Senator Square: Careers begin at Carson High School

Students finding their future careers before they have even graduated from high school has been an evolution in the making and who would have thought?

However, between Carson High School’s Senior Project graduation requirement, made possible by the generous working community of Carson City, the myriad of old and newly formed clubs offered to the students of Carson High, and on-site income earners like The Greenhouse Project, not to mention the Career and Technical Education Jump Start program offered through Western Nevada College, students are figuring out quickly that high school is not the end of their education before starting a career, it is where they may actually begin their careers.

Moreover, a new club started at CHS recently, and the mission is to rethink teacher recruitment and preparation. Educators Rising cultivates highly skilled educators by guiding young people on a path to becoming accomplished teachers, beginning in high school and extending through college and into the profession.

Want to teach, join the movement. Students interested may join this new team in room 167 where they will learn how to get started and what programs are available now. Anyone may go to EducatorsRising.org and join the team today; there is power in teaching, and this is just one of the many new career opportunities happening at CHS.

New Information at CarsonHigh.com
Carson High School’s website, www.carsonhigh.com has new information. There is now an “Attendance Information” link at the top left-hand side under Quick Links. This link will give parents information on how to report a student absence, report appointments, or report something other than the aforementioned. The attendance manual is also listed, so parents may review CHS’ latest expectations from the Carson City School District.

Mock Trial
Ever wanted to be a lawyer for a day? Ever wanted to be someone else? With Mock Trial, it is possible. Mock trial is Law and Order in real life. Want to meet professional attorneys or students around the state, want to compete in a simulated trial environment in a real courthouse with a real judge? Students who want to be attorneys are needed as well as witnesses. And actors, there are spots for them also. There is only one tournament, and it will take place in February in Reno. Interested? The club meets Mondays and Tuesdays from 2:05 to 3:30 in Room 205.

Carson High School Holiday Band Performance
A CHS instrumental concert happens Dec. 15, 7:00-8:30 p.m. at the Carson City Community Center. The concert will feature the award winning Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, and Jazz Ensemble. There will be no admission; however, there will be a free-will donation to help defray medical expenses of long time Carson City music professional, Sue Jesch. Bring a guest or two (or three or four), to start the holiday season with some great holiday music.

CHS Theatre Arts Winter Showcase
The CHS Intermediate, Advanced, and Advanced Studies Theatre Arts Classes will be presenting student-directed short plays in the Black Box Theatre, room 170, Dec. 15 & 16 at 6 p.m. This event is free to the public. Seating is limited.

SKILLS USA Group meets Wednesday
SkillsUSA is having its monthly meeting Dec. 14 during lunch in Library. There will be a special treat for all members.

Link Crew Senior Class Photo Project
Link Crew is working on a project to decorate a wall at CHS with senior class photos of the past graduating classes. If anyone is willing to donate, or even allow Link Crew to borrow and scan their senior class panoramic picture from the past, please contact scavener@carson.k12.nv.us. Donate to this noble cause and become immortalized as having been a part of Carson High School.

Parent Teacher Association Reflections Contest
It is time again for the PTA Reflections Contest. An unbelievable amount of entries last year really made CHS shine, and students may prepare entries either on their own or as part of a class assignment. Any student in the CCSD may get involved. The theme this year is, “What is Your Story?” and students have 6 categories in which to participate: literature, dance, music, film, visual arts (including 3D), and photography. There will also be a wonderful display in the library window again this year. CHS PTSA President LeAnn Saarem is available for any questions or help at saarem@sbcglobal.net. Entries will be due mid-January to the CHS Library. There will be cash prizes for the winners of each category.

Mrs. Koop's Monarch Butterflies
Mrs. Koop’s biology classes have teamed up with Nevada Monarch Society to save butterflies and other pollinators. Monarch populations have decreased more than 85 percent. The reason for this loss is due to herbicide applications for agriculture. However, due to education, community, and school involvement, milkweed and monarch butterflies are slightly increasing.

They are asking people to plant Milkweed and have seeds for two native species ready to plant: Narrow Leaf and Showy. This is the best time of year to plant, so seeds will grow over winter and sprout in the spring. The seeds normally cost $12 per gram from seed companies, but Nevada Monarchs is the first to provide small amounts for a small donation for this area.

People may plant the correct species in their yards. Nevada Monarch Society is asking for a $4 donation or $6 for both. People may access the website to participate in the Citizen Science project to report germination rates or create a Monarch Way station. Email or talk to Mrs. Koop at jkoop@carson.k12.nv.us with any questions, comments or just to get seeds.

Student of the Week
Saul Yanez is a great addition to CHS. He is a peer coach in the martial arts class at CHS, and is contributing a great deal to help the school in other ways too. He is a very kind person who helps the new students in this class. He is also a very positive student at the school, and CHS is a better place because of students like Saul Yanez.

Senior Spotlight
This week, the senior spotlight shines on Skylar Glock. Skylar has consistently pushed herself in high school, taking many honors and AP classes. She really enjoys math as it comes easily to her. She is also very much enjoying her ceramics class this year; she says it is relaxing.

Skylar is involved in Carson High School and the community as she has been a cheerleader throughout her high school career as well as a member of the National Honor Society. In her free time, Skylar likes to help out at Empire Elementary School with their scheduled math nights and math club. She loves music, and is learning to play guitar for her Senior Project.

Skylar is very close with her family, and will attend UNR next year, where she will be close enough to visit often. She plans to study business or engineering. In the future, she can see herself putting down roots in Nevada, although she hopes to do a great deal of traveling. Her biggest hope is that all of her hard work pays off. Congratulations to Skylar Glock as the administrators, counselors, and students of CHS wish her all the best for a bright and fulfilling future.

— Senator Square writer Phil Brady is an English teacher at Carson High School.