Senator Square: Carson High School opens doors and hearts to everyone

Editor’s Note: This week's guest writer is Kelly K. Edmundson, MA, MFT, LCADC(P). Kelly is the Lead Safe School Professional School Mental Health Worker III at Carson High School.
Carson High School will again open its doors a little wider and longer for the 3rd Annual Back-to-School Night like no other Sept. 9. Open House, Open Hearts is a community event focused on building bridges to local services for teens and their families, increasing parent and guardian engagement at CHS, and celebrating the community, creativity, and diverse talents of Carson City.

Over 30 local community service providers will line the hallways of Senator Square for a community fair starting at 4:30 p.m. The fair will highlight Carson City activities, family friendly events, and provide information and screenings for a variety of local health services. CHS Principal, Gavin Ward says, “I am excited to have all of these great community resources come together at CHS to support our families and students.” Families will have the opportunity to become members of The Boys & Girls Club, connect with affordable healthcare options, join CHS Parent Teacher Association, learn about free afterschool tutoring, tour the Career Center and much more.

Attendees will enjoy a dinner generously donated by Round Table Pizza, Trader Joe’s, Walmart and Port of Subs. Gift certificates donated by Dutch Bros., US Sub Base, and Fire House Subs will be handed out to lucky winners. The talented students of CHS cheer, choir, and orchestra will perform as families mingle through the community fair and meet the teachers for the 2019-20 school year.

The CHS doors open to families at 4:30 p.m., and food will be served until 5:55 p.m. on a first come, first served basis with community fair tables and performances available. From 6:00 p.m. to 6:15 p.m., CHS administration welcomes families in the gymnasium, and classroom tours and teacher introductions will take place from 6:15 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. CHS’ 2019-20 Open House, Open Hearts, is an educationally tasty and unforgettable experience.

The following organizations will be present at this function: NAMI, Ron Wood Family Resource Center, PFLAG of Carson City, Partnership Carson City, CHS Safe & Sober Grad Night, FISH Food Bank & FISH Client Services, DWSS/Medicaid Access to Healthcare, CASA, Northern Nevada Hopes, Child and Family Services: Foster Care, Boys & Girls Club of Northern Nevada, Nevada Health Centers/Student Based Health Center, McKinney-Vento Student in Transition, Silver State Health Exchange / Nevada Health Link, Western Nevada College, CHS Math Department / Math Club, Journey Within Behavioral Health, Vitality Unlimited, Carson City Library, CHS PTA, UNR Cooperative Extension 4H, Reno Behavioral Healthcare Hospital, Carson City Community Counseling, Carson Tahoe Behavioral Health Services, NV Rural Clinics, CHS Career Center, Carson High Holiday Craft Fair, Carson City Juvenile Services, CHS Solutions, and Safe School Professionals.

SENATORS CYCLING EXCELLS AT THE NORTH TAHOE 2019 CHALLENGE
The Senators Cycling mountain bike team had their first race in North Tahoe Aug. 25. The first bike race of the season had numerous highlights for Senators Cycling and foreshadows a powerful season ahead. According to CHS teacher and coach Brigette Pugh, “Our high school and middle school riders had a great day and placed eight riders on the podiums.” Despite getting a flat tire, Carson High’s Nye Yackle, a semi-pro rider, sprinted to a 1st place finish for varsity boys, winning by just one second.

Elsa Harrison dominated the track, taking the podium for freshman girls. Hailey Osborne came in 2nd for eighth-grade girls, and in her first race ever Leah Card placed 1st in sixth grade. Bennett Card finished 2nd for freshmen boys, and Eric Billings placed 5th for eighth-grade boys with Joshua Fox coming in 4th for seventh-grade. Sylis Chalmers finished his first race for a 5th place for sixth-grade boys. Their next race is Sept. 7, and they will battle Rattlesnake Roundup in Reno. For more information about Senators mountain biking, contact coaches Gary Castleman or Brigette Pugh, 283-1910, or visit senatorscycling.org.

FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES PUNT, PASS, AND KICK

Everyone at CHS, especially the football players, was invited to Join FCA on the football field Sept. 3 at lunch for a punt, pass, and kick competition. Spanish teacher, and coach, J.P. Albert was out there as well, and Sept. 10 at lunch Mr. Albert will be sharing his testimony at the FCA’s regular Tuesday meetings. CHS teacher and FCA adviser Ty McMillen has some great ideas this school year, and then there are the other FCA groups in the area. In fact, he and the FCA leaders meet Thursdays in Mr. Brady’s room 137 to read the Bible, and make plans. Currently, there are FCA groups at Dayton High School with adviser Melaynia Wick, Douglas High School with adviser Ginny Thomas, Carson Middle School with adviser Justin Clark, and Carson Valley Middle School. The goal of FCA is to foster unity and support between groups as they follow their faith through word, deed, and by sharing and encouraging students to share as well. FCA meets every Tuesday at lunch in lead adviser Ty McMillen’s room, and all are invited, whether or not an athlete.

LIP SYNC BATTLE COMING SOON
The Lip Sync Battle is Sept. 17 as homecoming is approaching fast, which means the Lip Sync Battle is in full swing. Like to be a part of this, swing by the student store and pick up an application to sign up. Auditions will be held Sept. 10 in the leadership room. Remember: all acts must be school appropriate. Ann Britt Physical Education Leadership Advisor 283-1769

COLLEGE APPLICATIONS, COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS, AND COLLEGE REPS
Going to college? College Connections is available every day at lunch in room 257 to help students apply for college and scholarships. Also, Senator Scholarship Scoop is online at carsonhigh.com: Click on Academics, Counseling Department, and The Scoop on the left. The CHS Guidance Office is also there to help students. Call the Guidance Office at 283-1915, or email counselor Amanda Chambers at achambers@carson.k12.nv.us. Some of the upcoming college representatives, if students are interested in hearing about particular colleges and all that college recruiters have to offer (often that means free swag, ya'll!) grab a pass from the Counseling Office in order to attend! Coming up: UNR is Sept. 11, USC Sept. 13, Western Montana Sept. 27, and Portland Oct. 18. Check back here regularly for updates and info on these college visits.

FUTURE BUSINESS LEADERS OF AMERICA FIRST MEETING
The first FLBA Meeting of the year will be Sept. 10 at lunch in Mrs. Golik's room 249. What is FBLA, some may ask? FBLA is the largest student business organization in the US, and they have one of the best chapters in the State right here at CHS. Anyone may join with them to learn more about the organization. Students from all grades are welcome. FBLA: Because every leader has to start somewhere.

DISTRICT LEARNING COORDINATOR ANNOUNCES MANUFACTURING MONTH
Over the next decade, two million manufacturing jobs will go unfilled due to the skills gap. With help, this gap can be mitigated to show students the reality of modern manufacturing. In honor of Manufacturing Month, the Career and Technical Education department of CHS is partnering with several manufacturers to help students learn more about the opportunities in this industry. Teachers are being asked if they are interested in hosting a vetted guest speaker in their classrooms or taking their students on a tour.

CTE will provide additional details on the industry tours once they understand the demand by academic pathway. October has been declared as Manufacturing Month by The Manufacturing Institute to raise awareness, change perceptions about manufacturing, and help students translate Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) skills learned in a classroom into fulfilling career opportunities in a growing industry.

For further details about this, please visit www.themanufacturinginstitute.org, and please do not hesitate to contact Yette De Luca directly with questions, ideas, and feedback at 283-1632, her office at 283-1910, or email her at ydeluca@carson.k12.nv.us

ATHLETES OF THE WEEK
CHS Athletic Department’s Sept. 3 through 7 Athletes of the Week are Bradley Maffei for Boys Varsity Football and Claire Cartier for Girls Varsity Cross Country. 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
The CHS Student of the Week is Kailee Luschar. According to nominating CHS photography teacher Kara Ferrin, “Kailee always came to class prepared, was always highly motivated, and was always attentive, kind, and respectful; she is a fantastic advocate for the program and is always willing to help and cheer on her peers.” Ferrin went on to say, “Additionally, she was always seeking constructive criticism in order to better her work and was always striving to be her best.” Congratulations to such an amazing young lady, now a senior at CHS. 

SENIOR SPOTLIGHT
The CHS Senior in the Spotlight this week is Gabriel Crossman. Gabriel has a Cumulative GPA of 3.6 and a weighted GPA of 4.3. He is taking several Advance Placement classes along with Honors Human Anatomy. Not only is he taking advanced classes, he is also participating in a Banking Internship. Gabriel is involved with the CHS Leadership class at CHS as well as heavily involved with sports. He has completed three sprint triathlons, two at Tahoe and one at Pyramid. At Pyramid, the Nevada State High School Triathlon Championships, Gabe finished 3rd in his age group 15-19-years-old, and in his most recent race at Tahoe, he placed 18th out of 312 athletes.

Eventually, Gabriel plans on competing in an Olympic distance triathlon. For the last two years, Gabriel has done Cross Country at CHS, and this year he is the co-captain. Beyond running, he has also competed at the varsity level for the CHS Swim Team for the last three years, and last year he placed 4th at Regionals in the 500 Free. He has been swimming for about eight years with the Tiger Sharks, making Junior Olympics Short Course Championships in several events. Along with doing outside activities, Gabriel also volunteers for his church and has excelled in his classes in order to become a part of the National Honors Society for the last three years.

After graduation, he would like to either go to BYU of Provo or serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Carson High Congratulates Gabriel Crossman on all of his accomplishments and future endeavors.

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