CTSOs & Clubs Home
Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs) are co-curricular organizations with leadership programs and competitive events that reflect current curriculum standards and competencies for the instructional programs they serve. Teachers infuse CTSO activities into instructional activities, thereby helping students see the real-world value of their academic studies.
CTSOs are a vital part of Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE). They play an integral role in preparing students to become college- and career-ready members of society who hold productive leadership roles in their communities. CTSOs are committed to the growth of students in all CTAE career pathways.
Explore the CTSOs and Extracurricular Clubs available at EmpowerC3 below!
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The ENGAGE Chapter program provides thousands of elementary, middle, and high school students with a school-based structured environment to develop leadership skills, understand the importance of civic responsibility,
and enhance community through monthly school and community service projects. ENGAGE Chapters are open to all elementary, middle, and high school students. The ENGAGE Chapter purpose is "To educate and equip students to become informed and active citizens”.
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Army JROTC views extra-curricular activities as a venue to develop teamwork, communication skills, personal social responsibility, fitness, leadership, selfless service to the community and others, good work ethic, sportsmanship, and fair play. We believe the values learned from these activities will help all students throughout their lives.
Color Guard is a highly visible ceremonial support team representing our Country, School and Corps of Cadets, presenting or posting the National Colors at all JROTC military and social events, all home football games, and official High School, School District and Community level events including numerous Veterans Day ceremonies, the Commerce Christmas Parade, and Nicholson Daisy Festival Parade. Outstanding cadet candidates are carefully screened and selected for the honor of carrying the National Colors in front of our School and shared Community.
Raider Team. Open to students enrolled in Army JROTC, and loosely based upon the U.S. Army’s Best Ranger Competition, the Raider Team instills teamwork, physical and technical skills at the individual and team levels. The Raider experience blends mental and physical resilience and competitive endurance tasks found in a conventional Army unit such as the Physical Fitness Test, 5km team Runs, Rope Bridges, Land Navigation Courses, Tire Flip, Cross Country Relay, Obstacle Courses, First Aid Knowledge, and Litter/Stretcher Carry. Under the supervision and instruction of the Army JROTC instructors, the Raider team is a motivated group of cadets willing to push themselves and their teammates to move further, faster and train harder than any other Army JROTC Cadet. Cadets will tell you straight-up, that Army JROTC Raider season is the highlight of their Army JROTC experience! Practices are Mondays through Thursdays, unless otherwise scheduled, from 3:30 P.M. to 5:00 P.M., beginning in the JROTC common area.
JROTC Leadership and Academic Bowl (JLAB) Teams. Practice rounds are held in October, with Level I Competition held in early November. Open to freshman, sophomores and juniors (no seniors) enrolled in Army JROTC. One of the main goals of the JROTC Academic Bowl event is to prepare students for state exit/graduation exams and standardized tests such as the SAT and ACT. The JLAB Leadership Bowl event is a way to evaluate the understanding of the JROTC Curriculum in the following areas: Citizenship in Action, Leadership Theory & Application; Foundations for Success (Unit 3); Winning Colors, Graphic Organizers & Thinking Maps; The George C. Marshall Principles of Leadership; and “No Substitute for Victory”: Lessons in Strategy & Leadership from GEN Douglas MacArthur.
The Rifle Team is a Georgia High School Association (GHSA) sanctioned varsity sport, open to all GHSA-eligible students at both Jackson County and East Jackson County High schools. Eligible and qualified student-athletes may earn a varsity athletic letter upon successful completion of two seasons. An Olympic and GHSA sport, the Rifle Team utilizes precision and sporter-class (.177 cal) air rifles and competes with other GHSA Riflery programs throughout Areas 4 and 8 in January and February, and may compete in 3-position precision postal and special invitational marksmanship matches from the prone, standing, (includes sitting if 4-position match) and kneeling positions. Tryouts for GHSA eligible student-athletes are normally held in the October timeframe. Because of the transition to the Empower C3, we are assessing whether we can host a team this year.
Saber Team is open to students enrolled in Army JROTC, the Sabre Team provides highly visible ceremonial saber arch support to JROTC, School, School District and Community activities. The Saber Team utilizes official U.S. Army officer sabers in performance of their ceremonial support activities. It is expected by our school and community that the Saber Team performs at a high level of proficiency in support of Homecoming Court (Football), the Army JROTC Battalion Dining-Out, and High School Graduation Commencement.
Open to students enrolled in Army JROTC, Drill Team includes competitive, precision drill teams (squad, platoon, competition Color Guard) competing in military regulated and unregulated style drill meets throughout Area 8 (Northeast Georgia), and the State of Georgia. The drill team may participate in numerous School Support, School District Support and Community Support activities in Jackson County throughout the academic year. Tryouts are normally held in late fall timeframe, with competitions normally in the January and February timeframes.
Direct questions about JROTC to:
Major Billy Chau bchau@jcss.us
Command Sgt. Major Melvin Farr mfarr@jcss.us
First Sgt. Andrew Keene akeene@jcss.us
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Direct questions about JROTC to:
Major Billy Chau bchau@jcss.us
Command Sgt. Major Melvin Farr mfarr@jcss.us
First Sgt. Andrew Keene akeene@jcss.us
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A national honor society for students who excel in academic and career/technical courses and who are actively involved in student government, career/technical student organizations, civic, and/or service organization(s).
NTHS helps schools to:
- Offer additional scholarship opportunities to CTE students.
- Communicate a strong, positive image in the local community.
- Attract and recruit qualified, diverse students into CTE programs.
- Build active partnerships with and promote students to local industry.
- Recognize outstanding leaders and educators through the NTHS Hall of Fame.
- Encourage parental, family, and industry involvement in the educational process.
- Foster self-esteem, pride, responsibility, and community involvement in students.
- Enhance partnerships with HOSA, SkillsUSA, BPA, DECA, FCCLA, and FBLA/PBL
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A career/technical student organization that provides quality education experiences for students in leadership, teamwork, citizenship, and character development. Skills USA also promotes understanding of the free enterprise system and involvement in community service activities. Students will have the opportunity to compete regionally, statewide, and nationally.
SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. We help each student excel. A nonprofit national education association, SkillsUSA serves middle-school, high-school and college/postsecondary students preparing for careers in trade, technical and skilled service (including health) occupations.
Mission Statement: SkillsUSA empowers its members to become world-class workers, leaders and responsible American citizens. We improve the quality of our nation’s future skilled workforce through the development of SkillsUSA Framework skills that include personal, workplace and technical skills grounded in academics. Our vision is to produce the most highly skilled workforce in the world, providing every member the opportunity for career success.
SkillsUSA serves more than 372,655 students and instructors annually. This includes 20,598 instructors who join as professional members. Including alumni, SkillsUSA membership totals over 434,000. SkillsUSA has served 13.6 million annual members cumulatively since 1965 and is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Labor as a successful model of employer-driven workforce development.
To find out more about Skills USA, click Skills USA website.
Direct questions to Traci Smith tnsmith@jcss.us
Denise Wilbanks dwilbanks@jcss.us
Melinda Cochran Davis melinda.cochrandavis@jcss.us
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The Technology Student Association (TSA) is a national non-profit career and technical student organization (CTSO) of middle and high school students engaged in science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Today, over 300,000 students participate in TSA’s competitions, intracurricular activities, leadership opportunities, and community service.
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Direct questions about JROTC to:
Major Billy Chau bchau@jcss.us
Command Sgt. Major Melvin Farr mfarr@jcss.us
First Sgt. Andrew Keene akeene@jcss.us
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Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) is the CTSO for all Business related programs. The Jackson-Empower FBLA is a chapter of Georgia FBLA under the national umbrella of FBLA-Phi Beta Lambda. Our mission is to "inspire and prepare students to become community-minded business leaders in a global society through relevant career preparation and leadership experiences. We bring our mission to life through the application of our motto: Service, Education, and Progress." Members of FBLA will meet regularly to hear from local business leaders, plan community service projects, and work to improve upon their personal Employability Skills. Members will, also, be eligible to attend Leadership Conferences, and compete in regional events demonstrating their mastery of different business activities. There are many opportunities for students to gain leadership experience and resume-building qualities that will help them as they grow and prepare for both college and the work environment.
To find out more about FBLA, click FBLA website.
IG: @ec3entrepreneurs
Direct questions to Josh Lingerfelt Email here or Chris Hobgood Email here
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The Jackson-Empower FFA chapter is a 2-star Gold Chapter Emblem and boasts 512 members at the high school level, making it the largest high school chapter in the state of Georgia. Members routinely compete for region, district and state awards and championships each academic year.
The National FFA Organization is the premier youth organization preparing members for leadership and careers in the science, business and technology of agriculture. Our organization represents the largest employer in the U.S. and we feed 58% of the world. The FFA prepares you for over 200 careers in the food and animal science sector. Today, more than 700,000 student members are engaged in a wide range of agricultural education activities. The Georgia FFA Association was founded in 1929. It is the 3rd largest state association in the nation with more than 70,000 FFA members; and 500 FFA members at Jackson-Empower. Today, the National FFA Organization remains committed to the individual student, providing a path to achievement in premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. In addition, FFA provides incentives for improved student performance through its awards program. Students can compete in 33 Career Development Events. The purpose of these events is to motivate students and encourage leadership, personal growth, citizenship and career development. FFA continues to help the next generation rise up to meet the challenges of our industry by helping its members to develop their own unique talents and explore their interests in a broad range of agricultural career pathways. Our members are the Future Biologists, Future Chemists, Future Veterinarians, Future Engineers and Future Entrepreneurs of America. We’re growing the next generation of leaders who will change the world.
To find out more about FFA, click FFA Website.
Direct questions about FFA to:
Dr. Jacob Segers jsegers@jcss.us
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Welcome to HOSA: Future Health Professionals. HOSA integrates into the Healthcare Science pathway, but all students interested in healthcare are welcome to join. We currently host many members with four officer positions. Dues are $25 per year ($10 for national, $10 for state dues, and $5 for chapter.)
HOSA typically meets on the first Tuesday of each month and has multiple community service and outreach opportunities throughout the year.
During senior year, there is an opportunity to earn a HOSA cord to wear at graduation. The requirements to obtain the HOSA cord are:- Membership in the HOSA organization
- Attendance at 7 of the 10 (70%) meetings throughout the year
- Participation in three HOSA events (fundraisers or conferences)
There is no cost for the cord.
To find out more about Georgia HOSA, click HOSA website.
Direct Questions to:
Emily Gunderson egunderson@jcss.us
Lisa Cauthen lcauthen@jcss.us