Senator Square: Cadets go pink for breast cancer awareness, CHS week of respect and more

Carson High School NJROTC cadets wanted to do something for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The Battalion Commander, Diana Pierrott, and her Executive Officer met with other senior members and came up with a great idea.

Cadet Kiersten Terry suggested they sell pink aiguillettes the cadets could wear on their uniforms with all proceeds being donated to the Carson Tahoe Health Cancer Center. No sooner had the decision been made, cadets were online looking for a vendor who sold pink aiguillettes.

Aiguillettes are ornamental shoulder cords worn on a uniform. Because pink is a more uncommon color for the cords, cadets had a difficult time finding a place which sold them. It took a few days to find a seller, but finally the cadets were able to purchase 58 aiguillettes.

Cadet Jaredh Lopez said she “wished we were able to purchase more, but we bought all they had.” Once the aiguillettes were available, they sold out within 48 hours. Cadet Jaredh Lopez said she “We had more cadets wanting to donate than available cords.”

Those who received a cord will proudly wear them throughout the month of October. This fundraiser has brought more awareness about breast cancer to the cadets, and from the words of Cadet Pierrott, “This fundraiser is what we are about, helping the community and supporting others in need.”

— Editor’s Note: Allison Gerow is an NJROTC cadet and Honors and AP senior at Carson High School.

UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA WOLF PACK MARCHING BAND HOSTS BAND DAY
Every year, the University of Nevada Wolf Pack Marching Band hosts a Band Day, where students from area high schools get to spend a "day in the life" of a Wolf Pack Marching Band member on game day. Carson High School Blue Thunder Band members traveled to UNR to rehearse, tailgate, and perform on the field with the Wolf Pack Marching Band last Saturday.  It was a thrilling experience to perform in front of almost 20,000 fans while playing music with incredible college musicians. — Contributed by CHS Teacher and Band Director Nick Jacques.

WEEK OF RESPECT AND DONUT HOLES
Each year during the first week in October, schools and districts across the state of Nevada engage in activities and learning opportunities that highlight the importance of safe and respectful learning environments called the Week of Respect.

Nevada Revised Statutory 388.1395 for delivery of information during annual “Week of Respect” say the governing body of each school shall determine the most effective manner for the delivery of information to the pupils of the school during the “Week of Respect” proclaimed by the Governor each year pursuant to NRS 236.073. The information delivered during the “Week of Respect” must focus on: Methods to prevent, identify and report incidents of bullying and cyber-bullying; methods to improve the school environment in a manner that will facilitate positive human relations among pupils; and methods to facilitate positive human relations among pupils by eliminating the use of bullying and cyber-bullying.

Disclaimer: The Nevada Department of Education does not in any way signify the endorsement or recommendation of any resources provided. The resources are provided as a convenience. So CHS students Sarah Wiggins and others delivered donut holes to all those students desiring to have one as they walked into school.

4th ANNUAL BOOSTERS AND ALUMNI GOLF TOURNAMENT
On Oct. 16 at Silver Oak Golf Course, the Campagni Auto Group, Carson City Toyota, and Capitol Ford are sponsoring the 4th Annual Boosters and Alumni Golf Tournament. Registration is due by 7:30 a.m., and 9:00 a.m. is the shotgun start. Green fees are $100 per player with a barbecue, raffle prizes, and a $250-hole sponsor, halftime recognition, a $10,000 hole-in-one, and a car hole-in-one. Register at www.senatorsfootball.com. For questions, donations, and more information, call Paul Longshore at 846-4362. Proceeds from this tournament are awarded to Carson High School football players as well as other student athletic scholarships through the Shane Quilling and Jake Roman Memorial Funds.

FRESHMAN PARENT NIGHT
Please join CHS Counselors Oct. 20 at 6:00 p.m. via Zoom for an informational presentation. They will be talking about graduation requirements, resources, athletics, and more. Cannot make it? The recording will be uploaded to the CHS Counseling website within a week after the presentation. Go here for the Zoom link.

CHS NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY INDUCTION CEREMONY
The new and current members of National Honor Society are invited to the 2021-2022 induction ceremony Oct. 21 at 5:30 p.m. in Senator Square. Moreover, the NHS blood drive is Oct. 21 in the CHS Small Gym from 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Staff, students 16-years and older, and the public are invited to attend. Blood donations are urgently needed during Breast Cancer Awareness Month as the American Cancer Society estimates more than 281,000 women and 2,500 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021.

Blood platelets and plasma help those undergoing chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery, not to mention the many other needs for blood in hospitals around the country. Type ‘O’ blood is the most transfused blood type and is always urgently needed, and O-negative is what emergency room personnel reach for when there is no time to determine a patient’s blood type.

Please keep in mind masks are to be worn at all times while at the high school giving blood. For the NHS induction ceremony, students and their families are being asked to RSVP by Oct. 18 to teachers Jennifer Alexander, jalexander@carson.k12.nv.us or Monica Flinchum at mflinchum@carson.k12.nv.us.

ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE, AND HIGH SCHOOLS CELEBRATE COLLEGES
Across the Nation, school districts celebrate College and Career Awareness month by wearing college gear or military career attire every Wednesday.

This year, teachers and their students are joining in this celebration so the conversation with students about the importance of a college-going culture is continued. Resources to extend the conversation are found in the link below: studentaid.gov/resources/prepare-for-college/checklists.

Each grade level has a checklist or go here to attend the CHS Counselor College Night Presentations. — Contributed by CHS Counseling Department Chair Nicki Hendee. Go to this address for her virtual office: support.google.com/drive/answer/6283888 or here for the CHS Counseling website: sites.google.com/carson.k12.nv.us/carsonhighschoolcounseling/home.

SAMSUNG SOLVE FOR TOMORROW PUBLIC SCHOOLS COMPETITION
Each year, Samsung hosts a $2 million national competition for public schools grade 6 – 12 in which students are asked to consider how science, technology, engineering and math can be used to create change in their communities. With the help of their teachers, students may apply to the contest and compete to win up to $100,000 in prizes for their school, plus the opportunity to work with Samsung employees to develop their prototypes. Application deadline is Nov. 8.

For more information please visit samsung.com/us/solvefortomorrow/?cid=int-cha-cha-cha-082919-102319-112156. For more information, please email SolveforTomorrow@sea.samsung.com. Education Programs Professional Andrew Snyder of the Nevada Department of Education Standards and Instructional Support, 755 Roop Street Suite 201 in Carson City, NV 89701 asnyder@doe.nv.gov.

UPCOMING CHS PARENT NIGHTS
CHS Counselors will offer an in person FAFSA night where representatives from UNR and WNC will be on hand to give individualized support in completing the FAFSA on Nov. 9.

HOLIDAY CRAFT FAIR IS A GO
The school year is going well, and the Carson High Holiday Craft Fair is a GO for Nov. 19 and 20, 2021. There are a limited number of spaces available for interested vendors, so now is the time to make a decision. To sell, or not to sell…that is the question. There are 8x12 and 5x8 spaces available in Senator Square, and the craft fair needs adult volunteers to assist with admissions, raffle, vendor check-in, volunteer check-in, and parking assistance. The shifts are two hours long, and the hours are donated as a cash stipend to CHS students’ clubs, sports, or class. All proceeds from this event go directly to CHS students, and the craft fair also awards CHS Senior Scholarships, which go to the college of the senior’s choice. Please contact Cathy Barbie at 882-8109 for more information.

UPCOMING EVENTS
From 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. CHS teachers will be administering the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test in the CHS Big Gym at the north end of the building. Girls junior varsity soccer games against McQueen High School will take place at CHS at 10:45 a.m. with boys junior varsity and varsity games against Damonte Ranch High School at 12:30 and 2:15. For more information on upcoming events, visit carsonhigh.com.

ATHLETES OF THE WEEK
CHS Athletic Department's Athletes of the Week are Audrey Cook and Brenda Flores for CHS Varsity Cheer and Ioane Tuia and Jacob Campbell for 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
The CHS Student of the Week is Andrew Ingersoll, a freshman. According to his nominating teacher, “Andrew exudes maturity, is always in a friendly and helpful mood, and enjoys every day as a student at the high school” Some of his favorite activities include mountain biking, soccer, and playing the piano. Employees within Carson City School District nominate the CHS Student of the Week, and it is often the students’ teachers who do the nominating though anyone in the district may do so by sending an email to pbrady@carson.k12.nv.us. Congratulations to Andrew Ingersoll on being nominated CHS Student of the Week.

SENIOR IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Occasionally, all that is needed to create a bit of success is a change in the setting. This was the case for Pioneer Academy Senior, James Mason. Three years ago, James joined the Pioneer family in search of a program which would help him feel more connected as an individual.

He was not doing poorly in his previous school, but he recognized he was not reaching his potential. What was particularly challenging for James was his ability to break out of his shell, and in his words, “Not be so shy.” Moving to Pioneer has helped James become free of his shyness and break out of his shell.

The smaller setting helped produce a comfortable atmosphere where James has opened up to more of his peers to create more friendships. James has also felt more comfortable to reach out to his teachers and made connections which helped him become more successful. Now pulling in A’s and B’s for grades, James is planning to attend Western Nevada College next fall in order to lead him in a program in Landscape architecture or medical technology.

James credits much of his success to his family for supporting him through tough times and always encouraging him to do better. He also is thankful to PHS teachers Mrs. Allen and Mr. Logan, who were always there for him and helped him develop the skill to navigate how to get things done. — Contributed by Pioneer High School Counselor Cary Jordan.

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