Senator Square: Carson High congratulates Certified Employee of the Year Lavon Sollberger

She does so much! Congratulations to Carson High School’s Lavon Sollberger on being awarded Certified Employee of the Year. Lavon, an Administrative Specialist, upon the receiving of her award said “I have no need for a web cam or microphone on my computer; at a recent virtual staff meeting, my speakers experienced a case of the hiccups, and I lost the sound, so off to a co-worker’s office I went observing social distancing rules and sitting on the far side of the office just to listen to the staff meeting.”

Lavon continued, “Since working at CHS, my vote for classified staff of the year has always been spot on, so when Principal Chambers announced my name, and not the person I had voted for, I was totally surprised, and my first thought was bummer, my winning voting streak was over, but wow, what a way to lose and win at the same time.”

After being awarded CHS Certified Employee of the Year, Lavon was asked by Chambers whether or not she would like to say something. “Well, those who know me,” Lavon says about herself, “know I am far from ever speechless.” However, Lavon went on to say, “With a mask on, and from across the room, and with my coworker pointing the laptop in my direction, it was a bit difficult; to my equally deserving and exceptional colleagues at CHS, I say thank you and am truly grateful to receive this recognition; it is a great honor and a cherry on top of what is already a pretty awesome sundae.”

Lavon added, “I have the privilege of working with students, staff and families not only at the high school, but with other district locations.” Her primary job is dealing with all things Infinite Campus, the CHS student information platform, helping create the course schedule for nearly 2400 students, over 100 teachers with so many courses, assisting families in completing their online updates so information is current, and setting up access for parents and guardians to monitor student progress.

This is just the beginning, and Lavon could not love it more. “It can be a little chaotic and crazy at times making me feel my age, all while being surrounded by the youth and energy of CHS.”

Prior to working at CHS, Sollberger worked at Fritsch Elementary, loving the glitter of kindergarten in the front office. She said, “My two sons had graduated from CHS and gave me “permission” to work at CHS, so I was fortunate to begin working as the Senior Project Coordinator and Library Assistant before accepting my current position as Administrative Office Specialist.”

Sollberger said, “This has been a year turned upside down,” and she added, “Do not let my husband or boys know that they are not the sole contributors to the growing amount of grey hair appearing on my head.” Lavon wants to make sure everyone knows how much she loves being a part of CHS.

“Outweighing any craziness, there is great joy in sharing in the celebrations of success both small and large, and I am looking forward to the next few years working at a job I love, the job I look forward to each day with such a fantastic community.”

Lavon Sollberger may not realize it, but she is one of the linchpins which holds Carson High School together. Without her, well, we do not want to think about that.    

SPEECH AND DEBATE STUDENTS QUALIFY FOR NATIONALS
Carson High Debate competed in the district tournament over Spring Break. In the tournament, Jessica Knutson and Evelyn Manzano qualified to compete in the national tournament. Jessica qualified in Original Oratory with her piece on children and teens who suffer from Tourette's Syndrome, and Evelyn qualified in Program Oral Interpretation combing poetry, literature, drama, and current events in a piece on how to love yourself. The national tournament will be held online this year June 13 through 18. 

ENJOY LIVESTREAMED FESTIVAL OF CONCERTS
Festival of Concerts livestreamed links are available in the days leading up to Spring Break. Orchestra students were excited to be able to demonstrate their learning through performance. Please take a moment to tune in and enjoy the fruit of their efforts.

Carson Middle School beginning may be seen by going to youtu.be/SenEbYHOSHM; CMS advanced: may be seen by going to youtu.be/BFc9nqPG-H8; Eagle Valley Middle School may be seen by going to youtu.be/GIjP7hcAjz8; Carson High School Concert may be seen by going to youtu.be/lEzNcg_55CY, and CHS Chamber may be seen by going to youtu.be/u2xekCS4yBI.

For more information about these events, please contact Carson City Schools Orchestra Director Brian Fox, PhD at bfox@carson.k12.nv.us, or call him at 775-283-1779.

REGISTER FOR 2021-2022 CHS FALL CHEER
Hello to CHS’ current ninth, 10th-grade, and 11th-grade students, along with Carson Middle, Eagle Valley Middle, and Private School current eighth-grade students, from Coach Sheila Story. “I would love for you to join our Cheer Team for the 2021-2022 school year, so if you are interested in trying out, please go to registermyathlete.com, and complete all the sections of the registration.”

The deadline is April 19 at 7:00 a.m. Tryouts will take place April 21 through April 24 at CHS. Story added, “We will also send an email through Register My Athlete with tryout information, and we will also be starting a CHS Cheer Tryout Band App where athletes will find tryout cheers, dances, and the CHS School Song to learn, and the coaches will also post weekly challenges to help athletes prepare for tryouts.”

Students and parents, please send Coach Story an email, if interested, at sstory@carson.k12.nv.us, or call her at 720-9583 with any questions. At this time of great need for safety, good health, and well-being, please stay at home, drink plenty of water, wash hands frequently, do not touch the eyes, and wipe down all surfaces.

SAFE SCHOOL PROFESSIONALS MY TRUSTED ADULT CAMPAIGN
The School Social Workers are continuing to work with a group of students to lead six campaigns relating to protective factors against suicide.

This month they are asking students and teachers about their Trusted Adults, and everyone gets a chance to win a gift card of their choice. A Trusted Adult is someone to turn to for support, and, as the saying goes, “You know they have your back and are there for you when you need it most.” The assignment is to think about the Trusted Adults and submit a post at bit.ly/mytrustedadult telling SSPs about one of the Trusted Adults and what makes them so trusted.

Posts need to be submitted by April 16 for a chance to win a gift card. Teachers are also encouraged to join CHS students in writing. Current times have been difficult for many and, although society is moving towards safe and positive change, many feel more isolated and disconnected than ever. When concerned for someone, remember it is important to Acknowledge, listen to each other; do not ignore their concern, Care, let friends know they are cared for, and Tell, tell a trusted adult about concerns about friends (ACT).

If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, or needs support, please reach out to the following resources: Crisis Support SafeVoice Nevada for all concerned students, parents, and teachers at safevoicenv.org/; Rural Mobile Crisis Response Team for crisis support through video at knowcrisis.com/, or call 702-486-7865; Crisis Support Services of Nevada at 1-800-273-8255, Text CARE to 839863, or visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ to chat; Nevada Crisis Line at 784-8090; Crisis Text Line at text HOME to 741741; 911 for life threatening emergencies only.

For information about this and other events like it, please contact Alejandra Ayala, MSW, LSW, CHS Social Worker II at aayala-ayala@carson.k12.nv.us, call her at 283-1834, or schedule a Virtual Office appointment at bit.ly/alejandraoffice.

SCHOLARSHIPS FOR CHS SENIORS
The Daughters of Norway Scholarship from The Queen Maud Lodge No. 42 is offering this to a female senior of Nordic heritage. Applicants must plan to attend a college, university, technical school or vocational school in fall of 2021, must have a GPA of 2.7 or better.

The Nevada Association of Conservation Districts $500 Scholarship is awarded to a graduating senior who will be pursuing an education in agriculture, renewable natural resources or a related field. The Soroptimist Girl of the Month Scholarship is available only to CHS students on their chromebook devices. Every month, they choose one applicant to honor at a luncheon where they get to know a little about her and her accomplishments; one girl is chosen as the overall winner for the year and receives a monetary scholarship.

The American Legion's Legacy Scholarships are available to children of post-911 veterans who died on active duty, or who have a VA disability rating of 50 percent or greater. The Western Nevada Cattlewomen Scholarship, up to $5,000, is being offered to a graduating senior who plans to pursue an agricultural related field of interest in their continuing education. Students must have at least a 3.3 unweighted GPA. The Nevada Broadcaster’s Scholarship for students planning to major in broadcast journalism radio or television are invited to apply for a scholarship to cover full-tuition for one year. The above scholarship applications must be completed and to the sponsor by April 15.

ATHLETIC EVENTS
April 15, CHS Varsity Softball and Baseball will play Douglas at 3:45 and 4:00 p.m. at Douglas High School, and April 17 they will play a double-header at 11:00 against Damonte Ranch at DRHS, and CHS Varsity Track & Field will play Douglas and Spanish Springs April 17 at CHS beginning at 9:00 a.m.

ATHLETE IN THE SPOTLIGHT
CHS Athletic Department’s Athlete of the Week is Rachel Wolz for Varsity Girls Tennis. 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 Veronica Villeda, a junior, for being nominated as the CHS Student of the Week. CHS American Sign Language Instructor Tauni R. Judd said, “Veronica is such a hard worker and her effort is so commendable.” Judd also added, “She arrives to class with a positive attitude and big smile on her face daily, and she asks questions and checks in with me frequently; her self-advocacy and communication skills are so appreciated, especially during this crazy hybrid learning time.”

Employees within Carson City School District nominate the CHS Student of the Week, and it is often the students’ teachers who do the nominating though anyone in the district may do so by sending an email to pbrady@carson.k12.nv.us.

SENIOR IN THE SPOTLIGHT
The Senior Spotlight this week is Gabriel Madera. Gabe is an outstanding senior at CHS, maintaining excellent grades during his freshman, sophomore, junior, and the first semester of his senior year. He has taken both Honors and AP classes while maintaining a 4.09 weighted GPA.

He is actively involved in CHS Wrestling as well as participating in his Young Adults Church Group, practicing jiu-jitsu, working at Clickbond in their engineering department as well as working at Aloha Medicinals in manufacturing.

Gabe plans on attending Western Nevada College in the fall to obtain his Associate of Science Degree, then transferring to University of Nevada, Reno and obtaining his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degree in mechanical engineering. With Gabe’s determination and above average work ethic, there is no doubt he will succeed in achieving his future goals — Contributed by CHS Counselor Fawn Lewis.

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