Senator Square: Life is like a box of chocolates at Carson High School

Saint Valentine’s Day 2022 is in the past, but what this Catholic holiday does for honoring martyred saints is bring to mind one of the most famous quotes in movie history: “My Mama always said ‘Life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you are gonna get.”

Though not very quick on the uptake, Forrest Gump, played by two consecutive Academy Awards winner Tom Hanks, never thought of himself as disadvantaged, and thanks to his adoring mother, played by two-time Academy Award winner Sally Fields, he unknowingly teaches selfless individuals what it means to live a godly life.

Forrest leads the most fulfilling life possible; he outruns opposing teams as a college football star, fights in Vietnam, captains a shrimp boat, and demonstrates mastery of the golden rule, except for those who would harm Jenny, the peas and carrots love of his life of course.

Forrest inspires people with his childlike optimism and never-look-back passion to succeed in all he does. According to CHS and UNR graduate Rebekah Brady, “Forrest Gump really is such a beautiful and insightful movie; I cry every time I watch it.” Brady added, “Life really can be difficult and out of our control, but it is all about my outlook on it and how I perceive it which actually defines it.”

Much like Forrest, the CHS Senator Pride Committee, in order to help support CHS custodian John Wilson’s family, switched things up a bit. The “R(ad-min)” team leaders completed the CHS bake a Cake “Nailed It” Challenge, and faculty and staff voted with their money for their favorite desserts and dessert auction by placing their wagers in the possibility of winning a yummy treat. Plus, everyone received a free cupcake at the end of the day if they wanted one.

The six CHS teams earned points based on the amount of money given to their admin's creation. Mary Anne Weaver won first place in the event based on cash votes by staff, and Vice Principal Dr. Sue Moulden came in second. The dessert auction and cake war blessed custodian Wilson who said, “I want to thank all of you for your generosity and support for my family; my wife must have an injection next week to insure her recovery, and I had no idea how I was going to be able to pay for this.” Wilson added, “Thanks to all of you I can, and what a relief; a big thanks to all of you and God Bless.”

What did Forrest Gump ever ask from anyone? Nothing. He loved unconditionally, and the lessons he learned from his Mama are, well, lessons everyone should put into practice. Remember some of them: “Stupid is as stupid does”, “You have to do the best with what God gave you”, “You have got to put the past behind you before you can move on.” Also, and it took him a long time to get around to it, too, but Lieutenant Dan finally said to Forrest, “I never thanked you for saving my life.” It is great to be alive, it is great to be a student at CHS, it is great to be a teacher at CHS, it is great to be staff member at CHS, and it is great to put into practice the lessons Forrest Gump teaches those with an ear to hear.

Go here to check out the administrative “Nailed It” challenge and John Wilson and family fundraiser, and go to senatorsnow.org/ to see the regular news announcements and events happening on and off campus at CHS.

SPEECH AND DEBATE CLAIMS SIX BOWLS IN LEAGUE COMPETITION

CHS debate finished regular league competition last weekend at the Elko tournament. The team has continued to rebuild since the pandemic shut down competition for the better part of a year. Carson competitors made their presence known at the competition, and the team was the second largest among the 14 schools present. In Dramatic Interpretation, novice competitor Dennis Sharp advanced to the final round for the first time with his cutting of A Child Called It. In Senior DI, Abby Cook placed third place with Glossy Eyed Sandra by “Sandra Kaminski” and Penelope Truell placed second with her cutting of Half Measures by Vince Gilligan. In novice Duo Interpretation, Melanie Castillo and Bailey Holst placed sixth with their cutting of Inside Out by Peter Docter and Ronnie Del Carmen. In senior Duo, Jessica Knutson and David Mariscal Gonzalez placed third performing The Complete History of America and Ryan Soulier and Mason Tims took firsts with their interpretation of Monte Python and the Holy Grail. In debate, the following students placed in the top 10 in speaker points: Jacqueline Estrada Diaz placed eighth and Viviana Castro placed fifth in Lincoln Douglas. Mason Tims took eighth in Public Forum and Ryan Soulier took seventh. In Big Questions debate Penelope Truell advanced into elimination rounds for the first time and placed third overall debating the benefits and harms of religious belief and practice on society. The league also awarded the season bowls, representing how well each team did overall during the season. Carson claimed a total of six bowls this year, the most the team has had in over two decades. Carson placed in the top three as a team in Original Oratory, Dramatic Interpretation, Duo Interpretation, and Program Oral Interpretation. For more information, please email Carson High Social Studies and Speech and Debate Coach Patrick Mobley at pmobley@carson.k12.nv.us.

RIFLE TEAM QUALIFIES FOR NJROTC CHAMPIONSHIP IN ALABAMA

The NJROTC Varsity Rifle Team, Cadets Allison Gerow, Kiana Hillis, Lisette Topete-Nunez, Mackinzie Tacket, and Leondre Long qualified to shoot in the All Navy JROTC Championship taking place this week in Anniston, AL. To see details, on the main page, scroll down to JROTC Service Championship Information.

Here, the "Official Program" may be read which gives detailed information to include rules, times, etc., and below this are results. After clicking on “Results”, choose Navy JROTC, and then select Sporter rifle. Here are the individual and team standings. Next is the "Live Target" following the Program and Results links. This link is where to see the targets as they are shot. Click on the Anniston range.

Here is the schedule of when the shooting took place. The CHS team is in Relay. Lastly, click on Squadding: Navy, Anniston, AL to see what lane CHS cadets are shooting on after going to the championship.

PARENTS STILL HAVE TIME TO PURCHASE SENIOR ADS

This is just a friendly reminder: Senior ads are due Feb. 28 or until the reserved pages are full. Currently, 9 1/2 pages out of 16 that are full, so they are going fast, and no one who wants an ad is happy after being denied. What are senior ads?  Senior ads are designed by “you,” and they celebrate “your” senior's K-12 experience and graduation.

Go to yearbookforever.com, search for CHS, click shop, and click on senior ads with sizes and the prices. Senior ads are a great graduation gift. Often, parents surprise their senior with an ad and a dedication page in the yearbook. Sometimes, seniors who are best friends do one together too. Attached, please find an example of senior ads. Finally, yearbooks may be purchased at yearbookforever.com. Adviser Cynthia Mills added 40 additional pages this year for the same price as in years past.

This year, the book celebrates not only students being back together again, but also the 150th year of CHS. FYI: The yearbook sold out last year. For more information, email Yearbook Adviser, EDU 110/112, Digital Media, and English I teacher Cynthia Mills at cmills@carson.k12.nv.us.

WHO WILL BECOME MR. CARSON HIGH 2022

It is time once again to make a big decision, one of the biggest of the year. Who will become the next Mr. Carson High? Reserve March 4 at 6:30 p.m. to visit the Carson City Community Center for an evening filled with great talents and entertainment; multiple CHS Senior boys are competing for the title of Mr. Carson High 2022. There will be some great raffle prizes to win as well. Each raffle ticket is $2, and each general admission ticket is $10. Moreover, please take note of this unique opportunity as VIP admission tickets are available which include a dinner served at the Community Center with preferred seating starting at 5:30 p.m. The cost is totally reasonable at $20. For information, contact Sheila Story at sstory@carson.k12.nv.us.

CARSON CITY COMMUNITY FATHER-DAUGHTER DANCE RETURNS TO CHS

“A Mystical Evening in Greece”, featuring Hercules and Megara, Annual Father-Daughter Ball at CHS, a community-wide event for all ages, is coming April 22 from 6 to 9:00 p.m. in the CHS Big Gym. Tickets are $40 per father and daughter and an additional $10 for each additional daughter. The event has sold out each year prior to Covid and will definitely sell out this year. Order tickets by going to eventbrite.com and searching for “Father-Daughter Ball – Carson City.” Online ticket purchase fee applies.

Tickets may also be purchased in person at the CHS Big Gym entrance. Only cash or checks will be taken for in-person ticket purchases. Also, actors will be taking professional photos of fathers and their little princesses; light desserts will be served. This event is a fundraiser for the following CHS Organizations: Future Business Leaders of America, SkillsUSA Web Design, Leadership, and Photography. Tickets do not go on sale until March 1. Please email CHS teacher Angila Golik at agolik@carson.k12.nv.us for more information. See the flier below.

TESLA TO DISCUSS JOB AND APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Attention CHS Seniors, and even juniors, representatives from Tesla will be at CHS March 10 from 6:00 to 7 p.m. to 2:05 in the CHS Library discussing employment and apprenticeship opportunities, so come and hear what they have to say. This is a fantastic opportunity for seniors moving forward after graduation and for juniors thinking about what they will do in the near future as well.

This is an apprenticeship which offers CHS graduates full-time work at Tesla while earning a scholarship in advanced manufacturing and other areas. Go to the following to sign up and check out the details of this one-of-a-kind opportunity as it will most definitely lead career-minded and goal-setting individuals interested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics into the right direction of planning for the future, not to mention free money too. Go here for more information.

ATHLETES OF THE WEEK

CHS Athletic Department’s Athlete of the Week are Ellah Olson for Girls Varsity Wrestling and Brenda Flores for Varsity Winter Cheer. 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

Congratulations to CHS Freshman Denisse Isas Navarette on being nominated Student of the Week. According to CHS Theatre, Musical Theatre, and English Language Arts teacher Andie Wilkerson, “Denisse is a hard worker and a kind human being.” Wilkerson added, “She strives to excel in her classes, is never afraid to ask for help, and she always has a positive attitude.”

Employees within Carson City School District nominate the CHS Student of the Week, and it is often the 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 Denisse Isas Navarette in standing out so much so her teacher nominated her CHS Student of the Week.

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

2022 Father-Daughter Ball by Carson Now on Scribd