Senator Square: A symphony of students perform at UNR’s Nightingale Hall

The CHSD Orchestra, under the direction of Brian Fox, participated in the Washoe County School District High School Orchestra Festival 2017 at UNR’s Nightingale Hall. Judges from Sacramento and the Bay Area rated this group alongside similar groups from the Reno and Sparks area.

Orchestra members began preparing for the March 10 event in December. According to Fox, “They sounded fantastic and were an audience favorite.” The group also performed at the Northern Zone Nevada Music Educators Association Band Festival Mar 2 in Carson City.

The Carson City Schools Orchestra Program is growing, and they just added a dedicated Strings teacher, Dr. Fox; they will also be adding another section of Orchestra to the CCSD Course Schedule for 2017-18 at Carson High School. Dr. Fox also directs the programs at Carson MS and Eagle Valley MS.

He is grateful for invaluable help received from the Carson City Symphony Association and the Band Directors at his three schools: Bill Zabelsky, Nicolas Jacques, and Jon Brill, not to mention CHS Choral Director, Andy Sonnemaker. Brian Fox, PhD, is the String Orchestra Director for CHS, CMS, and EVMS. Students, Ivy Campbell, Kyle Campbell, Gavin Cerniglia, Sophia Choat, Gabriel Covington, Riley Dunn, Hallery Ferrini, Ashley Harris, Chloe Hataway, Kevin Hyatt, Rheanna Jackson, Peggy Jutras, Juliet Kahue, Joline Kinzel, Kacey Lopes, Sy'Johnniqa Moore, Tai Phan, Lissette Rivas, Ulani Rizo, Emma Rosen, Nick Rosen, Eleanor Sturm, and Fabian Ventura performed.

Mr. Carson High
The 2017 winner of Mr. Carson High is senior Curtis Basa with his smashing of brick and mortar bare-handed. Competition for this auspicious title, Vegas style, took place Mar. 10 at the Carson City Community Center, and it was a packed house too. So as to spice up the facts a bit more, great prizes and great fun were had by all. Other winners were Almost Mr. Carson High, Danny Dudley, Nearly Mr. Carson High, Rylan Kane, Mr. Personality, Ben Miller, Mr. Photogenic, Danny Dudley, and People’s Choice Awards, Curtis Basa.

Emcees for the event were Jay Biggs and Hannah Taylor, and Judges for Mr. Carson High were Mayor Bob Crowell, Sheriff Ken Furlong, Jake Armer, Kirk Caraway, and Nick Marano.

CHS Cheer is also grateful to the following Carson City community businesses: Big 5 Sporting Goods, Pizza Factory, Bully’s, Starbucks, Mom & Pop’s, Avon Christi Hines-Coates, Flash Me Photography, Lula Roe With Leslie Ann Dixon, High Desert Hair, Bodine’s, Carson Coffee, Wheel House, Data Graphics, Wooden Toy Dudes, Carson Street Tailoring and Tuxedo, TNT Photography, Papa Johns Pizza, Grocery Outlet, Carson City Florist, Ami’s Beauty Salon, Bella Hair Salon, Ron’s Refrigeration, Studio One Massage, Alsco Linens, Glisken Skincare, Chili’s, Papa Murphy’s, The Fox Brewpub, Subway, Dick Campagni’s Capitol Ford, Costco Wholesale, Olive Garden, Buffalo Wild Wings Grill and Bar, Qdoba Mexican Grill, Northern Nevada Coin, Gold Dust West, Grandma Hattie’s Restaurant, and the Carson Athletic Department, Administration, Culinary Arts, Leadership, Web Design, Judicial Club, ROTC, and Yearbook.

Speech and Debate
Carson High School Speech and Debate competed in the state tournament at Spring Valley High School last weekend with a total of 36 schools and an average of 45 entries per event. Sadie Share and Evan Cherpeski placed 9th overall in Public Forum on the topic of Pressuring Israel to Pursue the Two State Solution. Teammates Shaylin Segura and Alek Henricksen placed 9th overall in Public Forum, and Adam Lackey and Jocelyn Manzano placed 7th overall in Duo Interpretation with their piece "The Worst Breakups of all Time". Sawyer Barnett placed 2nd overall in Lincoln Douglas debate with the topic of whether or not the US should guarantee a right to housing. Barnett is now the top ranked debater in all of Northern Nevada. The team is preparing for April’s district tournament to play for spots to Nationals.

Prom Flowers
The CHS Floral Shop is selling wristlets and boutonnieres for prom, and a standard combo package is $45 which includes a wristlet armband and boutonniere. A customized order, the Custom Combo Package, is $50. Orders are due Mar. 27. To place an order, contact Mr. Mann at room 161 or ask to speak with a floral student at the Student Store.

A Magical Moment Father and Daughter Dance
On Mar. 31 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., CHS, along with clubs SkillsUSA, Photo, Leadership, Culinary Arts, and Future Business Leaders of America, is hosting “The Father / Daughter Ball”. This is a community-wide fundraising event open to all ages…yes, all ages, and it is on a Friday. What better time for a father to create an unforgettable lifetime memory for himself and his daughter.

Tickets are $40 per couple and an additional $10 for each additional daughter. Only cash or checks will be accepted. Tickets went on sale Feb. 27, and they may be purchased from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the main office, or through the mail and will be kept at will-call until the night of the event. Send a check to CHS, Attention Angila Golik, P.O. Box 603, Carson City, NV 89702. Professional photos will also be available for an additional $15 per sheet at the event. Princess Jasmine, Aladdin and the Genie will be at this event as well, along with light desserts being served, so let the excitement begin by attending. Please email agolik@carson.k12.nv.us with questions.

CHIP Incentive Program
CHS is proud to announce the following Perfect Attendance Award winners for February, 2017. The 10 randomly selected winners are: Cody Black grade 11; Erin Cartier, grade 9 (not pictured); Peng Chen, 10 grade 10; Lindsay Chowanski, grade 9; Gary Cortes Solis, grade 9 (not pictured); Trevor Dawley, grade 10; Gabriel Gabica, grade 11 (not pictured); Ethan Good, grade 11; Darby Griffin, grade 12 (not pictured). The Third Quarter Perfect Attendance Award winners. The 10 randomly selected winners for the 3rd quarter of the 2016 - 2017 school year at CHS are: Aaron Hanks, grade 9; Chloe Hataway, grade 11; Nancy Henricksen, grade 11; Cameron Rudy, grade 10 (not pictured); Natalia Smith, grade 10; Matthew Tenney, grade 9; Fabian Ventura, grade 10 (not pictured); Zachary Vestal, grade 11; Kiara Williams, grade 10 (not pictured); Richard Wright, grade 9 (not pictured). Each student was awarded a certificate and a movie ticket to Galaxy Fandango. To be academically successful, good attendance is essential. 

WNC Bridge to Success Accuplacer Testing

Seniors planning to attend Western Nevada College next year need to take the Accuplacer. WNC will be at CHS Mar. 30, 31, and Apr 3 to administer the test. Stop by the Guidance Office to make an appointment.

Student of the Week
Hailey Benson is the CHS Student of the Week. She has shown an understanding in all of her classes and is succeeding in all of her classes as well. Hailey is a strong student and rises above all the obstacles she has come in contact with. She is an overcomer, and CHS thanks Hailey Benson for all she has done and is continuing to do; she is making all of the right choices.

— Senator Square columnist Phil Brady is an English teacher at Carson High School