Senator Square: Carson High School students advance to state competition

Recently, SkillsUSA had its Regional Photography Competition, and all five participating CHS students are going to State. SkillsUSA is a career and technical student organization serving more than 395,000 high school, college, and middle school students across the nation in trade training programs and technical and skilled service occupations, including health occupations.

Made up of contestants from Northern Nevada high schools such as Douglas, Wooster, AACT, and CHS, just to name a few, each school was allowed to enter only five contestants. Out of the multitude of competing students, a total of only eleven are chosen to advance to State competition in Reno on April 8-12. At State, the top eleven students from the North compete against the top students from the South in the hopes of being the one student who gets to advance to Nationals in Louisville, Kentucky in June.

Each competition consists of multiple tests, activities, and critiques in which students’ scores are combined from each activity to determine their specific places in the contest; this ensures that students who win, place, or advance are well-rounded photographers and not just excellent in one specific content area of photography.

Not only did all five CHS competitors advance to State, but Kailee Luschar placed 2nd, and Valeria Martinez placed 1st. Sarah Woods, Garrett Clampitt, and Diego Lopez were among the three other CHS contestants to advance to State. For questions or information about supporting this arts centered school activity, contact CHS Photography instructor Kara Ferrin at 283-1652.

GUEST SPEAKERS VISIT CHS HEALTH CLASSES
Over 600 CHS Health class students were presented with important lessons from Kevin Moore of Zero Teen Fatalities and Dr. Debb Oliver and Molly Dahl of Social Emotional Academic Development (SEAD). The Zero Teen Fatalities program strives to put an end to traffic-related deaths by educating young drivers about the importance of being safe behind the wheel.

Topics presented in the lesson included buckling up, distracted driving, drunk driving, traffic laws, and pedestrian safety. Speakers, Dr. Debb Oliver, author of Youth Positive, and Molly Dahl, spoke with Health classes to help students realize how social emotional practices better their engagement in schools, help with stress management, and improve overall wellbeing, ultimately leading to better achievement.

CHS teacher Erin Been and others are excited to have them partnering with CHS to help improve student success.

CHS STUDENTS ATTEND CONVENTION
CHS students from CHS Advanced Placement Environmental Science class learned about careers and opportunities at the Safari Club International convention. Students had the opportunity to meet with former Carson City School District educators John and Lara Valley, NDOW Conservation Education Division Administrator, Chris Vasey, The Art of Taxidermy’s Dan Catlin, and SCI Foundation Assistant Director of Education Todd Roggenkamp, at the Safari Club International Convention at the Reno Convention Center.

With the guidance of Mr. Valley and company, the class explored careers and projects of the Nevada Department of Wildlife, what is involved in taxidermy, and immediate opportunities to see what goes on in the outdoors with a preview of an SCI summer camp in Wyoming.

After this, the high schoolers were able to enjoy and explore the convention floor with a scavenger hunt activity. Among other activities, a giant twenty foot long stuffed alligator was marveled at. Students were able to see and speak with a multitude of clothing, travel, technology, and hunting companies as well. The whole experience was a tremendous opportunity for students interested in the outdoors, as they are not that far away from entering college or the work force.

EMBLEM CLUB SUPPORTS CHS AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE TEACHER
CHS American Sign Language teacher Maryanne Weaver would like to thank the Emblem Club of Carson City for their kind donation to her American Sign Language program. This wonderful group of women does so much for the community, raising money to help the cost of training ‘hearing’ dogs for the deaf, as well as a variety of scholarships for local students.

According to Weaver, “I am blessed to be one of the recipients of their community donations; their generous gifts will help purchase five tablets for my classroom, and the goal of a class set of 15 will allow my students to record stories that will be shared with students in the elementary school. Our goal is to create a video library of elementary readers that students throughout the district can enjoy. CHS American Sign Language instructor MaryAnne Weaver may be reached at 283-1728.

HONOR BAND PERFORMED
Twenty of Carson High’s most talented musicians participated in the Northern Zone Nevada Music Educators High School Honor Band Feb. 7 and Feb. 8 with their concert on Feb. 8 at Churchill County High School, in Fallon, Nevada. They were under the direction of Diane Koutsulis, former director of Green Valley High School and 1998 Nevada Teacher of the Year.

CREATIVE OPPORTUNITIES IN THE CHS LIBRARY
Maker Monday at the CHSenators Library is an opportunity for students to ease their brains back into school after a weekend of sleeping in. Students are invited to come by the library at lunch, and get creative. The Feb. 11 activity was ‘leather jewelry’ making it a smooth Monday in the library. When local school volunteer, Bobbi Westphall offered her creative energy to partner with the CHS Library, the idea of Maker Monday was born.

Students and staff are invited to stop by the library on Mondays at lunch to create, connect and practice self-care. Westphall has provided the materials and guidance for workshops on jewelry and alcohol/ink tiles. When asked why she would give time and materials for this, Westphall said, "I enjoy it, and I want others to enjoy having fun being creative."

Another volunteer, Holly Kuhlmann, will be leading crochet and knitting workshops in the future. Students have requested beatboxing and building birdhouses, so CHS Librarian Ananda Campbell is seeking local volunteers to lead lunchtime workshops in the future. 

The CHSenators Library is a great place to learn, to make, and to just be. Please call Ananda Campbell, Library Media Specialist, at 283-1641, or email her at chsenatorslibrary.weebly.com.

SHERIFF FURLONG’S ACADEMY UNDERWAY
The Carson City Sheriff’s High School Academy, created by Sheriff Kenny Furlong, is paving the way for learning experiences for students. Work-Based Learning (WBL), a statutory mandate for all schools under NRS 389.167, is designed to create opportunities for students to connect classroom learning to authentic business and industry experiences. Furlong, a believer in this continuum, created the 10-week academy designed to introduce students to different law enforcement departments and positions.

This marks the 3rd Annual High School Sheriff’s Academy. The academy provides career exploration opportunities and fulfills the graduation requirement for participating CHS seniors. Currently, 18 CHS seniors and 4 Pioneer High School seniors are completing their Senior Project graduation requirement with the academy.

Students meet every Wednesday evening to see officers in action. During week four, students learned from the SWAT team, which provided real-life tactical encounters to include dealing with an active shooter. Furlong’s vision is building a partnership of trust and respect within the community and enhancing the quality of life in Carson City. Interested in the Senior Project? Contact Melisa Kunter at mkunter@carson.k12.nv.us to volunteer as a SP judge. To explore WBL opportunities for students, contact Yette De Luca at ydeluca@carson.k12.nv.us.

STUDENTS CELEBRATE NONETHELESS
Due to adverse weather conditions, the CHS Winterfest 2019 celebration dance had to be cancelled; however, did this ruin everyone’s evening, no way! With the loving support of their parents, Jill and Karen Beglin turned the evening into another safe and celebratory event when they had all their friends over to enjoy food and games. CHS Leadership students have not given up either; they are already planning a new date for the Winterfest 2019 school dance.

ACT PREPARATION BEING OFFERED
Hey juniors, want to get prepared for taking the ACT? Come to the CHS Library after school on Tuesdays and Wednesdays to get specific support for the tough areas of the ACT. Attend at least four sessions and get a Dutch Bros. card. Plus, have a way better chance at scholarships, colleges, and being designated Career and College Ready.

SAFE GRAD’S SAFE AND SOBER 5K RUN & WALK RESCHEDULED
Safe Grad’s Safe and Sober 5k Run & Walk event did not happen Feb. 9 due to the unrelenting snow and ice in Carson City, but Safe Grad remains undaunted; the event has been rescheduled for Feb. 23. The 5K application is found at carsonhighsafegrad.com. Safe Grad is also gearing up for this year's event on June 8, and this is quickly approaching, so Safe Grad is asking community members to consider volunteering as a member.

Meetings occur the second Saturday every month at Remax Realty, 716 North Carson Street on the 2nd floor. Contact CHS Safe Grad Secretary, Wendy Yang at 720-6160 or President Kyra Hinton at 434-760-0635. Safe Grad is always looking for sponsors and raffle prize donations too. For information regarding social media and advertising, contact Coordinator Nubia Leon at carsonhighsafegrad.com.

FUTURE FARMERS OF AMERICA WANT TEACHER TO KISS A GOAT
Valentine’s Day, and FFAs flower sales were wonderfully successful, so what could they possibly have to offer that is better than roses, well, goat kissing. Want to see a CHS teachers kiss a goat? Next week the CHS Capitol FFA chapter will be celebrating National FFA Week. There will be fun activities and dress up days. Feb. 19 will be plaid day, Feb. 20 is animal day, Feb. 21 is blue and gold day, and Feb. 22 will be cowboy day. Capitol FFA chapter will be hosting a kiss the goat contest too. Interested students must drop money off at the Student Store, in a bucket, to vote for their favorite, or least favorite, teacher, and at the end of the week the teacher with the most money will be kissing a goat during lunch. FFA would love to see everyone decked out to support the local FFA chapter.

TALENT SHOW COMING SOON
The CHS Talent Show, hosted by Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), will be held Feb. 27 at 6:00 p.m. at the Bob Boldrick Theater inside the Carson City Community Center. Pre-bought tickets are $5 for students, and $8 for adults, but go up to $10 at the door. See an FBLA member or cast member to purchase a ticket. A 50/50 raffle will also be held at the event, so bring extra cash to buy tickets. Concessions will be sold as well.  New this year is a parental advisory for the show: The CHS Talent Show is aimed at a high school age student audience, and some of the material may not be appropriate for students, 13-years-old and younger; children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult and are not allowed to attend the show without parental supervision. Cash prizes are awarded to the top five acts. For more information, contact CHS teacher Angila Golik at agolik@carson.k12.nv.us.

ATHLETES OF THE WEEK
CHS Athletic Department’s Feb. 4 through 8 Athletes of the Week are Sarah Wiggins for Girls Varsity Ski Team and Trevor Castillo for Boys Ski Team. 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
Chloe Vasquez is the CHS Student of the Week. She is a shoot for the stars type of student in that she is taking Honors English II, Honors Chemistry I, Honors World History, Honors Algebra II, Spanish II, Wind Ensemble, and Agriculture I. Chloe said, “I am a part of the CHS volleyball team, I play in the Pitt orchestra of the school musical, and I also made it into Honor Band.” Chloe wants people to know “Success is not defined by not making mistakes, but is being able to learn from those mistakes and truly love what you do.” In her free time, Chloe loves to spend as much time as possible with her family. Congratulations to Chloe Vasquez becoming the CHS Student of the Week.

SENIOR SPOTLIGHT
Pioneer High School’s Senior in the Spotlight is Christina Dame. Christina’s kind personality and hardworking nature make her an asset to her school. She has been attending PHS since her freshman year, and she has been quite successful as she has maintained a GPA of 3.3 and has been involved in many school activities.

As a leadership student, Christina was involved in planning and setting up for dances and other activities. In addition to leadership, she has also been involved in Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG), advanced art, and yoga.

Her favorite school subject is English. After high school, Christina plans on continuing her education first at WNC and then transferring to UNR in pursuit of a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership. Ultimately, she plans to teach English at a middle school or a high school. Christina, currently working part-time at Arby’s, has also spent time volunteering at Friends in Service Helping (FISH), and Classy Seconds Thrift Store. In her spare time, she likes to do arts and crafts, draw, and spend time with her friends. Christina has enjoyed her high school experience at PHS, especially the warm atmosphere and the welcoming teachers. She loves learning and enjoys a school setting. Perhaps, Christina will return to Carson City School District as a teacher someday.

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