Students are encouraged to participate in clubs. Some schools even set time aside during the day for club meetings. These clubs aren't necessarily for fun - many students participate to enhance a college resume, develop job skills or even meet people who can help with future business plans.
There are many different types of clubs. Some are competitive, forming teams which travel to tournaments in other schools. These include debate, forensics (speech and acting), marching band, choral music, Academic Olympics and Scholar's Bowl.
Other clubs are more civic-oriented, focused on projects in the school or the surrounding community. These include STUCO (student government), pep club, science club and leadership club. In rural communities, agriculture-related clubs are very popular.
Some clubs offer letters. Traditionally, letters were used to signify special achievement in athletics, and people with letters (known as "lettermen") were among the most popular and respected people in the school. Over the past few decades, schools have offered letters for many other activities, such as this certificate for forensics.