Senator Square: There's so many selfless students at Carson High School

It is, really all the time, difficult to believe there are any problems at all in this world, in America, with so many thoughts, hopes, dreams, love, and actions of effort given to others by others. Look at the number of National "Monthofs" in April.

There is the National Month of TAR Syndrome Awareness, Brunch Month Afternoon Tea, Alcohol Awareness, English Language, Esophageal Cancer Awareness, Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness, National Month of Hope, National Canine Fitness, National Financial Literacy. National Internship Awareness, Distracted Driving Awareness, National Child Abuse Awareness, National Donate Life Awareness, National Cannabis Awareness, National Fair Housing, Month of the Military Child, International Guitar, Keep America Beautiful, Lawn and Garden, National Autism Awareness, National Couple Appreciation, National Decorating, National Fresh Celery, National Garden, National Humor, National Jazz Appreciation, National Soft Pretzel, National Soy Foods, National Straw Hat, National Parkinson’s Awareness, National Poetry, National Pecan, National Volunteer, National Welding, Occupational Therapy, Records and Information Management, Scottish-American Heritage, Sexual Assault Awareness, Stress Awareness, National Safe Digging, World Landscape Architecture, and World Sarcoidosis Awareness.

Well, Carson High School is doing its part too. Senatorsnow news anchor Mario Morgan Meza announced CHS’ Blue Crew is working very hard to rebuild its program after the last couple of interrupted years, and they could use some help. Know some kind, selfless, generous, students who would benefit from getting involved at CHS? Please encourage them to apply to Blue Crew.

What does a Blue Crew leader do at CHS? Blue Crew Leaders are trained to work with next years’ incoming freshmen class as well as other new students who are entering Carson High. After going through training, new and experienced Blue Crew leaders play a vital role before school starts in August during CHS Freshmen Orientation. It is hard to imagine another school year is just about to pass by, and students in eighth grade will soon be entering ninth. Freshman Orientation is Aug. 9, and before the 2022-2023 school year gets underway, it is mandatory for all Blue Crew leaders to attend.

Welcoming freshmen and new students to CHS is crucial in building a strong and lasting foundation for students, and Blue Crew’s positive and friendly manner will ultimately contribute to the exciting culture of CHS and its community of members from all walks of life. For more information, please email Ms. Bailee bbarber@carson.k12.nv.us or Ms. Kristen kkellogg@carson.k12.nv.us. We are happy to answer your questions. Part one of The Blue Crew application is found by going here. Applications are posted in grade level Google Classrooms. CHS plays jazz Friday mornings before school in Senator Square.

CARSON CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT LIBRARIANS BUSY THIS WEEK
Carson City School District library week activities across the District are plentiful. Fritsch Elementary’s Adriane Wacker said, “I am randomly choosing students in all grades every day this week to come pick out a book to take home; I received many book donations and am able to share with students.” Carson Middle School’s Mirjam Caster said, “We are in the middle of our spring book fun competition...the students can win points for their encores by completing bookish activities and reading, and the winning encore class wins an ice cream party.”

Eagle Valley Middle School’s Stacey Myrehn said, “We are having a blackout poetry contest” and Mark Twain’s Susan Ikehara said, “Our staff joyfully jumped in and volunteered for our fair, and I was able to meet and greet parents and build connections; invaluable time with them is so fulfilling on all levels, and this week we are discussing libraries, including the library of Congress, and their importance to all of us” — Contributed by Library Media Specialist Ananda Campbell

TRAVEL AROUND THE WORLD WITH CHS TEACHER BENJAMIN SPENCE
“Well, we have a great deal going on this summer. CHS teacher Benjamin Spence offered two trips; the first one to Peru was supposed to happen last summer, but it was derailed due to Covid, so he now has a group of seven students, along with his sister Gina Spence.

They are leaving for 11 days on July 12. Here's the itinerary: eftours.com/eliterature/dbd/t/pml.pdf see page three for the two day extension. However, before this, Spence has 19 travelers, a really cool mix of students, some of their parents, even grandparents, and chaperone Ms. Lindsay Jiles coming to Egypt for 10 days June 21. Coming up next summer, June 21, 2023, Spence has a group of over 20 going to Vietnam for 13 days: explorica.com/Spence-2686. This is a mix of students, former students, and their family members. This one will be super cool. Lastly, for now lol, on July 6, 2024, Spence is pleased to announce he just opened a world-class eleven-day trip to Japan: eftours.com/2540592sb.

See the itinerary on page three. The two-day extension is built into the trip as is the excursion to Joypolis Indoor Theme Park. Spence is especially glad to visit the site of Hiroshima on this trip. Want to go? Students have over two years to pay. Also, Spence is offering a discount of up to $200 on the trip when advertising begins post Spring Break. CHS Teacher Benjamin Spence is an AP Seminar, Honors US History, World History, Adult Education, and Special Education: Gifted and Talented Endorsed Educator at CHS. He may be reached at bspence@carson.k12.nv.us.

SCHOLARSHIPS FOR CHS PARENTS AND STUDENTS TO CONSIDER
Below are two opportunities available just for completing financial literacy lessons in EVERFI!
Leadingcon Educación Scholarship Contest Intuit TurboTax and EVERFI have partnered with the Hispanic Heritage Foundation to empower the next generation of Latino students to take control of their finances through the #Leading-ConEducación program.

This program will allow 40 high school students to obtain educational scholarships in the amount of a $2,500 529 savings plan. Students must complete the Intuit TurboTax Tax Simulation within the EVERFI: Financial Literacy digital course by going to everfi.com/courses/k-12/financial-literacy-high-school/. They will also submit a short 200 to 500-word essay about their learning. Application deadline is May 8. Additional details and scholarship application here. All FutureSmart students are eligible to enter the scholarship contest for an opportunity to be awarded a gift card to a 529 college savings plan.

Throughout the school year, a total of twenty students will receive a $2,000 gift card, and two grand prize winners will receive a $5,000 529 savings gift card. Students must complete three FutureSmart lessons and write a short summary answering a question about their learning experience. Learn more here. Schedule a meeting here.

For more information, call or email Social Studies and Financial Literacy and Multicultural Digital and Distance Learning World Language Co-Administrator, Nevada Digital Learning Collaborative| NvDLC | @DigitalNevada Nevada Department of Education Office of Standards and Instructional Support Jaynie Malorni at 702-473-0140 or jmalorni@doe.nv.gov, nvfinlit.org at SocialstudiesNV.

FREE 2022 ROBOTICS TRAINING ON VEX GO ELEMENTARY AGE ROBOTICS
All pre-service teachers, in-service teachers, TEAM UP teachers, 4-H leaders, Boys and Girls Club leaders, and those who work with elementary students, join Desert Research Institute’s Nevada Robotics program April 12 from 5 to 8 p.m. for a free, hands-on training event to build, then code, a VEX GO robot designed for elementary students and explore the associated STEM labs.

Dinner will be provided, and participants will leave with a better understanding of computer science and STEM concepts. Bring a laptop or Smartphone to 190 East Liberty Street, Reno, NV 89501. Sign up by going to https://tinyurl.com/AprilVexGo.

CARSON CITY COMMUNITY FATHER-DAUGHTER DANCE ALMOST HERE
Hercules and Megara are coming to CHS for “A Mystical Evening in Greece” Annual Father-Daughter Ball, a Carson City community-wide event for all ages April 22 from 6 to 9 p.m. in the Big Gym. Tickets are $40 per father and daughter and an additional $10 for each additional daughter. The event has sold out each year and will definitely sell out this year.

Tickets may be purchased by going here. Tickets may also be purchased in person at the CHS Big Gym entrance. Only cash or checks will be taken for in-person ticket purchases. Also, actors will be taking professional photos of fathers and their little princesses for an additional cost of $15 per sheet with varying sizes from which to choose, and light desserts will be served at the dance.

Cash or check will be accepted. Photos must be paid for at the event. This event is a fundraiser for Future Business Leaders of America, SkillsUSA Web Design, Leadership, and Photography. Please email CHS teacher Angila Golik at agolik@carson.k12.nv.us for more information.

SAFE GRAD CELEBRATION AND TRIP TO SIX FLAGS ALMOST HERE
Safe Grad, coming in June, is still on and will enforce all mandates the community center and bus regulations have in place. Currently, there are no regulations. Volunteers are needed for this very important event, which cannot take place without the wonderful and needed support of parents and community volunteers.

The Signup for Safe Grad night will be available in April, and the link will be posted on the website. For the Safe Grad volunteer coordinator, please call Kyra Hinton at 434-760-0635, or email chsgbvolunteer@gmail.com. Applications for Safe Grad night and the gradation trip to Six Flags will be going out March 14 and are due back no later than May 1.

Additionally, April 2 is the Safe and Sober 5k. Hinton said, “We are looking for sponsors, runners and donated items to reach our goal of 10k.” The run will take place at CHS, and contacts for the Safe and Sober race are to be directed to Race Coordinator Jordan Crittenden, 841-0154, Raffle Coordinator Jeanette Glauner, 230-1287, and race.safegrad@gmail.com.

OLD YEARBOOKS, NEW YEARBOOKS, DIGITAL MEDIA
There are only two pages left to fill for senior ads. Parents, there is still time, one more chance, to create a senior ad, so please do so ASAP. Pricing and sizes vary; go to yearbookforever.com, search for Carson High School, select shop, and then click on senior ads. Please email CHS Language Arts teacher and Yearbook Adviser Cynthia Mills at cmills@carson.k12.nv.us for more information.

ATHLETES OF THE WEEK
CHS Athletic Department's Athletes of the Week are Addison Morgan and Nickolas Batien for varsity Track and Field. 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
Congratulations to Matthew Mendoza, a senior, on being nominated CHS Student of the Week. According to his Science Fiction and Fantasy senior English teacher, “Matthew is respectful, has perfect attendance, and actually stays after class to discuss his grade, performance, and questions with me.” The teacher added, “Matthew has great plans for his future; he will attend Universal Technical Institute, Inc. a private for-profit system of technical colleges throughout the United States as it is his goal to work for Dolan Auto Group as an automotive technician.” Matthew enjoys playing soccer, hiking, and fishing in his free time. “Students like Matthew are those who set CHS at the top of Nevada high schools.” Congratulations to Matthew Mendoza in standing out so much so his teacher took time to nominate him CHS Student of the Week.

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