Senator Square: Carson High School cycling team excels at Rattlesnake Roundup

Blue plaid jerseys with a capital emblem line the trail. Cheers and words of encouragement echo past. My heart is pounding in my chest; my eyes are focused on the path ahead, silently cursing my greatest enemy: the sun. On Sept. 9, the Carson High School Senators Cycling team competed at Rattlesnake Roundup, a Hidden Valley race course.

This trail, notorious for its abundance of rattlesnakes and heat, consisted of around 400 feet of climbing and was generally single-track.

According to coach and CHS Language Arts teacher Brigette Pugh, “Rattlesnake Roundup is always the hottest race of the season, and this year was another hot one, but next up is Mammoth and everyone is looking forward to the cooler temps and swoopy trails." Amidst the many terrain challenges, Senators Cycling excelled.

Tobin McCrae placed third in varsity boys. Isaac Harrison and Cameron Rice finished off the podium in fourth and fifth for sophomore boys, and Robert Berger placed second in middle school boys advanced. Elsa Harrison placed second, and Annika Robison placed fourth in middle school girls advanced with Hailey Osborne placing third in middle school girls.

The trail had no shade, so the longer athletes rode, the hotter they became. Riders were exhausted from the heat. True admiration and perseverance is evident during Alex Robison’s last lap. As he was climbing the last hill to the finish line, he crashed less than five feet from it. However, this did not stop him from completing the race. He got up and carried his bike over the finish line. The announcer said Alex finished like a true champion. The CHS Senators Cycling team’s next race is in Mammoth on Sept. 23.

Editor’s Note: Writer Sydney Fields is a CHS senior, athlete, library assistant, AP student, and member of Rainbow Girls.

Future Farmers of America from Ivy Campbell
Starting the school year off right, the Capitol FFA Chapter hosted a back to school party on Sept. 7 after school on the front lawn. The party was run primarily by chapter officers with each officer hosting a game of their choice. Some of the games included an egg toss, jolly rancher toss, and corn hole. At the end of the games a winning team was declared. Their prize: First choice for water balloons for the water balloon fight. Although the water balloon fight was short lived, the memories were not. FFA Officers were excited to host this party in order to get to meet new members and catch up with returning members. There was also a potluck which allowed time for everyone to bond over food and good conversations. The party was a great way to kick off the year in the right direction.

National Honor Society Induction, Blood Drive
National Honor Society will be holding its induction ceremony Sept. 17 beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the CHS Big Gym. All new members and returning members will be recognized. Parents, families and faculty are encouraged to attend. Moreover, CHS will soon be hosting another blood drive. The CHS National Honors Society won the Northern Nevada High School Blood Drive Challenge yet again and received a check for $3,000 from United Blood Services. NHS’ first blood drive this year is Oct. 24 from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Medical staff will be in the CHS Small Gym. Large numbers of donors are needed, and donors must be 16 or older. Anyone under 18 must have a signed parent consent form and a picture ID when they donate. Students may sign up by room #221 or drop by the day of the blood drive. Snacks and drinks are also needed. Call teacher Brian Branch at 283-1749 for information.

Junior Cheerleading Camp for Girls and Boys
CHS Cheerleaders are hosting a Junior Camp for girls and boys grades K-8 Sept. 22 from 8:30 a.m. to Noon. This includes a dance and cheer, along with valuable team skills taught during camp. Registration and cheerleader greetings are at 8:30 a.m. All participants will perform for their families at 11:45 a.m. on the day of camp and then again Sept. 28 at the CHS Varsity Football Game during halftime. The cost is $35 per cheerleader and no cost for those with special needs. Registration fees include a t-shirt and royal blue ribbon to wear in the hair as well as one free admit for the Junior Cheerleader at the CHS varsity game Sept. 28. Questions? Call Sheila Story at 283-1675.

Golf Fundraiser for Injured Student
Jonathan Francone, a junior at CHS was in a horrific car accident over the summer. Due to increasing medical expenses, to help the families involved, Empire Ranch Golf Course and the Carson City are hosting a four person scramble “Golf Tournament to Benefit the Smithwick and Francone Families” Sept. 22 beginning with a Shot Gun Start at 9:00 a.m. Registration may be done in advance or on the day of from 8:00 to 8:45 a.m. The scramble format includes carts, awards for top two teams, closest to the hole prize, longest drive prize, a lunch, and a raffle to follow. Please phone Larry Wood for ticket prices and to register a team at 883-2371.

Dress for Success and Mob the Halls
Congratulations to the CHS Dress for Success winners. CHS Honors US History, World History, and adult education teacher Benjamin K. Spence won the Dress for Success competition Sept. 13, taking first place among the participating faculty members. Among student winners, Lander Smith won first place in voting. Sept. 13 was Dress for Success all day with teachers and students nominating the best dressed staff and student, and it was also a welcoming of students with Mob the Halls from 7:00 to 7:30 a.m. where administrators and teachers welcomed students to school as they entered the building’s various entrances. Each winner received a $10 gift certificate to Starbucks or Dutch Bros.

This competition happens once a month, with students and staff voting on the best-dressed people in the school. According to Safe School Professional Alejandra Ayala, “During the challenge, we look for a first place for a staff member and a student, and Mr. Spence was the staff member with the most votes, and Lander Smith had the most votes for the student category.” Ayala also said “Everyone has a chance of winning, and we did have a female student in the run for a first place, but Lander received a few more votes.” And to top it all off, the Blue Thunder Band played music for everyone at lunch time in Senator Square.

Athletes of the Week
CHS Athletic Department’s Sept. 10 through 14 Athletes of the Week are Hunter Rauh and Hannah Kiser for Boys and Girls 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 Bryar Fancher. Bryar is a naturally gifted student, and she demonstrates this with her many high level CHS classes: Honors English II, Honors Algebra II, Honors World History, Honors Chemistry I, NJROTC II, and Sports Medicine I. She will also be inducted into National Honors Society soon and participates as an athlete with both the orienteering and rifle teams. Regarding time to herself, Bryar said, “I wish I had free time, but most of the time I just do homework when I go home; however, I do make time to steal Dum-Dums from Mr. Brady’s class.” Congratulations to Bryar Fancher, the CHS Student of the Week.

Senior Spotlight
Introducing Savannah Lavey, the first Senior in the Spotlight from Pioneer High School, a school with a smaller campus, smaller class sizes, and student driven electives within the Carson City School District. Savannah has a caring disposition and has helped mentor other new students.

She has assisted in the school office as an aide, served as a leadership student, helped decorate for school dances, and is also in her second year of the Career and Technical Education program studying Health Information Management. Savannah maintains a 3.25 GPA while also working at Sierra Vista Children’s Academy.

After graduating from PHS, Savannah is planning to attend college and declare a major in education. Her goal is to become an elementary education teacher. Congratulations to Savannah Lavey as this week’s Senior in the Spotlight for PHS.

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