Senator Square: Carson High School vs Douglas was a basketball rivalry with a purpose

And the winners are, everyone. The third annual Carson High School vs. Douglas High School Charity Basketball Game lit up CHS Wednesday, Nov. 15 and, as rivalry was put aside, it turned out to be the most successful basketball game fundraiser in CHS history with $10,000 raised for the seven students injured in the Nov. 9 vehicle accident on Kings Canyon Road.

According to CHS history teacher Benjamin Spence, “I want to say thank you…what you all did for our community last night was beautiful in a way that a game of basketball could normally never be; for all of us who are walking on eggshells, watching our own hearts break as those we love struggle for their lives, we had a moment of release, a moment of near-normality…to cheer, to scream, and for some of us, to cry, [and] for a few hours we were at our best, a true community of friends, neighbors, classmates, colleagues, and ultimately, a community of family; heroes take many forms, and for a little bit, you were all heroes last night.”

Not only did the authentic and proven kindness of the Carson City community come shining through, Douglas and Dayton communities also displayed their dedication and devotion to students and the Carson City community.

According to teacher Angila Golik, “I just want to throw out a huge congratulations to Ann Britt and her leadership kids for putting together one of the most successful events I have ever been to at CHS in my 14 years of working here; the atmosphere…at the game was phenomenal and just what this community needed.” The energy of the students and the crowd was competitive and encouraging.

As has been proven time and time again, businesses in Carson City poured out their kindness and support to those injured in the car accident as well.

On Nov. 13, the Artisan's Café gave 20 percent of net sales, Nov. 14, a Miracle Minute at CHS raised $3,823, and Firehouse Subs gave 20 percent of net sales all day along with The Fox Brewpub giving 10 percent.

Nov. 16, the Pizza Factory gave 20 percent of all sales that day, and on Nov. 17, Buffalo Wild Wings gave a portion of each sale from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

On Nov. 18, there was a 6 vs 6 soccer tournament at CHS field starting at 9 a.m., and each team was charged $60 with all proceeds to benefit injured students.

Also on Nov. 17 and 18, there was a CHS Photography Santa Photo Booth at the CHS Craft Fair, with all proceeds donated. On Nov. 20, Chili's Restaurant, from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. will give 15 percent of all proceeds to the families and CHS student Eddie Wentz said his family’s restaurant, La Enchilada, donated 25 percent of its sales for a day.

Additionally, Yogurt Beach donated 30 percent to 50 percent of their proceeds from both the Carson City location and the Douglas location Nov. 18. Sure, DHS overtook CHS by a mere 6 points to win the basketball game, but everyone was a winner at the conclusion of this game.

SENATOR PRIDE TURKEY SHOOT
The CHS Annual Turkey Shoot, led by the CHS Senator Pride Committee, returned for another year of teachers taking aim and firing. Of course, they took aim at the turkey targets in the CHS NJROTC building, and only three came away with a win to take home a beautiful Thanksgiving turkey.

First place, and with the highest number of points, went to Mary Anne Weaver. She overtook the first place male, Cort Roseleip, by one point. So close were the scores between Roseleip and Mike Malley there had to be a tie breaker, and Roseleip took the win. Closest to the X-marks-the-spot hidden target was Patty Bean. Not only are the CHS teachers good at what they do in the classroom, they are great turkey hunters too.

MARK TWAIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL THANKSGIVING DRIVE
The National Honor Society 2017 Thanksgiving Drive is going on right now. NHS is once again working on a food drive for Mark Twain Elementary School in order to provide Thanksgiving dinners to 25 Mark Twain families. NHS will provide each family with a gift card to purchase a turkey, and its members will bring in items like veggie cans, fruit cans, rice, potatoes, rolls, and pies. Want to participate? Items may be delivered to room #221 at CHS. NHS sure could use help from the proven reliability of the Carson City community. Baskets will be personally delivered to the families Nov. 21. Anyone interested in helping out is encouraged to call NHS advisor and teacher, Brian Branch at 283-1749, or email him at bbranch@carson.k12.nv.us.

GIRLS TENNIS
The CHS Girls Tennis Team at Carson High School had their end of season banquet. Amanda Schultz and Nancy Henricksen placed fourth in the region in doubles. The girls did medal and were awarded an All-American Athlete award. Additionally, Susan Fliegler, Adelle Fliegler, Jane Fliegler, and Maritza Filson receive academic awards for keeping their GPA's exceptionally high during our season.

VARSITY VS ALUMNI

Attention all students! There is an Alumni basketball game Nov. 21 in the big gym at 7:00 p.m. The boys varsity basketball team will play the Carson alumni team. This event is free of charge; however, donations will be accepted to help raise funds for the families affected. One of the Alumni players offered to give $1 for every single fan who shows up to the game, up to 1000 fans. CHS would love to have everyone come out, show school spirit, and pack the gym.

SALVATION ARMY VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Now to Dec. 24, the Adopt-A-Family program is asking members, families, workplaces, church groups and neighborhoods to give to those less fortunate to celebrate the meaning of Christmas.

A sponsoring member of the Adopt-A-Family program will be matched with a family whose needs match her capacity to give. She will receive a summary about her family and the situation with which they are faced. Included are the genders, ages and sizes of each family member and a list of needed or requested items. Members may choose to adopt a small or large family or multiple families.

Churches, businesses, agencies, and clubs are needed for help with the Angel Tree too. Toy collection barrel locations are also needed. For information, please call Christie Contreras at The Salvation Army: 350-5190, or go to 661 Colorado Street, or call 887-9120 Ext. 101 in Carson City Christie.contreras@usw.salvationarmy.org.

STUDENT OF THE WEEK
This CHS Student of the Week is the amazing Kiana Martinez. A sophomore at CHS, Kiana has a smile so contagious it would cause the Hulk to become passive. Not only is Kiana a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes leadership team, she is also the Future Business Leaders of America Public Relations Officer, a member of Link Crew and a member of National Honors Society. Her work ethic and quality of work are beyond compare. Thanks Kianna for being the excitement that holds the CHS family together, and congratulations for being a young lady who elicits a unifying community attitude at CHS.


SENIOR SPOTLIGHT
This week’s outstanding senior in the spotlight is Makenzie McDaniel. Makenzie is an exceptional student with a 4.7 GPA, who will have successfully completed 7 AP classes and numerous Honors classes when she graduates. In addition to exceling academically, Makenzie’s cheerful nature and genuine personality are assets that have blessed fellow students and will serve her well in the future.

Although Makenzie prioritizes her academics, she is also very involved at CHS as well as in the Carson City community. She is currently a member of National Honor Society, Skills USA (in which she specializes in architectural design), and Link Crew.

She is employed at CHS as a math tutor and works four afternoons per week assisting struggling students. Outside of school, Makenzie volunteers numerous hours in the community. She has volunteered at Western Nevada College as an office assistant and was an actress for the Domestic Violence Unit in training WNC police cadets.

In addition to her selfless attitude, she has volunteered as a teaching assistant at a local elementary school helping in the classroom as well as with school special events. Makenzie plans to attend UNLV next year where she will pursue a major in civil engineering with a minor in architecture. CHS is very proud of the contributions Makenzie has made to CHS and the community and knows she will be successful. Best of luck, Makenzie!

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