Senator Square: Carson High School Speech and Debate students going to Kentucky

Carson High Speech and Debate had a busy Spring competition season, participating in online national rounds, the rotary speaking competition, and the national qualifier. At the Rotary competition, Jessica Knutson and Olivia VanReese Roering placed first and second at the club level event.

At the area contest, Olivia took first and Jessica placed second. Olivia will represent CHS at the April 30 district contest. In online competitions, Dennis Sharp, Abby Cook, Jameson Higgins, Arial Farias, and Cristina Lopez placed first or second in their respective events.

The national qualifier, over the course of three days at Reno High School, hosted schools across Northern Nevada. CHS had 11 students at the tournament, and all placed in the top 10 of their events with 10 advancing to final rounds. Setting a CHS record, seven students qualified to compete at Nationals this June in Kentucky. Seniors Jessica Knutson, David Mariscal Gonzalez, and Ryan Soulier will join two other Nevada students to represent the Sagebrush District in World Schools debate.

They will compete with both prepared and impromptu topics, requiring debaters to focus on specific issues rather than theory or procedural arguments. Carson's assistant coach Niki Clinger-Mobley has been selected by the district to lead this group at Nationals. VanReese Roering qualified in Program Oral Interpretation, and, utilizing a curation of literature, prose, poetry, drama, and news articles, Olivia's piece explores the fetishization of lesbian women in society. Viviana Castro qualified in Congressional debate where students meet in the same fashion legislative bodies would meet to discuss merits of proposed legislation.

This event requires much preparation, and students are often as effective as their state and national counterparts in terms of passing bills. Penelope Truell qualified to participate in Big Questions debate with the topic: on balance, societies benefit from religious belief and practice. Big Questions debate is where students discuss the harms or benefits of the topic. The Big Question topic remains the same all year allowing students to continue to develop their depth of knowledge on the specific subject area.

Abby Cook qualified in the speech event Dramatic Interpretation and Lincoln Douglas debate. Students may only compete in one event at nationals, and Abby opted for her interpretation piece titled "Glossy Eyed Sandra" to examine the harmful and secretive nature of eating disorders in America through the eyes of a teenage girl. Abby also won the prestigious Cronin Award at the district tournament, named for long time Douglas coach Marty Cronin who played a pivotal role in developing Speech and Debate in Northern Nevada.

The Cronin award is presented to the student at districts who performs best across both speech and debate events and is chosen by the executive committee of the Northern Nevada Forensic League. Abby is the first CHS student to win this award. The Cronin Award was presented to Abby by Marty's son and local speech and debate legend Mac Cronin. In preparing for Nationals, the team needs $15,000 to send seven students and two coaches to Louisville.

Fundraisers include the May 6 Debatable Extravaganza at the CHS Tech Center from 5:30 to 8. Dinner, raffle prizes, interactive performances, and presentations by national qualifiers will be at this event. Tickets are $10 and may be purchased in advance or at the door. The team is also hosting a Big Questions tournament at CHS May 7 from 9 a.m. to 2.

Community judges are being recruited, and this event is a fantastic opportunity to see debaters in action and to learn more about the CHS Speech and Debate program. The team is has set up a Gofundme titled "Carson High Debate Nationals 2022". For more information, contact CHS Social Studies teacher and Speech and Debate coach Patrick Mobley at mobley@carson.k12.nv.us.

FUTURE BUSINESS LEADERS OF AMERICA COMPETE IN RENO
Congratulations to Carson High’s FBLA students for their top 10 finishes at State in Reno April 24-26. Of 14 CHS students who competed, 12 qualified for Nationals in Chicago, having placed fourth or higher in an event. In Cyber security, Zach Nichols took tenth, in Healthcare Administration, Erin Peterson took second, in Intro to Business Communication, Hanna Kreizenbeck placed eighth, and Lindsey Kreizenbeck took sixth.

In Intro to Business Procedures, Hanna Kreizenbeck placed sixth, McKenzie Merrell took eighth, and Intro to FBLA has Dahlia Keating placing tenth and Hannah Kreizenbeck taking third. Todd Gosselin took sixth in Intro to Financial Math. McKenzie Merrell placed ninth in Journalism, and Lindsey Kreizenbeck took tenth. In Client Services, Hanna Kreizenbeck took fourth, in Data Analysis Eva Lindbloom placed fourth, in Hospitality Management Zaine Kirsch-Jackson, Sam Nichols, and Erik McKay placed fifth, and in Intro to Public Speaking, McKenzie Merrell placed fourth, and Hanna Kreizenbeck took tenth. With Intro to Social Media Strategies, Todd Gosselin, Dahlia Keating, and Alex Nerska placed fourth, McKenzie Merrell took second, and Zachary Nichols won first place to become State Champion.

For Job Interview, Zaine Kirsch Jackson took sixth, Sam Nichols placed second, Erik McKay took tenth, Todd Gosselin fifth, and Valeria Vega third. In Publication Design, Dalia Chavez-Lopez placed seventh, in Sales Presentation Lindsey Kreizenbeck placed fifth, and in Social Media Strategies Erin Peterson took sixth. For more information about FBLA, contact adviser Angila Golik at agolik@carson.k12.nv.us.

BAND PERFORMS AT CERRITOS COLLEGE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
According to CHS Band Director Nick Jacques, “Every spring, now that things are normalish again, our band students will perform out-of-state, and this year, we are performing in Southern California April 28-30.” Jacques went on to say, “These groups will participate in a clinic at Cerritos College, compete at a judged band festival, and perform at a backstage recording session workshop in Disneyland; these students have worked hard to earn this privilege, and I expect them to have worked just as hard in all their other classes as well.” Jacques is grateful, as always, to CHS teachers for supporting the hard working Blue Thunder Band members. For more information, please email Mr. Jacques at njacques@carson.k12.nv.us.

GET A YEARBOOK WHILE THE GETTING IS GOOD
The yearbook has been submitted for publication, and it celebrates the themes of “Together Again” and “The 150th year of Carson High School.” In addition, the yearbook staff added 40 pages to the book for the same price. To purchase a yearbook, go to yearbookforever.com, search for Carson High School, select shop, and then select buy a yearbook. Like last year, it will sell out, so do not miss out on this unique opportunity. For more information, please email Yearbook and Digital Media Adviser Cynthia Mills at cmills@carson.k12.nv.us.

SCHOLARSHIPS OF INTEREST TO STUDENTS AND PARENTS
The 2021-2022 school year is almost finished, so it is more than wise for seniors to check out the latest Senator Scholarship Scoop at carsonhigh.com. Visitors simply click Academics, Counseling Department, and The Scoop. Three amazing and available scholarship opportunities due by April 30 are the Carson City Rotary, unlimited amount, the International Virtual Learning Academy for $1,000, and The Foster Children Education Foundation, unlimited, scholarships.

ENGLISH LEARNER ADVISORY TEAM TO MEET AT EMPIRE ELEMENTARY
The ELA Team provides input regarding effective ways to support English Learners and former ELs in fully participating in all school activities. This team, comprised of EL specialists, paraprofessionals, teachers, district leaders, students, and parents, will meet one last time May 4, from 3:45 to 5:00 at Empire Elementary School, 1260 Monte Rosa Drive in Carson City.

On behalf of Assistant Director of Equity and EL Programming with the Carson City School District, Dr. Tanya Scott and the students served by the CCSD EL Program, thanks. Contact Dr. Scott with questions or if planning to attend. Those wishing to join the team virtually may obtain information for joining the meeting via Zoom upon request. For more information, contact Dr. Tanya Scott at tscott@carson.k12.nv.us. or 283-1507.

ATHLETES OF THE WEEK
CHS Athletic Department's Athletes of the Week are Zane Ferguson for varsity Track and Field and Caydee Farnworth for varsity Softball. 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 Melanie Burnett, a sophomore, on being nominated CHS Student of the Week. According to her nominating teacher, “Melanie is a delightful young lady who, even though she was in my class last year, still goes out of her way to say hello; teachers know why I would say this.” The teacher also said, “She plans to attend UNR for her undergraduate degree and UC Davis for her graduate degree, as her ultimate goal is to become a veterinarian.” Unlike many of the students who attend CHS, Melanie is very involved; she is a member of Blue Crew, a member of the American Sign Language club, a member of Future Farmers of America, and, in her free time, she likes to read, hang out with friends and family, and go swimming and hiking. Congratulations to Melanie Burnett on becoming CHS Student of the Week.

SENIOR IN THE SPOTLIGHT
This week’s Carson High Senior in the Spotlight shines on Kyra Fields. Kyra is an excellent student who consistently takes challenging courses, thus increasing her rigorous approach to every subject, each year. Kyra is much more than merely a hard-working student as well; she is an extremely talented musician and an integral part of the CHS community. Kyra has been involved in National Honor Society, CHS Band, and American Sign Language classes throughout her high school career.

Through NHS, she has helped with multiple service projects at school and throughout the community. In Band, Kyra has spent all four years playing clarinet in the wind ensemble, Carson High’s advanced Band class. She performed in the All-State Band for two years and performed a Mozart solo in the Salute to Young Musicians through the Carson City Community Band.

Kyra is also completing her fourth year of American Sign Language, which will grant her several college credits through Western Nevada College. In the future, Kyra aspires to be a screenwriter. She plans to attend the University of Nevada, Reno where she will major in English. Screenwriters who inspire Kyra include Christopher Nolan, Charlie Kaufman, and Sylvester Stallone. Congratulations Kyra, Carson High is so very proud of you!

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