Senator Square: Carson High School 2016 Carneta yearbook available Monday

The excitement is intense and contagious at Carson High School as students strive to make sure they get a copy of this year’s award-winning Carneta yearbook, volume number 94.

A mere seven days of school are all that remain and students are focused on the conclusion of the 2015-2016 school year at Carson High. Everyone is wearing a smile even though more final exams are still to come.

The yearbook will be distributed Monday, May 23 beginning at 1:30 p.m. It has again won the Gallery of Excellence award presented by the book’s publishing company, Walsworth Yearbooks. This award is given to a small percentage of books that feature superior examples of coverage, design, photography and copy.

As a recipient, the yearbook is used in other schools and at yearbook workshops as an example and idea generator. Gallery yearbooks are also displayed at various conventions, and those designated as Gallery of Excellence books are used in Walsworth’s educational materials, such as their sample books and the Idea File magazine.

“Gallery books, including yours, ignite the creativity in other yearbook staffs,” said president of the company, Don Walsworth, in a news release to Carson High School. “The induction of your yearbook honors your staff’s exceptional work and dedication to excellence. "I offer my congratulations on this tremendous achievement.”

Patt Quinn-Davis, advisor and English and journalism teacher said: “It is always remarkable to watch students, often with no experience, grab the opportunity to tell their school’s story through writing, photos and layouts.

"Although students from our staff have pursued journalism degrees as a result of their experience, students also learn such important talents as communication skills, organization, team work, finance management; all those talents so important in the work world.”

Volume number 94 of the 2016 Carneta, with the theme “Somewhere In Between,” will be available for sale and distribution Monday at Carson High School. Editors of this year’s publications, who publish both the yearbook and the high school newspaper, are Sarah Craik, Paris Regan, Arianna Schmidt, Brooke Morris and Emily Ammerman.

The staff thanks local businesses who financially supported the publications: Greater Nevada Credit Union, Carson Dodge Chrysler Jeep, the Carson Nugget, Gold Dust West, Dr. Bill Bray, Distinct Ink Tattoo, Valeri Bianchi-Wood, MSW, LCSW, and Francisco’s Mexican Restaurant. Plus those parents and relatives who bought buddy ads congratulating CHS students.

CHS Theatre Arts 'Drammy' Awards
The Theatre Arts Department held its annual "Drammy Awards" on May 12 in the Brewery Arts Center Ballroom in Carson City. Students were acknowledged for excellence in performance both onstage and off, and many were given special honors including induction into the International Thespian Society, reception of CHS Letters, announcement of the CHS 2016-2017 Drama Club Officers, and the Drammy Award winners.
Also, please do not forget Theatre Arts presents Shakespeare in the Park with the classic comedy The Taming of the Shrew In the Old West, 6 p.m. on May 26 at the Carson Capitol Amphitheatre. Admission is free.

Employees Complete Wellness Challenge
Carson City school district employees just finished up a 10 week-long Well Fit Challenge. CrossFit RAD and Ormsby County Education Association sponsored the event in which employees logged their hours of movement with over 50 participants this year. CCSD thanks its teachers and staff for being role models for the students.

CHS Craft Fair Scholarships Awarded
The Carson High Holiday Craft Fair awarded $4,500 in senior scholarships on May 19 to nine seniors who assisted with their parents at the craft fair last November, many of whom assisted multiple years as volunteers. The $500 scholarship is awarded to qualifying seniors who have assisted with the craft fair along with a parent or guardian. If your son/daughter will be a senior at CHS next year, keep this in mind and plan to help out Nov. 18-19, 2016. All profits go directly to award senior scholarships. Contact Cathy Barbie at 882-8109 for further information.

CHS 2016-2017 Sports Signups
The CHS Athletic Department is holding only one informational meeting for the 2016-2017 schoolyear on May 23 at 6 p.m. in the gym. Get important information regarding sign ups, eligibility requirements, random drug testing, concussion testing, and physicals. Parents, guardians, and athletes should attend this meeting. Coaches will be available.

Safe Grad for Seniors
Safe Grad is still in need of volunteers. Please email Julie Slocum, the 2016 Safe Grad Coordinator, at jslocum@gncu.net with name, phone number and shift preference. The event will be held June 4-5 at the Carson City Community Center. 90 volunteers are needed to help with bag check, food, games and activities, door monitors, raffles, set-up, and clean-up. The shifts are as follows: 8 a.m. to noon, June 4, 10 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. June 4-5, 12 to 3 a.m. June 5, and 3 to 6 a.m., June 5. Thanks so much to those willing to volunteer.

Senior Class Photo Opportunity
Attention all seniors of the soon-to-be-graduating class of 2016! One last photo opportunity will happen the morning of graduation. This is the photo of everyone together wearing caps and gowns. Get a copy of this photo by going to Edmodo, or get one from Mrs. Golik in room 243. The deadline for ordering is May 25.

Student of the Week
The student of the week is Fabiola Mata. Fabiola is always ready to learn and tries her best at anything. She is a TA in the attendance office who is great with customer service. Fabiola goes out of her own way to see if there is something she can help someone with doing. Thanks Fabiola for all of the helpfulness and hard work shared with visitors and students of Carson High.

— Senator Square columnist Phil Brady is an English teacher at CHS.