Senator Square: Carson City School District writing contest produces many winners

A momentous congratulations goes out to the students who voluntarily and competitively placed in the 2017 Carson City School Board Sponsored American Citizen Essay Contest with first place at the high school level going to CHS 9th grade Honors English student Marissa Messmann, second place to CHS 12th grade College Readiness Senior English student Jessica Preston, and third place going to 9th grade Honors English student Matteas Klatt.

At the middle school level, first place went to Carson Middle School 8th grade student Ethne Myler, second place to CMS 8th grader Marissa Espinoza, and third place to Bethlehem Lutheran School 7th grade student Mikaela Christenson. Gideon Feuling, a 5th grade student at Seeliger Elementary School, won first place at the elementary level, with Justin Jose Montiel Castro, a 5th grade student from Empire Elementary School, placing second and Kylie Carrigan, a 5th grader at Seeliger Elementary School, placing third.

The winning students and their parents are invited to attend the CCSD School Board meeting Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017, where they will be recognized for their accomplishments and will receive a first place prize of $80, a second place prize of $30, and a third place prize of $15. Essays were judged within each grade level for adherence to the topic, quality of writing, and originality of thought, with the 2017 16th Annual American Citizen Essay Contest topic being “We the People: What it Means to Me.”

The meeting begins at 7:00 p.m. in the Sierra Room at the Carson City Community Center, and anyone wanting to attend is invited. It is easy to call all students winners, but how much more does it mean to students when their wins are obtained through competitive opportunities, in this case one provided by the Carson City School District and sponsored by the district’s very own School Board. Congratulations, students, for voluntarily participating in this worthwhile endeavor, one that will not soon be forgotten.

MARK TWAIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL THANKSGIVING DRIVE
The National Honor Society 2017 Thanksgiving Food Drive was a terrific success, even better than last year, which again unequivocally proves the generosity of the Carson City community. NHS, with the help of some community members, provided 25 Mark Twain families with a full Thanksgiving dinner. Additionally, multiple individual items were left over such as pies, rolls, cans of food, and potatoes, which NHS gave to the Social and Emotional Learning committee for needy CHS kids and their families. NHS strategically provided each family with a gift card to purchase a turkey, and its members brought in additional items.

BOOK DRIVE
The call went out to the Carson City community to donate used books to CHS Language Arts Department for their annual used book sale fundraiser at the CHS Craft Fair Nov. 17-18, and Carson City delivered. CHS Language Arts teachers, led by Shelly Bale and her mother, raised almost $900 during their annual used book sale to continue publishing the Senior Project Booklet and help the senior class with graduation expenses. Ms. Bale and her family created a lovely presentation of books for the sale so that it no longer looked like a garage sale. All proceeds benefit CHS’ LAD as it receives no money whatsoever to help with the costs of the Senior Project. Questions? Email Shelly Bale at sbale@carson.k12.nv.us.

COMPLIMENT CANISTER

The kindness continues at CHS as students and administrators bless one another with notes of appreciation, continuing to create a culture of kindness. CHS set up a Compliment Canister outside the Guidance Office for students to write a quick note to someone at CHS who has made her life better, whether by being a friend, setting a good example, making him laugh, or being someone she admires. It can be anyone: students, teachers, or other staff members, and for any kind reason. The notes are delivered to the recipients, and there are random drawings each week for prizes. Remember, keep it kind and classy Carson.

CROSS COUNTRY
The Nevada Governor’s Mansion was the location for the CHS Cross Country team to enjoy a delicious banquet along with receiving some well-deserved awards. Sophomore Zach Sever won Best Male Runner and an NIAA academic achievement award for having straight A's at the Carson High Cross Country banquet. Best Coaches Ever awards went to Peter Sinnott, Jackie Rauh and Sean Lehmann. Thanks for all the selfless time and hard work put into working with these amazing CHS students and athletes.

BASKETBALL IS BACK
Basketball has returned, and the season is kicking off with swag. Head basketball coach Jordan Glover is asking the Carson City community to purchase new basketball gear to raise funds for the team. With the holidays already here, this could be a great stocking stuffer for anybody looking to get some gifts and support CHS. It is all optional, obviously, but Glover said, “I just wanted to make sure everyone knew about it and had the opportunity to check out the new gear.” The due date for purchases is Nov. 27. For more information, email Jordan Glover at jglover@carson.k12.nv.us.

OFF SEASON BASEBALL

Off season baseball workouts are happening Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:30 to 3:45 p.m. at the CHS Varsity Baseball Field. Email teacher and coach Alan Matthews at amatthews@carson.k12.nv.us with questions.

SALVATION ARMY VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Nov. 27 is the holiday intake, registering families for both Thanksgiving and Christmas services. Volunteers are needed from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. to fill out paperwork for clients and bilingual help is especially needed. From now to Dec. 24, the Adopt-A-Family program is asking members, families, workplaces, church groups and neighborhoods to give to those less fortunate and truly celebrate the meaning of Christmas.

Sponsoring members of the Adopt-A-Family program will be matched with a family whose needs match their capacity to give. They will receive a summary about the family and the situation they face. 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, go to 661 Colorado Street, call 887-9120 Ext. 101 in Carson City, or email christie.contreras@usw.salvationarmy.org.

STUDENT OF THE WEEK
CHS Student of the Week is Chloe Walt. Before listing her many accomplishments, those who know her already see the happiness and kindness she pours out on others; she is without compare. Chloe, an athlete on the CHS Girls Soccer Team is also a member of Link Crew, Student Council, Key Club, Future Business Leaders of America, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and National Honor Society.

She is also Secretary of the Sophomore Class, and she is a student choreographer for Intermediate and Advanced Dance at CHS. Additionally, some of her favorite outside-of-school activities include aerial silks and dancing in the Nutcracker ballet as Tarantella Doll. Chloe competed on a competition dance team for three years and her solo placed 4th at Nationals. With the limited free time she has, Chloe also enjoys spending time with her family and friends. Chloe is another student who makes CHS shine.

SENIOR SPOTLIGHT
This week’s outstanding Senior in the Spotlight is Mason Marlin. Mason is an exceptional student taking a full load of classes every day even though he does not need them to graduate. Mason has a 4.13 Weighted GPA and is a student who will have successfully complete three Advanced Placement classes and three Honors classes this year, with numerous Advanced Placement and Honors classes in prior years as well. Outside of school, Mason competes in both motocross and drag racing.

And, although Mason prioritizes his academics, he is also very involved in building a drag racing car from the ground up for his Senior Project, a CHS graduation requirement. He hopes to be able to race it next spring. After a momentously successful graduation from CHS, Mason plans to attend UNR to earn his Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering degree and then move on to earn his Master’s Degree in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Arizona. Carson High School is very proud of the contributions Mason has made to the school and the Carson City community and knows he will be successful in his professional pursuits. Best of luck to Mason Marlin!

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