Senator Square: Carson High School student directs cheer camp for Senior Project

For my 2019 Senior Project, a Carson High School graduation requirement, I chose to be the coordinator and director of the annual junior cheer camp because I want to increase my knowledge and understanding on how to put on a special event; I also desire to improve my personal leadership, communication, and delegation skills.

For the cheer camp, I will be instructing the CHS cheerleaders on how to perform a routine I created while at the same time coaching and working with 75 younger students from other schools within the Carson City School District. Interestingly, I have been a Varsity Cheerleader for only the past two years as I recently realized how much I love working with other girls.

This goes to show that it is never too late to start something new, especially when friends see what you do not see and encourage you to become involved in something you never thought possible. As team leader of the Varsity Cheer Team I have truly enjoyed being a CHS Varsity Cheerleader and being a part of raising spirit at Carson High School.

The junior Cheer Camp will be Sept. 22 from 8:30 a.m. to Noon in Senator Square at CHS. After camp, the 75 younger students will return again to CHS Sept. 28 to perform at the CHS Boys Varsity Football halftime show. Because I love working with children, I will be studying to become a secondary education teacher. I look forward both now and in the future to working with my school, my team, and the students of the junior cheer camp.

— This report was by guest contributor Aadra Reed, a Carson High School senior team leader on the 2018-2019 CHS Varsity Cheer Team.

Junior Senators Program
On behalf of the coaches and players of the CHS Football Program, CHS Physical Education teacher and Assistant Football Coach Steve Dilley has invited teachers of the Carson City School District to participate in the 10th Annual Junior Senator Program.

Started in 2008, this program is a way for CHS players to give back to the community and understand that if they want to make real changes in their world, it starts at the community level. The players understand many kids look up to them, and these kids are excited to see them in their classrooms. Coaches have seen many of their current players as the very kids sitting in those elementary classrooms years ago.

The program’s premise is to teach student athletes what it means to give back to their community and what it means to be part of something bigger than just football through mentoring elementary and middle school students. Football players will be sent to CCSD classrooms on selected Fridays from 2 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. Once there, these athletes will help in any way the teachers see fit, from reading to students, to helping them with their classwork, mentoring, and being an overall positive influence.

Each teacher who participates will be assigned two varsity football players for the duration of the season. The program begins in September. Due to the breakdown of the 2018 season schedule, the following dates coincide with home games, and playoff games are to be determined. Sept. 28 is Galena, Oct. 11 is Damonte Ranch, and Oct. 25 is Douglas. Please take advantage of this opportunity by e-mailing Coach Dilley at sdilley@carson.k12.nv.us.

Homecoming Fast Approaching
Homecoming is approaching fast. Seniors, like to have a voice in the playlist at homecoming? There will be a song suggestion list in the Student Store from September through October. Make sure all songs are school appropriate, and be prepared to have a happy 2018-2019 CHS Homecoming. Dance tickets will be sold at lunch and after school in student finance the week of Homecoming and at the dance. Everyone will need a student ID to purchase a ticket.

FCA Lunch Time Dodgeball Tournament

Fellowship of Christian Athletes hosted a dodge-ball tournament Sept. 18, in the Big Gym during lunch. Anyone and everyone, even adults, was invited to play. FCA adviser and CHS teacher Ty McMillen said, “We look forward with these athletic activities to running around and working off some energy with students during week.” No students were harmed in the making of this activity as all of the balls used are soft, colorful, and easily, well, most of the time, avoidable if a student moves fast enough out of the ball’s way. But then again, hey, is not that the point of the game?

Miracle Minute, #CarsonStrong
Jonathan Francone, a junior at CHS, was in a horrific car accident over the summer. With severe injuries, his medical expenses have begun to add up quickly. To help, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes asked CHS Leadership students for permission to institute a Miracle Minute for Jonathan, and the answer was a resounding yes. In one minute, the students of CHS came together and raised over $1,000. Interested in finding out more about how to help, please call CHS Physical Education teacher and Leadership Adviser Ann Britt at 283-1769.

Book Club
CHS Language Arts teacher Alyssa Smith and CHS Librarian Ananda Campbell started a book club this school year and began with the title The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas. The book will soon be turned into a movie, premiering sometime this fall. According to Smith, “We have about 12 members in the Book Club, which meets Thursdays at Lunch in my room 122.” Three of the four students in this photo are all sophomores. Reese Wilson, Kellen Goldberg, and Katelyn Eaton.

Senator Snack Shack Opening
Love, laughter, and a cup of ‘Spediality Coffee or Tea’ are soon going to be available at CHS. A ‘Soft Opening’ is set for Sept. 24 from 7:40 a.m. to 2:05 p.m. Orders may be placed by going to room 134, calling 283-1671, or via email to senatorsnackshack@outlook.com Not able to pick up a cup of coffee, no worries because they deliver.

College Connections and College Visits
Seniors, College Connections is a program for those interested in learning about college applications and scholarships. Sept. 28, there will be a FASFA workshop in room 257 at lunch. This will help students prepare for the application opening Oct. 1. Seniors, do not put off stopping by to talk with a college representative in order to find out what options are available locally for education after high school.

Sept. 28, Amherst College will visit CHS at 7:15 a.m. It is also scholarship season, and Senator Scholarship Scoop is online every Monday at carsonhigh.com with the latest in scholarships, testing, college visits, and grants. PE classes at CHS have been engaged in dynamic activities hosted by community partners. Strength and conditioning classes have gone through yoga with Molly Dahl, a longtime CHS partner.

Also, Gunny Sergeant Moreno, with the Marines, has worked the students through a challenging strengthening core workout. CHS is lucky to have partners willing to come in and shed real life skills with students. Sept. 21, CHS had a community partner, Debbie Gilmore with Hall's Honey, come from Mason Valley to do an enrichment lesson with the after school Solutions program students.  The science behind making honey was discussed along with the students observing the Queen Bee in her environment.

Lip Sync Audition
Lip sync auditions are now through 28 in room 266. Sign up at the CHS Student Store: Songs must be at least 2 minutes long and appropriate. The winning team gets free tickets to the CHS Homecoming dance.

Athletes of the Week
CHS Athletic Department’s Sept. 17 through 21 Athletes of the Week are Karen Beglin for Girls Varsity Golf, and Jonathan LaPlante 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
Andrew Griffis has earned the title of CHS Student of the Week. For too many reasons to list, Andrew is an incredibly positive influence on those around him. When asked about why he was talking with a freshman boy at lunch, Andrew said, “I noticed he wasn’t doing too well, so I went up and talked with him about some issues he was having with some kids; I wanted to make sure he wasn’t being bullied.” Andrew is also a hard working student taking Honors Vet Science, Honors Anatamy II, Honors Chemistry II, and Honors American Lit. He says he enjoys all his science classes most as he wants to major in veterinary science when he attends college. Andrew also loves hanging out with his family and playing games and sports. Congratulations to Andrew Griffis.

Senior Spotlight
This week’s Senior in the Spotlight is Mikayla Tran. Mikayla has a very busy load with 4 Advanced Placement classes, and she participates in ROTC as well. She has a GPA of 3.86 with a Weighted GPA of 4.56. Mikayla is involved in several high school activities. Along with ROTC, she is an officer in the National Honors Society, donating multiple hours of her time for in and out of school events. She is also a member of the National Technical Honors Society, through SkillsUSA, where she competes in the leadership portion, designing leadership bulletin boards. Mikayla and her teammates placed 3rd this past year at Skills USA National Leadership conference. Mikayla plans to attend the University of Nevada, Reno and continue her career in Computer Science, majoring in Web Design. Congratulations Mikayla. CHS is an amazing school because of students like Mikayla Tran.

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