Senator Square: American citizen essay winners, CHS live theater, holiday craft fair and more

The American Citizen Essay Contest winners are in, and all of them have one thing in common: Heroes. The 2021-2022 Carson City School District Board of Trustees sponsored American Citizen Essay Contest topic was, “Twenty Years ago on September 11, 2001, many people became heroes in the face of tragedy.

As we honor the 20th anniversary of the tragic events of 9/11, pick someone in your life whom you feel is a hero and describe why.” Elementary school level winners: first place is Lillian Marler, fifth grade, Empire Elementary, second place is Jessica Hagen, fifth grade, Seeliger Elementary, and third place is Colin Schwartz, fifth grade, Mark Twain Elementary School.

Middle school level winners: first place is Madeline Lyons, eighth grade, Bethlehem Lutheran, second place is Greyson Ricks, eighth grade, Bethlehem Lutheran, and third place is Grace Emery, sixth grade, Bethlehem Lutheran School. High school level winners: first place is Jax Whatley, ninth grade, Carson High, second place is Eva Lindbloom, ninth grade, Carson High, and third place is Alexandra Nerska, ninth grade, Carson High School. The winners for each level will receive cash prizes: first place will receive $80, second place, $30, and third place $15. Winners will be announced at the Nov. 23 school board meeting at 7:00 p.m. in the Robert Crowell Board Room at the Community Center. — Contributed by Carson City School District Superintendent and Board of Trustees Executive Administrative Assistant Renae Cortez.

CHS VERSUS DOUGLAS HIGH SCHOOL STAFF VOLLEYBALL GAME
This year, both CHS and DHS decided to compete in a staff volleyball game to raise money to support the challenges faced by the families involved in the recent wildfires. Carson High Staff will join forces with Carson City firefighters and battle (crush) Douglas staff and their firefighters. The game will be held at DHS Nov. 17, starting at 7:00 p.m. This is a charity event, and all the proceeds will be donated to an organization that supports families impacted by the recent wildfires.

LIVE THEATRE COMING TO CARSON CITY COMMUNITY CENTER
Coming to the Carson City Community Center Nov. 18 through 20, Carson High’s She Kills Monsters sets the stage. An action-adventure dramedy which highlights 90’s culture, the famous game, Dungeons & Dragons, and talks about the struggles of sexuality and loss. The CHS Advanced Theatre class is extremely excited to finally be back on the stage after canceling their musical in 2020 and doing the fall play and spring musical, virtually, last school year.

Make sure to come see the amazing actors leading the show; Abby Cook, Elana Brugger, Jayden Yochum, Delanee Betrue, Harlie MacDougall, Erich Parker, and much more. She Kills Monsters is a strong PG-13 and includes language and inappropriate themes. Do not miss out. Show dates are Nov. 18 and 19 at 7:00 p.m, and Nov. 20 at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are $5 for students and $10 for general admission. — Contributed by CHS Senior Theatre Arts student Hannah Walker.

CARSON HIGH HOLIDAY CRAFT FAIR ALMOST HERE
Nov. 19 and 20, are the dates of the Carson High annual Craft Fair. This is an opportunity for the community of Carson City to find some amazing Christmas gifts as well as for clubs and teams to make some money. Vendors with a booth may ask a student, at no charge to the vendor, to participate in unloading and loading, setting up and tearing down for the vendors of this event. Student volunteers who assist the crafters before and after the event are credited at the rate of $5 per hour towards their club or team.

Two years ago, several groups participated. Future Business Leaders of America FBLA usually helps mark the booths on Thursday evening and has a booth where they sell Senator gear. Cheerleaders have a booth where they sell coffee, etc. and do face painting and coloring book pages. Photography has a Santa booth, and CLS has sold ornaments and opened a coffee shop. Web Design and Skills USA both have booths selling 3D gift items, Culinary Arts has a booth selling food, FFA has a booth selling sodas, water, and coffee, Band has a booth wrapping gifts, and Choir sells hot dogs and hamburgers. There are a limited number of spaces available for student groups, and there are already 150 vendor booths this year, biggest one ever.

On Thursday evening, craft fair volunteers coordinate the marking of the booths for the shows’ layout. Check in by signing your name at the Concession stand in the North Lobby outside the Big Gym. No fee is charged to have a booth for any student groups, and a donation of another $50 is credited for their efforts. Carson High Holiday Craft Fair has raised $10 to $18,000 every year for 25 years. All profits go directly to student groups. Carson City community members understand, the Craft Fair is considered to be one of the best places to go to have fun, be entertained, and…of course…shop.

According to Cathy Barbie, “I always hear praise from the crafters about how incredible our students are and how much they appreciate their efforts; this year, especially, we have a lot to celebrate together…a return to school, along with all the events for students, their parents, teachers, and coaches. For information, please contact Cathy Barbie, 882-8109, or email her at barbiecathy55@gmail.com.We are in this together. — Contributed by Cathy Barbie.

SENATOR PRIDE HOSTS ANNUAL TURKEY SHOOT
Hosted by the Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corp, CHS administrators, teachers, and staff are being offered the ‘chance’ to take a shot at a turkey in order to win a turkey at Carson High’s shooting range Nov. 15 through 17. Yup, how many high schools have their own shooting range, eh. Well, free turkeys will be given to those whose ‘luck’ gets them closest to the target on the turkey with three shots each. Also, there is a hidden mark on the back of each turkey target, and the shooter closest the hidden mark gets a free turkey too. Wish the turkey shoot was open to the Carson City Community, but no such ‘luck’; however, to those interested in becoming a teacher, there is always room for more.

PAST CHS ANNUALS NEEDED TO CREATE A HISTORICAL DOCUMENT
It has been an amazing 150 years since CHS first opened its doors. CHS Digital Media and Carneta yearbook staff are putting together a story about the growth and changes CHS has gone through to celebrate the last 150 years; they are looking to celebrate the strength and community which has been built up here over the years from the time the high school went up in a blaze and came together as a community to prove CHS is Carson Strong. CHS needs some support.

The staff is searching for photos, those found in annuals, because the CHS Library is, sadly, missing some, and there are many good pictures of the construction and changes CHS has gone through the staff wants to use. Please lend or give your yearbook or annual to help find some more photos in order to complete the CHS yearbook collection. It would be greatly appreciated. Call 775-220-0787, or email tigger1862@icloud.com. — Contributed by Megan McGibbon.

UPCOMING EVENTS AT CHS
Teacher volleyball practice, in preparation for the game against Douglas, is Nov. 15 from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. in the CHS Small Gym, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes will be hosting basketball knockout from 11:00 to 11:30 Nov. 16 in the CHS Big Gym.

STUDENT OF THE WEEK
Congratulations to Alfredo Soto, a senior, on being nominated Student of the Week. His nominating teacher said about him, “Fredo, as he likes to be called, has an electrifying energy which makes every class period with him a joy for his friends, other students, and his teachers.”

His teacher also said, “He works hard to keep his grades up, overcoming every obstacle in his way, and he does it all with a smile on his face and a positive attitude.” Alfredo works at Walmart 30 hours per week, pushing carts, helping with customer service, assisting with carry outs, and, of course, helping customers find hard-to-locate items around the story. Fredo is an active Senator and can be seen participating in all kinds of school activities. Congratulations to Alfredo Soto on being nominated Student of the Week.

SENIOR IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Loss of a loved one helps motivate. Senior student, Faith Chavez has attended Pioneer Academy all four years of her high school career. She is currently on track to graduate in June and start classes at Western Nevada College next year.

Faith stated she has always had a hard time trying to figure out what she wanted to do after high school, but she is leaning towards becoming an OB-GYN. Faith said, “The journey will definitely be one of a kind, but I am ready for every obstacle that comes my way; this has been one of my dreams since I was a little girl.” A couple of years ago, Faith lost a relative who was like a brother to her in an accident.

The incident had the potential to keep her in a place where depression and grief could hold her back and prevent her success. She found strength from the support of her family and from her Pioneer family. She has never forgotten about her relative and thinks of him when she is making important decisions.

“You only get one life, and that is something so valuable to overlook” she says. Along with strong family support, Faith credits her Pioneer teachers for her success. She says without their love and motivational support she would not be where she is today.

Faith had a shout-out to Mrs. Allen, Pioneer English teacher, who has helped her find a better understanding of her subjects, helped her become more outgoing, and, in general, a better person. We are confident that Faith will continue to have great success after high school, and she will be missed. — Contributed by Pioneer High School Counsel Cary Jordan.

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