Senator Square: Annual Carson High PTA reflections contest winners announced


Amazing opportunities are still happening at Carson High School, and students are taking advantage of the benefits of winning money and scholarships. Students who enjoy dance choreography, film production, literature, music composition, photography, visual arts, and even the special arts for students with disabilities, were asked to participate in unleashing their inner artist in this year’s Parent Teacher Association Reflections contest with $500 available in prize money.

The 2020-2021 theme, "I Matter Because..." called for unique artistic interpretations. Prior to completing their chosen art expression, students were able to visit the Reflections virtual art gallery to learn more about prizes and scholarships at PTA.org/Reflections.

The winners of this year’s Reflections contest offered pieces in two categories: Photography and Visual Arts. CHS student Vivian Lathrop won 1st place in Visual Arts with her piece “Remembering the Positive”, Sophia Crittenden won 2nd place with “Why Life Matters”, and Liberty Hoefling captured 3rd place with an untitled piece.

Alanah Jackson won 1st place in Photography with her piece, “Seeing the Light in the Dark”, Kyla McGee won 2nd place with her piece, “A Line of Beauty”, and Trevor Castillo latched onto 3rd place with his piece entitled “Confidence”. The CHS and PTA responsibility teacher every year for this event is Wendy Tims. For questions or more information, please email her at wtims@carson.k12.nv.us, or call her at 283-1759.

FREE CREATIVE ENTHUSIAST MASKS GIVEN TO STUDENTS
With an influx of students returning to CHS from fulltime online learning and back to hybrid, Access testing, and ACT study sessions, the @Senators Library is continuing to physically distance but with more increased social interactions. CHS Library Media Specialist Ananda Campbell and School Counselor Bridget Gordon were recently surprised with a gift of hand-crafted masks from Kelly Keene, a creative enthusiast and Etsy shop owner.

Campbell recently placed an order and forgot to include a discount code, Keene offered to include a couple of extra masks, and Campbell asked her to "choose whatever is appropriate for teens as we like to have a few on hand for students who need something fun to brighten their day."

This remark was met with a lovely message of heartfelt thanks to the school community for its work with students and a large box of donated masks.

Mrs. Gordon offered a couple to one of her senior students who faces housing insecurity, who then exclaimed, "OMG Mrs. Gordon, I have only the one mask and I have fixed it so many times I was afraid I would not be able to keep working after it broke for good." On behalf of CHS Library and Counseling, a great amount of thanks goes to Kelly Keene of hollowsonvale.etsy.com for the generous donation. In other library news, students are working together remotely and in person to study, write, complete assignments, and prepare for the upcoming ACTs.

The most recent weekly Homeroom lesson focused on ACT preparation tools and resources including the CHS ACT Bootcamp held Tues. through Thur. afternoons until the Feb. 23 ACT test. Students and families are invited to access the CHS Homeroom lessons to learn more about how ACT preparation can be beneficial at senatorsnow.org.

FRESHMAN SEMINAR AND HEALTH TEACHER REACHES OUT
According to CHS Health and Freshman Seminar teacher Erin Been, “I have reached out to community partners in their perspective fields to bring to CHS’ students and parents an extended learning opportunity in relation to health curriculum; this will be presented in cooperation with Partnership Carson City.” ZOOM presentations began Feb. 11 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. and will continue every Thur.

The Zoom code, the same code every week, is zoom.us/j/97109995715, and the meeting ID is 971 0999 5715. Please see the following attachment here for complete information.

AMERICAN COLLEGE TEST ALMOST HERE
The American College Test is coming soon, and it will be administered, free of charge, to all CHS Juniors. In fact, taking the ACT is a CHS graduation requirement. Additionally, interested CHS Seniors, those who desire to retake the ACT for the possibility of receiving a higher score, may obtain a fee waiver to cover registration in order to complete the full ACT with writing, no writing, or a section retesting up to three subjects. Eligible students may request up to four waivers, and the waiver covers one report to a student’s high school and up to six college choices at the time of registration.

After registration, the student may request unlimited regular score reports for free. Also included is full access to ACT Online Prep, ACT Rapid Review, and ACT Academy. Refer to the following address for information on which students are eligible: www.act.org/the-act/resources. A note from the parent of a recent graduate says, “Do not forget about the Governor Guinn Millennium Scholarship; there are many students who, like my son, did not have a 3.25 high school GPA, which would have given him an automatic Millenium Scholarship; however, students who receive a 21 or higher on the ACT are eligible for the scholarship as well.”

The parent went on to say, “My son attended the ACT prep ‘Bootcamp’ his junior year, and I believe that because of it, he was able to get an ACT score of 22, so last summer we received the Millennium Scholarship offer in the mail and, though my son did not go to college, he opted for the US Navy, but the scholarship has been accepted and is waiting for him when he finishes with the military.” Students, this is a great opportunity to get a great scholarship without having the best grades in the world.

FREE ACCESS GRANTED TO CHS STUDENTS PUBLISHED STORIES
Rosen Publishing posted the stories submitted by CHS Students. A few minor edits were made to protect the privacy of the students, and the collaboration between Rosen Publishing, Teen Health and Wellness: teenhealthandwellness.com, @Sentaors Library, and Mrs. Erin Been’s Freshman Seminar class continues to bring authentic learning opportunities to students.

With permission from Rosen Publishing, the username and password to access our CHS student stories published in Teen Health and Wellness is provided with the following message: “Your whole school community should be so proud” — Miriam Gilbert, VP Rosen Digital.

As a thank you for the collaboration, CHS was gifted access to the THW Digital Literacy and Calm Room resource. Both may be found in the Research and Database section of the @Senators Library page, carsonhigh.com, under Quick Links, Library; User: carsonhigh; password: senators.

COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS AVAILABLE THROUGH LUV MICHAEL
Luv Michael is a non-profit 501c3 organization advocating for autism acceptance. The company produces high quality organic, gluten-free, and nut-free granola without all the harmful chemicals and toxic allergens. They have a virtual volunteer program for members to earn 40 hours of community service for completing two weeks of service advocating for adults with autism using digital platforms.

At the conclusion of their experience, a certificate of completion will be awarded to participants; however, if a participant continues participating, they may ear hours toward the President’s Volunteer Service Award, a nationally recognized award for outstanding volunteerism.

All students desiring to earn community service hours are encouraged to participate. If interested, students are to fill out the Google form for an invitation to attend the informational student meeting at 11 a.m. Feb. 22: forms.gle/QX5UH9BSfqH2iiqK9.

ATHLETE IN THE SPOTLIGHT
The CHS Athlete in the Spotlight is Gabriel Madera, a senior. Regarding Gabriel’s athletic inspiration, he said “I was inspired by the growth process that takes place in athletics, which is making me better as an individual.” As to the sports in which Gabriel participates, he said “I competed in baseball, wrestling, and swim.” During high school, Gabriel has maintained a 4.1 GPA while participating in sports, and after high school he plans to attend a college, acquire a bachelor’s degree, and then pursue a master’s degree in mechanical engineering; eventually, Gabriel would like to work for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Gabriel’s motivational quote comes from American sportscaster Vin Scully.

Vincent Edward Scully, an American retired sportscaster, is best known for his 67 seasons calling games for Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Dodgers, beginning in 1950 and ending in 2016. Scully said, “In a year that has been so improbable, the impossible has happened.” In speaking with younger athletes, Gabriel said, “I would tell them to always make sure they hold their heads up high and do not give up in both athletics and academics.” Congratulations to Gabriel Madera on being nominated CHS Athlete in the Spotlight.

STUDENT OF THE WEEK
Former CHS Special Education teacher Tod Jennings, and the paraprofessionals, nominated sophomore, Sierra Brooks for Student of the Week. Jennings said, “Sierra is a peer advocate in our B4 Cohort 1 Life Skills class, working with students with special needs, and she readily engages with them, helping them to find success within their abilities.” Jennings added, “Her patience and maturity contributes greatly to her success and makes her a real asset to the class.”

For Christmas, Jennings shared how Sierra purchased gifts for the students in the class, saying her thoughtfulness was evident as she matched the teddy bears to the personality types. For example, Sierra gave a stuffed unicorn to a couple of the more whimsical students. “Sierra is a great asset to not only her class, but to Carson High School and our community,” Jennings said.

Congratulations to Sierra Brooks on being nominated as the CHS Student of the Week and on her selfless approach to working with students with special needs. CHS is fortunate to have her as a student.

SENIOR IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Pioneer High School’s Connor Trease is this week’s Senior in the Spotlight. Pioneer helps give new direction, and Connor Trease is just a few months away from achieving a lifelong goal, to graduate from high school. In kindergarten, Connor set his eyes on graduation day, yet when he finally entered high school, there was a time successful completion appeared elusive, and he realized if he did not choose to focus on work hard, he might be in jeopardy of not obtaining his childhood ambition. His junior year, Connor transferred to PHS where he found support and direction.

Smaller class sizes and individual attention inspired a return to motivation towards school, and he started enjoying learning again. Things took another positive turn when he was introduced to the automotive program at Western Nevada College through the Pioneer Jump Start grant and began taking WNC auto classes his senior year. Though the auto classes are challenging, Connor knows he has found his passion and will finish the year with skills to help him land his now dream job.

Along with a passion for anything automotive, Connor fully enjoys the outdoor recreation this region offers and often can be found skiing, fishing and going off-roading. He is planning to continue his studies in automotive at WNC in the fall and pursue a career in the automotive industry.

Connor credits his parents for his success for both believing in him to accomplish his goals and helping him through the tough times. He is also thankful to Pioneer for giving him the opportunity to join the Jump Start program to chase his dream. The staff and teachers at Pioneer are honored to have worked with Connor and are confident he will be successful in his endeavors. — Contributed by PHS Counselor Cary Jordan.

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