Senator Square: Winterfest 2019 begins at Carson High School

No high school on the planet has as many events regularly happening as that of Carson High School, and one of the biggest of the year, Winterfest, begins Feb. 1. This year, Leadership class has determined the theme will be Winterflix, a play on the popular Netflix streaming service that allows customers to watch a wide variety of award-winning TV shows, movies, documentaries, and more on thousands of internet-connected devices.

Student Council is holding a decorating day for 2019 Winterfest Week, and time spent will count for volunteer hours for NHS students. The 2019 CHS Winterfest week begins Feb. 1 with an assembly, and Feb. 5 is the first dress-up day. There will be daytime activities and nighttime activities all week long.

The Feb. 5 dress up day is from Netflix’ show “Stranger Things” where students dress up in 80’s black and red. The lunch time activity is teachers 80’s trivia, and the night time activity is movie night at CHS in Senator Square from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Concessions will be sold, and students are asked to bring chairs and blankets. Feb. 6 is friends dress up as Twins Day with the lunch time activity being friends Kahoot trivia.

The night time activity is Central Perk at the Fox Brew Pub from 6 to 8 p.m. with coffee and hot chocolate served free. Feb. 7 is The Office dress up along with the once per month Dress for Success office wear. The lunch time activity is Waste Basket Basketball, and the night time activity is bowling at Carson Lanes from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. along with the Crowning of the Royal Court at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 8 is Riverdale dress up with Prep Out and the wearing of the Letterman’s Jacket and School Spirit clothing.

The lunch time activity is a Pep Rally, and the night time activity is the home basketball game against Damonte Ranch with a Blue Out theme. The junior varsity boys game is at 3:30 p.m., the varsity girls game is at 5:15 p.m., and the varsity boys game is at 7:15 p.m. Feb. 9 will be the Winterfest Dance from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. in Senator Square.

Tickets are on sale in Student Finance, and song requests will be made at the Student Store. Email Leadership Adviser Ann Britt at abritt@carson.k12.nv.us for more information. Wish you were a student again, huh.

SECOND ANNUAL CARSON AND ELKO HONOR ORCHESTRA
The Second Annual Carson City & Elko Honor Orchestra took place Jan. 17-19. Students rehearsed intensely with Guest Conductor Jennifer Drake for ten hours on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Students also enjoyed a field trip to Virginia City to see Piper's Opera House.

Their performance at the Carson Mall on Saturday was a culmination of their efforts, and they are grateful to the many community members for helping make this event a success. The Honor Orchestra is for Grades Six through Nine, and thirty-six students participated. Directors for the event were Roderick Royce, Elko String Director, Brian Fox, Carson City String Director, Jennifer Drake, Guest Clinician, and Eric Stern, Stage Manager. Dr. Brian Fox is the Orchestra Director for the Carson City School District, and he may be reached at 283-1779.

COMPETITION CHEER TEAM
The CHS Competition Cheer team competed in Antioch, California Jan. 12 at Deer Valley High School at the Regional USA Spirit Cheer Competition and took home a 2nd place trophy; they also qualified for the USA Spirit National competition being held in Anaheim in February. They then traveled to Roseville and competed at Oakmont High School taking home a 1st place trophy.

This year the team is also competing in the Co-Ed Advanced Stunting Division, consisting of 4 boys and 18 girls. Coach, Sheila Story said, “Within the co-ed division, we are able to include partner stunting which has helped us to be more competitive with other coed cheer teams; the team as a whole has increased their skills to advanced stunting and performing with high energy and spirit.” Great job, Carson High Cheer.

ROBOTICS TEAM HOST FINAL LEAGUE MEET
Cyber Mafia, the CHS robotics team, hosted the final meet of the Northern Nevada First Tech Challenge League Jan. 23 in Senator Square. It was a lively event, with nine teams engaged in competition and spectators watching from both the first and second floors. Cyber Mafia ended the night with a 4-1 match record, winning the meet. The League Championship will be held Jan. 27 at the Boys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows in Reno. Cyber Mafia is currently in second place entering the competition. Come on out and see the fierce robot action and cheer on the team.

GNCU DONATES TO CHS FBLA
Greater Nevada Credit Union recently presented a generous donation check to the CHS Future Business Leaders of America to assist with expenses when the club attends the FBLA State Business Leadership Conference April 7 – 10 in Las Vegas. Approximately 40 FBLA members would like to attend, but the cost is $295 per student. For information about FBLA, or to sponsor or donate, contact CHS teacher and adviser Angila Golik at agolik@carson.k12.nv.us.

HONOR CHOIR STUDENTS
CHS Students will be traveling to the “pre-rehearsal” of Northern Zone Nevada Music Educators High School Honor Choir and are seen rehearsing with Amanda Eddy, director at Virginia City High School. The selected 36 CHS students are Soprano I Madisen Aragon Nicole Orio Emma Tuttle Danielle Welch Stephanie White Soprano II Kaya Burdette-Wanamaker Sophie Fliegler Audrianna Hinton Madison Snodgrass Kimberlinn Tarantino Alto I Haylee Johnson Jay Mack Ethne Myler Madison Rhine Clare Stephenson Alto II Ciera Gooch Jalina Guthrie Hana Ikahara Stevie Vaughan Hannah Walker - Section Leader Tenor I Peng Chen Donovan Hunter Quentin Powers Tenor II Hunter Crouser Graeme Eckery Bradley Gomez Trevor Young Bass I Dominic Ceragioli Matt Garcia Tapungot Joey Hitchcock Trinity Medina-Ramirez Bass II Aden Bailey Max Deeb Liam Holcomb Ian Remington Richard Wright and one student (Junior Alto, Jalina Guthrie) successfully auditioned for the huge honor of being a member of the American Choral Directors Association College / High School National Honor Choir.

SEAT OF THE HOUSE
Take advantage of making CHS’ a part of the family’s winter sports activities as it is way more exciting than sitting at home and watching television. In fact, CHS Varsity Basketball coach Jordan Glover has created yet another reason to join the athletic fun with “Seat of the House”, a way to enjoy basketball games while sitting in the most comfortable location in the Big Gym with a free drink and food item of choice. So come out and show support by cheering on the 2018-2019 Senators Basketball program. Games this year offer raffle prizes and basketball gear for sale too. Regarding “Seat of the House”, photographer Melissa Knight said, “These ladies were so excited to have their picture taken.”

GUEST SPEAKERS FROM JOIN INC. VISIT CHS
RJ Ramirez and Bob Hastings, from JOIN Inc. Training Nevadans for Careers, presented to Economics teacher Nicole Fagundes' class Jan. 18. JOIN, a 501(c)(3) community benefit organization, provides access to career training throughout 13 counties in northern Nevada. JOIN also provides career assessments, indicating each participant's skills, competencies, and natural abilities related to the workforce.

During JOIN’s presentation, students learned about occupational courses, certifications, career training, and work experience that JOIN offers to young adults ages 17-24.

The presentation was an important step towards ensuring students are aware of additional options prior to graduating that can lead to full-time employment. In addition to their young adult program, JOIN also offers adults career training that results in accreditation, certifications, and licensure. Additional information on these services may be found at www.join.org.

JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS
Learn about available jobs and career opportunities with Carson City Jan. 29 at lunch in the CHS Library and Career Center. Students must be at least 15-years-old to apply to be a lifeguard or a recreational aid. Also, graduating seniors may come and learn about seasonal firefighter positions with the Carson City Fire Department and Dispatch positions with the Carson City Sheriff's Office. Interested? Visit carson.org/jobs to see all available jobs, requirements, and pay.

OPTIONS NIGHT
Attention parents and guardians of Honors and Advanced Placement students, there will be a CHS Options Night Feb. 4 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. beginning in Senator Square. The Honors and AP presentation will be held in the CHS Library followed by the Jump Start presentation at 7:00 p.m.

ATHLETES OF THE WEEK
CHS Athletic Department’s Athletes of the Week are Nayzeth Alvarez for Girls Varsity Basketball and Cole Ashton for Boys Varsity Wrestling. These athletes, and all students who participate in school functions through leadership, clubs, and sports deserve a high level of recognition and congratulations.

STUDENT OF THE WEEK
Marilyn Peterson, a senior, is the CHS Student of the Week. Marilyn exhibits a level of kindness which far surpasses that of many people in that she is always looking for ways to help others. She is currently taking many challenging courses at CHS: Honors American Literature, Honors French IV, Honors American Government, and Trigonometry; she is also a Peer Advocate and Teaching Assistant. Marilyn plans to attend UNR after graduation to major in psychology.

SENIOR SPOTLIGHT
This week’s Senior in the Spotlight is Alyssa Rowe. Alyssa has a weighted GPA of 4.54 and is taking a full course load of Honors, AP, and college classes. She is on track to earn Honors, College and Career Ready, and Advanced diplomas.

She will also be CHS’ first recipient of an Italian biliteracy seal on her diploma. This summer, Alyssa, already a Certified Nurse’s Assistant, plans on taking the necessary exams in order to be certified as a Phlebotomist and Emergency Medical Technician.

Alyssa loves to travel and experience new cultures, which led her to spending her junior year of high school in Bologna, Italy as an exchange student. She has also traveled to Canada, Spain, Greece, France, the Grand Cayman Islands, and Mexico.

Alyssa stays very busy as a member of NHS, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Blue Crew, and she participates in Track and Field, where she placed 3rd in the state last year in shot put and discus. Prior to attending CHS, Alyssa was a student at Sierra Lutheran High School where she participated in volleyball, basketball and track. Outside of school, Alyssa is an active member of her church and has taught Sunday School for the last five years.

Last semester, Alyssa took courses at WNC in Phlebotomy and CNA and was offered jobs at both Carson Tahoe Hospital and Renown because of her excellent work during her clinicals. Alyssa has applied to University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Gonzaga University, and the University of Nevada Reno. She plans to major in nursing in hopes of one day becoming a traveling nurse.

— Senator Square columnist Phil Brady is an English teacher at Carson High School in Carson City, Nev.