Senator Square: Annual Carson High School Shark Tank event winners celebrated

Sure Covid interrupted this event for a couple of years, and like life in general the event took a slightly different direction for students; however, for the eighth year running, a Carson High School business-like program hosted the annual Shark Tank competition.

CHS teacher Lance Hendee said, “My students spent three months creating items, learning financials, creating their own logos, making their logos, coming up with marketing, making their own packaging, and preparing for questions which would be asked by the Shark Tank judges.”

Teams of students then presented their plans to Hendee, and, after presenting their plans, Hendee decided who would move on to the Shark Tank competition. Just like the television show, Hendee’s student teams presented ideas to a panel of nine Sharks, everyone from administrators to teachers. “The student company with the product Wolf Bars presented the Sharks with gluten and sugar free granola bars, telling the judges to “Feed your inner beast” Hendee said.

Another company, Fluffy Corporation, featured fluffy cloud cupcakes with the saying “Lighter than a Cloud,” and then there was DIY Incorporated with their lava glow nightlight and the tagline, “Brightening up your life.” Hendee said, “My students did an amazing job, the event was very successful, and everyone came out of the Shark Tank happy.” Winners from Hendee’s classes are, well, everyone, as students won gift cards, magazines, and loads of candy. “I'd like to thank Greater Nevada Credit Union for their support helping fund some of the projects and funding the prizes given” Hendee added.

CARSON CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT ORCHESTRAS ENJOY A SPRING TRIP
Students of the CCSD Orchestra Program traveled to the Bay Area May 13 through 15 to compete in a regional festival, attend a performance of the San Francisco Symphony, and go to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom. CHS Chamber Orchestra and CCSD Combined Orchestras earned Silver ratings, top 20 percent in the country, at the festival.

The Orchestras competed with ensembles from Sacramento and Elk Grove, CA, and senior Brett Barbarigos and Sophomore Nathan Parsons earned Outstanding Musicianship awards. "I'm proud of my students' accomplishments and glad that we get to end the year on a high note," said Orchestra Director Brian Fox. Students prepared music for the trip from March through May. Students were so excited to attend an out-of-state trip for the first time since 2019. For more information, please contact Orchestra Director for Carson City Schools and Concertmaster for Carson City Symphony Brian Fox, PhD at bfox@carson.k12.nv.us.

WIND ENSEMBLE EARNS SUPERIOR RATINGS AT WASHOE COUNTY FESTIVAL
The CHS Wind Ensemble participated in the Washoe County Band Festival May 17. “As the only performing group invited from outside of the Reno/Sparks area, CHS represented our school district with pride, professionalism, and outstanding musicianship” said Carson High School Band Director and Capital City Community Band Director Nick Jacques.

TRACK AND FIELD ATHLETES SHINE AT NORTHERN REGIONAL MEET
Congratulations to CHS Track and Field athletes Nick Batien, Hunter Mathies, Tristan Rutledge, and Andrew Ingersol for winning the regional title in the 4 by 800 relay last Saturday at the Northern Regional Track and Field Meet. Natalynn Wakeling, Ava Brehm, McKenna Budd, and Addy Morgan won the regional title in the 4 by 200 relay, and Kai Miller won the first place regional title in the pole vault and second place in the 110 hurdles.

These athletes will be competing in the State Track and Field championship in these events as well as other events in which they qualified. Congratulations also goes out to Sawyer Macy, Dominic Valdez, Zane Ferguson, Dominic Valdez, Anne Davis, Annalisa Morales Torres, Rachel Bush, Ally Murphy, and Kaylynn Bloomfield who also qualified for the State championship meet this Friday and Saturday at Reed High School. Great job Senator Track and Field. Another congratulations goes out to Lukas Taggart on placing third out of 47 competitors in this week’s State golf tournament in Las Vegas. Taggart finishes his career as a Senator with a Regional Championship. Good luck to Lukas as he takes his skills to Colorado School of Mines next year to compete in Men's Golf at this university. — Contributed by Carson High School Athletic Director Blair Roman.

PARENTS SPORTS NIGHT AND SPORTS PHYSICALS NIGHT
Parents, there will be a high school athletes’ sport’s night meeting for the 22-23 school year May 23 at 5:30 p.m. in the CHS Big Gym. Parents and athletes will have the opportunity to hear from the new CHS Athletic Director as well as meet CHS coaches. Fall sports coaches for football, volleyball, soccer, girls golf, cross country, and tennis will be holding brief meetings after. CHS will also be holding a sports’ physical night June 15 at 5:30 p.m. in the CHS big gym. Sports’ physicals will be available for only $10, concussion tests for $10, and student body cards may also be purchased for $25. Have a current 8th grade athlete, and choose to get their physical at their regular doctor? Please make sure to wait until after June 3 to have the physical done. If the physical is done before June 3, it will be invalid to use at the high school.

BAND TO PERFORM ONE LAST TIME AT CARSON CITY COMMUNITY CENTER
The CHS Band will be performing movie soundtrack highlights at the Community Center May 25 at 6 p.m. Guests will hear the CHS Band play music from Pirates of the Caribbean, Guardians of the Galaxy, Spider Man, Mission Impossible, Harry Potter, Star Wars, and much more. Listeners imaginations, experiences, and memories will be provoked as they listen to the music and view movie scenes from the music as they are projected on screens in the theater for a completely immersive experience. Desserts and baked goods will also be available to purchase, along with a 50/50 raffle.

Admission is free, so come and see band students end the school year with a Hollywood-style finish. For more information about this event, please email Carson High School Band Director and Capital City Community Band Director Nick Jacques at njacques@carson.k12.nv.us.

SPEECH AND DEBATE
Carson High debaters have continued to fundraise for their National's trip to Kentucky. The team was awarded a William Tate Grant from the National Speech and Debate Association as well as grant funding for hosting a standalone Big Question tournament.

Dennis Sharp has joined the nationals squad and will compete in Storytelling. He was the first alternate in humorous interpretation at the district tournament and a semifinalist in the National Last Chance Qualifier tournament. The team’s next fundraiser takes place at Buffalo Wild Wings May 25. Anyone who says they are there for debate and turns in the fundraiser ticket will have 10 percent of their ticket go to the team.

In preparing for Nationals, the team needs $15,000 to send seven students and two coaches to Louisville. The team 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.

SAFE GRAD AND SIX FLAGS FOR SENIORS JUST AROUND THE CORNER
Safe Grad is a booster organization of parents and volunteers, many of whom have children who attended, are attending, or will be attending CHS. A tradition in Carson City since 1988, SG provides CHS seniors a safe, fun, and sober celebration on graduation night and throughout the following day.

The CHS SG Committee, Carson City Sheriff’s Office, Nevada Office of Traffic Safety, and local businesses and residents help sponsor the event, and the members of SG are Kyra Hinton, Wendy Yang, Gina Winder, Jordan Crittenden, Cinthia Luevano, Jeanette Glauner and Matt Smith. Hinton will be stepping down as President after this year, but she will remain a committee member. SG Night this year will have a beach theme with, possibly, the following entertainment: Green Screen Photo, Virtual Oculus, Gaming Bus, Rockwall, Dog Tag maker, Character Artist, Comedian Act, Magic Show with We Are Theater, Tattoo Artist, Massage Therapist, and more. Interested in supporting the kids by becoming a part of the team?

Please email carsonhighsafegrad@gmail.com, or call Safe Grad volunteer coordinator Kyra Hinton at 434-760-0635. Applications for Safe Grad night and the gradation trip to Six Flags are due now. The doors of the Carson City Community Center open at 8:30 p.m., and the next morning at 5 a.m., graduates enter some amazingly comfortable busses to head to Great America, most of them probably sleeping all the way there. Additionally, Safe Grad is in need of a new President, Vice President, Volunteer Coordinator, and Social Media Coordinator for next year as individuals in these positions will be retiring. For more information about SG and the 5K, go to carsonhighsafegrad.com/index.html.

YEARBOOKS SOLD OUT…ALMOST
According to Yearbook and Digital Media Adviser Cynthia Mills, “We have only 155 yearbooks left, so be sure to purchase your yearbook soon before we sell out.” Go to yearbookforever.com, or stop by the CHS Student Finance office to purchase one. The yearbook 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. 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. Watch this beautifully done expose to help make the decision to purchase a yearbook by going here.

STUDENT OF THE WEEK
Congratulations to Rory Block, a sophomore, on being nominated CHS Student of the Week. According to his CHS Chemistry teacher Ty McMillen, “Rory Block has consistently come to school prepared each day eager to learn and has stated multiple times how much he has enjoyed learning chemistry this year.” In fact, many times Mr. McMillen overheard Rory say, "Class is over already." McMillen added, “Rory has grown over this school year from a student who focuses on getting his assignments completed to a student who now has the confidence to help other students around him who are struggling, and I have at least two students in my class who have benefited from Rory's assistance during this year and have become better students themselves because of his help.” Well done, Rory Block. CHS is a better school, and its students’ education and memorable positive experiences will be far reaching because of students like Rory Block.

SENIOR IN THE SPOTLIGHT
The Carson High Senior in the Spotlight this week places Molly Coen in its sights. Molly Coen is one of the many outstanding seniors at Carson High who is involved with the Career and Technical Education program. After high school, Molly is planning to attend University of Nevada, Reno, to earn her degree in teaching at the secondary level with a focus on the subject of Biology. Molly has been a part of the CHS Culinary Arts program over the past three years.

Additionally, for the past three years, Molly has been a Chapter officer for SkillsUSA, and this year she is the State Treasurer for SkillsUSA. SkillsUSA is a student lead organization for CTE. Molly has competed at the State level, earning third in Job Demonstration for her area of expertise. She is also a member of the CHS National Honors Society, maintaining a weighted GPA of 4.23 by taking several advanced and college bound classes. Molly is a brave soul to take on public education as a career. However, Molly is a highly motivated student with a great deal to give, and she will be successful in all she sets out to do. Congratulations to Molly Coen on being nominated as this week’s CHS Senior in the Spotlight.

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