Senator Square: Carson High School seniors celebrate their sunrise

The Carson High School senior class of 2019 arose early, not an easy task for a high school student, to celebrate the rising of the sun on this their final year of high school. A tradition that began decades ago at CHS has seniors jumping out of bed still wearing their pajamas, grabbing their blankets, and heading off to the CHS football field to arrive by 6 a.m.

This is a special time, and the students know it, feel it, and cherish it. This is the first of two events that bookend this special year of their education: Senior Sunrise in August and Senior Sunset in June. CHS Leadership teacher Ann Britt had her junior class leadership students ready and willing to serve the upperclassmen on the football field bleachers with baked goods, hot chocolate, and coffee to watch the sun rise in the east while they listened to music in the background. This is also the time for seniors to decide on a class song, quote, and t-shirt to represent who they are as students, individuals, and upperclassmen. A great time was had by all though many ended up wearing their pajamas all day at school. No worries, it is Friday, and hey, they are seniors experiencing their last school year at CHS.

Open House Open Hearts
The event, scheduled Sept. 10 from 4:30 to 8:00 p.m., is a back-to-school night like no other. Open House, Open Hearts highlights Carson City-based activities, family-friendly events, and provides information and screenings for a variety of local services. Open House, Open Hearts has several purposes: to build bridges to local services for teens and their families; increase parent/guardian engagement with CHS staff, students, and activities; and celebrate the community, creativity and diverse talents of Carson City. There will be entertainment along with food and beverages. In fact, CHS’ own Culinary Arts will be doing the catering. Questions? Call CHS at 283-1910.

Senators Cycling Team
The mountain bike team had their first race Aug. 26 at North Tahoe High. A highlight of the event was GRIT, a women’s specific clinic, where girls received instruction and were able to pre-ride the course with Olympian and UCI World Cup winner Katerina Nash. According to coach and CHS English teacher Brigette Pugh, “We had a number of riders racing for the first time, and everyone got to see the payoff from enduring many practices in the heat of summer, including multiple teammates scoring podium wins.” Top finishers for the team were: Tobin McRae 5th place Varsity Boys; Syndey Fields 7th place JV Girls; Cameron Rice 3rd and Isaac Harrison 4th place sophomore boys; Robert Berger 1st and Mackade Chambers 5th place middle school boys Advanced; Elsa Harrison 3rd and Annika Robison 5th place middle school girls Advanced; and Hailey Osborne 2nd place middle school girls. The next race, Rattlesnake Roundup, will be held Sept. 9 in Reno. For questions about the mountain bike team, contact coaches Brigette Pugh or Gary Cassleman at CHS, or visit www.senatorscycling.org.

Book Club
The Hate U Give book club meets every Thursday in the CHS Library at 11:10 a.m. Participants will learn about the story, pick up a super cool bookmark, and check out a copy to read. No pressure, no assignments, just rad folks reading a rad book together. According to CHS Librarian Ananda Campbell, “CHS English teacher Alyssa Smith is doing book club with me…and she did her Master’s Degree thesis on this book, so I am super grateful to have her as a partner.” More than 15 CHS students, as well as another CHS teacher, have already joined the club.

Blue Thunder Band Fundraiser
Capital Ford and CHS are working together to help raise up to $6,000 in support of the CHS Band program as part of Ford Motor Company’s Drive 4 UR School program. The drive will be held in the CHS north parking lot Sept. 15. For every person who test-drives a new Ford vehicle, Ford Motor Company will donate $20, up to a maximum donation of $6,000. Drivers must be a minimum age of 18, and only one driver per household is allowed. The whole experience takes less than 20 minutes, and 300 drivers are needed. All band members are now busy signing up drivers. Proceeds will be used to support the Blue Thunder Marching Band, Jazz Band, Cadet Band, Concert Band, and Wind Ensemble. Michelle Bowler is Carson City Band Association, Inc. Vice President and a member of the CHS Band Boosters. Please call her for more information at 230-4748.

GNCU Education Branch
Greater Nevada Credit Union CHS Branch is sponsoring the CHS Blue Thunder Marching Band again this year and will be at the home-field football and basketball games fundraising for the band. Stop by and purchase a band t-shirt or play Plinko to win a prize. All monies raised go directly to the band, and GNCU matches all donations. The generous contributions of the Carson City Community are one of the main reasons why the band continues to perform. Questions, contact Julie Slocum, GNCU Education Branch Coordinator, 886-1440, or jslocum@gncu.net.

Senator Scholarship Scoop
Senator Scholarship Scoop is online every Monday starting Sept. 10 at carsonhigh.com with the latest in scholarships, testing, college visits, grants, and even jobs for seniors after they graduate. First, go to ‘Academics,’ then click ‘Counseling Department,’ and next ‘The Scoop.’ Parents and guardians, have any questions about helping out? Call 283-1910, and ask to speak with a CHS counselor.

Ski Team
There will be a Ski team meeting on Sept 12, 2018 in Room 241, for all interested in joining the Ski Team for season 2018-2019.

Athletes of the Week
CHS August 27 through 31 Athletes of the Week are Jill Beglin for Girls Varsity Golf and Chance Smith for Boys Varsity Football. 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
Emma Joy Tuttle is the CHS Student of the Week. Anyone who knows Emma sees her infinite smile every day and realizes what a ‘Joy’ it is to be around her. Emma is taking four honors classes at CHS, and her GPA is a 4.0. Her biggest personal investment of time at CHS involves Theatre Arts and Chamber Choir. In her free time, Emma likes to read Science Fiction and Fantasy. Ultimately, Emma is looking toward pursuing a career in Theatre Arts education.

Senior in the Spotlight
The first Senior in the Spotlight for the CHS 2018-2019 school year is Abigail Pradere. Abby is a dedicated, hard-working student. She is currently in her second year in the Jump Start program through Western Nevada College where she plans to earn her Associate’s Degree in the spring. Abby maintains a 4.8 GPA through all of her rigorous courses at CHS as well as WNC. Beyond the classroom, Abigail is an exceptional athlete. Over the course of the last three years, and now into her fourth, Abby has competed in volleyball and track. Last spring, she won the State Championship in both the 800 meter and 1600 meter. Regarding her future, Abby has found her passion in education. Following in the footsteps of both her parents, she has her sights set on a career in teaching. She is looking to attend Boise State University, the University of San Francisco, or Utah University in the fall where she plans to major in education. She hopes to run for the track team at whichever college she chooses. Carson High School is an amazing educational establishment because of students like Abby. Congratulations to Abigail Pradere for her many accomplishments and the positive impact she has had upon the administration, teachers, and students at CHS.

The Rotary Club of Carson City, Nevada recognizes a senior student each Tuesday of the month. The meetings begin at Noon and are held at the Brewery Arts Center in the upstairs banquet room. A senior from CHS will be recognized every Tuesday, with the exception of the third Tuesday each month, where a senior from Pioneer High School will be recognized.

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