students in grades nine through twelve must achieve an overall passing average and either:

• Pass at least four academic courses, including each unit the student takes that is required for graduation.

The required courses are as follows:

• English/Language Arts 4 Units.

• U.S. History and Constitution 1 Unit.

• Economics (1/2 Unit), Government (1/2 Unit) 1 Unit.

• Other Social Studies 1 Unit.

• Mathematics 4 Units.

• Science 3 Units.

• Physical Education or ROTC 1 Unit.

• Computer Science (Including Keyboarding) 1 Unit.

• Foreign Language/CATE 1 Unit

Or pass a total of five academic courses.

Students must satisfy these conditions in the semester preceding participation in the interscholastic activity, if the interscholastic activity occurs completely within one semester or in the semester preceding the first semester of participation in an interscholastic activity if the interscholastic activity occurs over two consecutive semesters and is under the jurisdiction of the South Carolina High School League.

Questions concerning academic eligibility should be directed to the athletic director. 

If a student turns 19 years old prior to July 1 of the academic year, he/she is ineligible for athletic participation.

Clubs & Organizations

The following clubs and organizations provide leadership opportunities for students at BLHS:

Academic Bowl Team: Students in this club will represent BLHS in the WPEC and state academic bowl competitions. (Katie Johns)  

Panther Players:  The drama club provides the opportunity for students to learn and practice the craft of acting. Meetings will include opportunities to participate in drama games, improvisation and pantomime activities, and rehearsals for a fall and spring production. (Ivy Munnerlyn)

Fellowship of Christian Athletes: FCA is a state and national non-denominational organization whose main emphasis is to help athletes and students get to know each other and Christ better. The FCA is open to all 9-12 grade students and promotes Christian fellowship, morals, and principles throughout the school and community. (Jamie Anderson)

Future Business Leaders of America: FBLA is a local chapter of the national organization, which promotes ideals of citizenship, leadership, and a greater understanding of the American business enterprise system. Students enrolled in business education courses are invited to join in club activities. (sponsor needed)

FFA: FFA is a national organization of young people preparing for careers in the science, business or technology of agriculture, including natural resources and education. Activities such as conventions, trips, contests, and conferences reinforce skills learned in the classroom and help develop leadership. The FFA organization is open to any 9-12 grade student enrolled in agricultural education. (sponsor needed)

Gamer’s Anonymous Club:  Are you a gamer?  Then, this is the club for you!  Socialize with your friends while you enjoy the newest high tech games and gadgets on the market. (Joy Haggard)

Guitar Club: Bring your guitar. Let’s strum along and play a song. (Mark Bolduc)

Interact Club: Founded in 1962, “Interact” stands for “International Action.” Every Interact Club is sponsored by a Rotary Club, which provides guidance to the club. The Interact Club motto is “Service Above Self.” Membership is open to students in grades 9-12. (sponsor needed)

National Art Honor Society: Selection for membership in NAHS requires that students be in grades 10-12, have a minimum of one semester in art, and maintain a “B” average in art class. NAHS is chartered by the National Art Education Association. (Joy Haggard)

National Beta Club: The Beta Club consists of students in grades 10-12 who maintain a 4.0 GPA, participate in sponsored service projects throughout the year, and exhibit worthy character, good mentality, creditable achievement, and commendable attitude. The purpose of this organization is the promotion of scholarship, leadership, and good citizenship at BLHS. Students are invited to join this club each fall based on academic eligibility. (Leslie Campbell and Heather Eargle)

National Spanish Honors Society: The Spanish Honor Society is sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese. Batesburg-Leesville High School’s Dulcinea Chapter was chartered in 1973. Students inducted into the Society must have an 85 cumulative average in Spanish through Spanish III and must be an active member of the Spanish Club. Active members are defined as attending at least 80% of the club’s meetings during the year.  The Society is for recognition of excellence in Spanish and inductions take place in the spring. (Marshall Harvey)

Panther BLAST (B.L. Athletic Student Trainers) - Panther BLAST is an extension of our sports medicine program. This club is open to ALL students who wish to learn more about athletic training. Skills learned in class can be practiced through real life applications by working with athletes here at B-L.  (Kayla Cotney)

PANTHER Staff: The PANTHER Staff is responsible for producing and financing the BLHS yearbook. The editorial staff is made up primarily of upperclassmen who have had previous experience working on the yearbook. The business staff consists of any student who is willing to help secure financing for the yearbook. Applications for positions on the editorial staff are usually taken at the end of the academic year preceding service. The business staff is organized at the beginning of each school year. (Christy Dawkins)

Panther Production:  Students will get hands-on experience in basic production techniques for audio, video, and film. They will learn how to use industry-standard equipment and will develop skills including writing, directing, producing, and editing video. (Brady Fulmer)

Relay for Life Team:  The school Relay for Life team supports the efforts of the American Cancer Society in their mission to end cancer.  The team sponsors the yearly BLHS Relay Palooza in the spring and participates in community- wide Relay for Life events and fundraising throughout the school year. (Officer Miller)

Science Club: The Science Club is an organization devoted to the promotion of scientific achievement. The organization strives to promote scientific awareness through trips, experimentation, and scientific analysis. (sponsor needed)

Student Council: The Batesburg-Leesville Student Council is an elected group of students whose purpose is to promote cooperation and fellowship among the students, to provide for student participation in all affairs pertaining to the student body in general, to provide a representative group to act as spokesman for the students, and to make Batesburg-Leesville High School a better and happier place for both students and teachers. Annual student council activities include Homecoming Week, Powder Puff Football, Christmas Candy Grams, and student body and class elections. A complete copy of the Constitution of the Student Council is available for review in the school office. (Wendi Miller)

Technology Students Association: TSA is open to all 9-12 grade students. During the school year, members are allowed to construct various projects that are used in a competition held in the spring of that year at the TSA Spring Showcase in Columbia, SC. (sponosor needed)

Scheduling School Sponsored Club Meetings:

Club meetings will be held during Half-Time. The date and time for club meetings will be posted on a Google Calendar by administration. Any additional club meeting times must be held before or after school.

Establishing Clubs and Organizations

Clubs and organizations are chartered by and fall under the established guidelines of the student government association as it is outlined below:

• Extra-curricular activities are intended and should be designed to promote and develop the interest and talent of those served by the activity, to foster and promote interest in the school, and to convey a favorable image of the total school program to the parents of those we serve. 

• Sponsors should have a genuine interest in the activity and strive to establish an effective program constructed within the framework of a club constitution submitted to administration. 

• Each club may establish its own criteria for membership and may disqualify students for non-compliance with those standards. However, no student shall be excluded for failing to meet monetary requirements. Additionally, non-compliance with one club or organization should not preclude the student's membership or participation in another activity with different standards.

• As a precaution, we always require written permission from the parent or legal guardian whenever a trip is planned for a club or organization (one blanket permission for athletic teams, band chorus, etc. that travel often as a group). All participants in such activities must have student insurance or have a signed statement from parent indicating personal coverage is adequate and relieving the school of any liability.

• No club or organization will be allowed to sponsor or participate in a fund-raising activity without the permission of the assistant principal.

• When an organization meets after school, the sponsor of the organization is responsible for supervising the group. The sponsor must remain with the students until all of them have left campus. Students who consistently fail to make arrangements for transportation to arrive at the announced times may be excluded from further participation in such activities.