Senator Square: Competition and cooperation at the heart of Carson High School

Competition is in the heart of most people, and the students, faculty, and staff at CHS is no exception to that rule. Students and teachers are not going to miss out on the myriad of individual and cooperative competitive opportunities that present themselves at the high school level. This includes everything from the CHS NJROTC Orienteering Team winning1st place in the varsity competition, mountain bike rider Tobin McRae finishing 1st place for the junior varsity boys, or Carson High’s own teachers going ‘tiger hunting’ in a basketball game against teachers of Douglas High School.

Competition motivates and educates, as long as it is tempered by honor, kindness, and pleasure in one’s ability to compete. FDR, the 32nd President of the United States, from 1933 until his death in 1945, said it best: “Competition has been shown to be useful up to a certain point and no further, but cooperation, which is the thing we must strive for today, begins where competition leaves off.” Whether it is sports or politics, adults and youth participating in a competition must glory in the idea they have done their best in defeat or victory.

CHS Senior Ellen Cherpeski Moderates Debate
The upcoming elections are high up on the list of every conversation across America, and of age voters are not the only ones talking about their views. CHS senior Ellen Cherpeski moderated a first ever Carson City Mayoral Town Hall Debate Oct. 26 in the CHS library with incumbent Bob Crowell and opposing candidate Chris Carver hosted by the CHS Social Studies Department. Go here to read the Nevada Appeal story and see the video.

CHS Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corp
The CHS NJROTC Orienteering Team won big at the NJROTC Area 13 Southern Qualifier Meet Oct. 23 at Granite Bay Folsom Recreation Area in Folsom, California. Orienteering is a land navigation competition where competitors use only a map and compass to find their way (no electronic devices allowed). Although there are many different forms of orienteering, the basic premise is for competitors to make their way from point to point, in the correct order, and in the shortest amount of time. Orienteering takes cross-country running off the trails and places it, literally, into the woods. The team performed at an exemplary level, with 1st place in the varsity competition, 2nd place in the junior varsity competition, and 2nd place in the freshmen competition. Individually, the team won seven awards: four 1st place, two 2nd place, and one 3rd place. The CHS team’s performance set the stage for moving on to National Competition to be held Feb. 17-20 at Redtop Mountain in Cartersville, Georgia. “By land or sea let thy compass guide thee” is the CHS NJROTC Orienteering Team’s motto.

Carson High FFA goes to Indianapolis
Five students from the CHS Capitol FFA chapter attended the National Future Farmers of America Convention and Expo in Indianapolis, Indiana this past week. Students participated in leadership workshops, talked to colleges from all over the U.S., and connected with representatives from 51 other states and territories. Over 65,000 students from the continental United States, Alaska, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and the Virgin Islands attended, and Nevada had 25 students at the convention. Upon returning, CHS students shared the information they received during the workshops in order to better their chapter, school, and community.



Faculty Basketball Game
It is time for the CHS Annual Faculty Basketball Game against Douglas High School Nov. 9 at 6 p.m. in the CHS big gym. The theme for the game is “Camo-Out” because CHS teachers are going Tiger hunting. Camouflage bucket hats and “Here Kitty Kitty” shirts will be sold in the student store. Come support teachers and staff members at CHS. All proceeds will be donated to the American Heart Association, because even rivals have heart.

CHS Launches New Social Club
On Nov. 2, a new school club will host its very first "Social Club" meeting in order to discuss the group’s organization. All students are welcome to join this club designed to help students with socialization skills, make new friends, and have fun! Mrs. Hellwinkel ("Mrs. H"), the club’s advisor, quoted George Bernard Shaw for a purpose to this club: “The single biggest problem with communication is the illusion that it has taken place.” Homemade snacks will be provided and eventually some special lunches like pizza or sub sandwiches will be served.

Career Explorations
Nov. 2-3, freshmen students will visit Career and Technical Education classrooms (Health Science and Vet Science) and explore career opportunities.

SEL Family Engagement Night at CHS
CHS hosted SEL (Social Emotional Learning) Family Engagement Night Oct. 21. Parents who attended joined teachers, Safe School Professionals, and CHS School Psychologist Jen Mitterer in a generously-donated dinner from Olive Garden.

After dinner, parents mingled and learned about their students’ SEL curriculum and CHS services available to help students pass courses and graduate on time. Mitterer provided education about the brain and how she incorporates ways for students to strengthen their emotions’ regulation skills through Mind Up exercises. Special Education-endorsed and SEL-trained teachers Megan Schuler and Rochelle Kennedy discussed Boys Town, an approach to behavior management and social skills development in the classroom.

Safe School Professional Kelly K. Edmundson discussed the SEL services provided on campus and connected parents to resources for additional support. CHS thanks Olive Garden in Carson City for their generous donation.

CHS Mountain Bike Team
The CHS team competed in the Sierra Nevada MTB Championships in Truckee, California Oct. 23. The Senators finished their first season in 3rd place and had several Senator Cyclists reach podium spots at this event. Tobin McRae finished 1st place for the JV high school boys; Taylor Jenkins finished 3rd place for the sophomore girls team; Isaac Harrison finished 5th place for advanced middle school boys; and Conner McRae finished 4th place for varsity boys. CHS is pleased with its mountain bike riders in their awesome inaugural season.

College Connections
Representatives from William Jessup University, Portland State University, and Willamette University will be at CHS Nov. 3. Interested students should pick up a pass in the Guidance Office. Graduation is just around the corner, so do not be left wondering what to do next.

Senior Shirts
Show your pride seniors with your own 
shirts now on sale. Pick up an order form the student store! Shirts are $22 and sweatshirts $30. All order forms are due to the student store by Nov. 19! 
 
— Senator Square columnist Phil Brady is an English teacher at Carson High School.