Senator Square: Carson High cadets host Naval Ball, plus nurses and music student honored

On April 17, members of the Carson High School Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps gathered together for a night of camaraderie and tradition at the Annual Naval Ball. The battalion was very apprehensive about hosting the Military Ball this year with the challenges COVID-19.

Both the Naval Ball Committee and the NJROTC Naval Science Instructors: LCDR Meyer, SCPO Skirvin, and CPO Ingram, following CDC guidelines, worked tirelessly to prepare for the night and ensure everything would run smoothly in order to be able to conclude the year with the Annual Military Ball. As a group, the Naval Ball Committee helped to piece together each detail throughout the night and made a large impact on its successful outcome. Despite the challenges, the cadets had a ball.

Arriving at the Carson Nugget the night of the event, cadets were visibly excited and immediately began to converse with each other. The ball was the first battalion-wide event this year able to be hosted; it was a great experience for all who attended.

Cadet Gerow said, “I really liked the aspect of ceremony and the sense of togetherness that we were able to experience and create as it really has been too long.” This sentiment is something in which most of the cadets in NJROTC agreed.

The battalion was also pleased to welcome Guest of Honor, CHS Physical Education Department Chair Jennifer Minifie, to take part in the night's proceedings. Overall, the dedication set forward by NJROTC cadets was admirable, and their determination like no other. Anything that the battalion sets its mind to is easily achievable, and with much enthusiasm, greatness is achieved. — Contributed by NJROTC Cadet Trinity Harvey.

NATIONAL SCHOOL NURSE DAY
Since May 12, 1972, National School Nurse Day, the Wednesday of National Nurses Week, has been set aside to honor all school nurses who care for children in their schools every day. CHS School Assistant Nurse Wendy Bacon said, “I want to give a shout-out to one of the hardest, most dedicated nurses I know, Sheila Story.”

Bacon added about Story, “You are an inspiration to all nurses, and I have never known someone who works as hard as you and goes above and beyond to be there for others; thank you for everything you have taught and done for me throughout our years together…I appreciate you every day.”

School nurses promote learning through healthy children, school nurses are often the first place a student thinks to go when they do not feel well, and, of course, school nurses are the first place teachers and students think about visiting when they have been hurt.

CHS Administrative Secretary Kim Arnold said, “Thank you staff for supporting our Nurse, Sheila Story, and her assistant, Wendy Bacon.” Because of the staff’ generosity, “each will be enjoying a day at the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa” Arnold added.

CHS Nurse Sheila Story said, “Good evening CHS faculty and staff, thank you for the kind words and a Spa Day at the Atlantis; I will truly enjoy a day of peace and relaxation.” Story explained the past 16 months have been a learning experience for everyone with increased workload and responsibility, and Story noted how everyone at CHS has worked together to provide a safe and healthy learning environment for student success.

Story said, “I cannot think of another group of hard-working individuals I would want to work with and call family, so thank you for your support, kindness, and generosity; let's finish this year strong and enjoy some well-deserved time off.”

KYRA FIELDS PLACES THIRD IN ROTARY MUSIC COMPETITION
CHS Junior Kyra Fields placed third in the final District Rotary Music Competition. Kyra, a clarinet player, performs in the CHS Wind Ensemble and has also participated in the Nevada All-State Band. She has played clarinet since fifth grade.

The purpose of the Rotary Music Competition is to determine the solo/individual musician who best demonstrates a musical talent and love for music. Prize money is awarded at each level of competition, the winners from each level go on to compete at the area level, and then the District Finals.

Kyra won the local level with a $100 prize, then won the area level with a $200 prize, and participated in the Rotary District 5190 finals, winning a $250 third place prize. This year's contest featured pre-recorded student-submitted videos, and everyone in the Carson City community may listen to Kyra's performance by going to youtube.com/watch?v=ksgK_aYry0A&feature=youtu.be. — Contributed by CHS Band Director Nicolas Jacques.

SPRING MUSICAL ANNIE STREAMING THROUGH MAY 31
Annie, the CHS Virtual Spring Musical, will be streaming online through May 31. Tickets are $10 general and $5 for students; this allows a 48-hour access to the musical at showtix4u.com/event-details/51838. CHS students’ first live performance this year will be "Shakespeare in the Park" at 6 p.m. May 27 outside the Nevada State Capitol Amphitheatre located just outside the legislature building.

This year's event will include scenes from several Shakespeare romances including The Tragedy of Romeo & Juliet, Much Ado About Nothing, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and more. This event is free to the public, and masks and social distancing are required. For more information about this event, please email CHS Theatre Arts teacher Andi Wilkerson at awilkerson@chs.k12.nv.us.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
CHS Athletic Department’s Athletes of the Week are Corine Doran, a sophomore, for Varsity Girls Softball, Thomas Burchett, a freshman, for Varsity Boys Golf, and Kai Miller and Natalyn Wakeling 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 Mia Rosas on being named CHS Student of the Week. According to someone close to her, “Mia loves animals and wants to be a veterinarian.” Mia is completing 10th grade at CHS and is working toward a fine arts mention on her high school diploma. She has two older siblings and many cousins who graduated from CHS.

One of her goals over summer break is to acquire her driving permit, go to Texas to visit family, and welcome two kittens to the family. Employees within Carson City School District are asked to 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. Congratulations, Mia, on being nominated CHS Student of the Week. With 2400 students at CHS, receiving this acknowledgement is quite an accomplishment.

SENIOR IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Third generation Senator Chase Wixon, the last Senior in the Spotlight for this school year, is one of the many outstanding seniors at Carson High. Chase epitomizes the student who is ready to go out and be successful in college and career. He is responsible, seeks assistance when he needs it, goal oriented, collaborates and has excellent communication skills.

Chase has a strong commitment to his education, placing academics first and maintaining a GPA of 4.388. Chase enrolled in the Jump Start program as a junior which requires him to take a full schedule of college courses. Because of his passion for photography, he maintained enrollment in CHS’ Photography classes and is currently completing Photo Advanced Studies.

This culminates a 4-year commitment for which he will be honored with a College and Career Ready diploma and a Certificate of Skill Attainment for Photography from the Department of Education. Chase requested his teacher/mentor Mrs. Ferrin be included in his photograph to recognize the impact she has had on him. Mrs Ferrin shares “I have watched Chase grow from an unsure, extremely quiet boy into a confident, talented young man. He is a person who seeks feedback and truly does his best to better himself and his work; he is motivated to succeed, is kind, thoughtful, loyal, and well respected by his peers and teachers.

To attend his dream college, Chase began doing portrait photography as a side job. I'm so very proud of all of Chase's accomplishments and I know he will do amazing things in the years to come”. In addition to his photography business, Chase has worked afternoons for 2 years at BooBoo’s Buddies as a Pet Specialist helping to train dogs and associated duties like picking up poop. As well as earning money for college, it fuels his passion for animals.

On May 24, Chase will be receiving his Associates of Science Degree from WNC followed by his high school diploma on June 5th. Next year, he will be attending the University of Portland utilizing a $115,000 Presidential Scholarship to achieve his goal of becoming a Marine Biologist — Contributed by CHS Counselor Dory Draper.

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