Senator Square: New semester and year begin at Carson High School

The 2021 first semester at Carson High School is in the past, and a 2022 Happy New Year and semester have begun. The past is gone, and the future is here, so instead of a new year’s resolution, how about taking a look at something much bigger?

Two things come to mind, freedom of speech and freedom of action because anyone with common sense knows one cannot exist without the other. So, first comes The Talking Locker #709 at CHS. In the attached photo, CHS Student Body Secretary Samantha Schofield, Public Relations officer Sydney Romeo, and Treasurer Ginger Cullom discuss the purpose of the locker, which is to give students a location to deposit their thoughts about how to make CHS a better school, thus giving them an outlet for free speech.

Next, while ideas aplenty come to mind, nothing happens without action, and CHS Leadership hopes to put CHS students’ ideas into action. Regarding action, John F. Kennedy’s Jan. 20, 1961 inaugural address comes to mind. His historic words, “Ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country,” challenged every American to contribute in some way to the public good. In like manner, every single CHS Student and American may decide to apply President Kennedy’s inaugural address’ theme of civic action to his own life and put their good ideas into action.

Kennedy inspired students and adults, the young and the old, to see the importance of civic action and public service when he said, “All this will not be finished in the first one hundred days, nor will it be finished in the first one thousand days, nor in the life of this Administration, nor even perhaps in our lifetime on this planet, but let us begin.”

Another inspiring idea from his address is: “The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our country [light CHS] and all who serve it—and the glow from that fire can truly light the world.” The year 2021 is gone, it is in the past, and 2022 is here.

This is a brand new year, so, like Kennedy’s 1961 Inaugural Address, put his words into action, and make every day count as an opportunity to bless others through kind service to them, especially to those in need. If interested in reading about, and applying this lesson to personal life, please go to the online address here.

PARENTS, BUSINESS OWNERS, TIME TO ADVERTISE IN CHS YEARBOOK
Carson High School parents, students, and others may purchase a section of the yearbook and use personal photos to capture and immortalize an unforgettable memory of time spent in the Carson City School District and beyond. Have a look at the possibilities by going to senatorsnow.org.

Note to CHS Seniors who want to submit a baby photo, it needs to be completed by Jan. 7, 2022, so go to grade level Google Classroom, and submit photo under baby picture assignment. Parents and seniors wanting a Buddy Ad must purchase and complete submissions of photos and information by Feb. 28, 2022. Also, Carson City business owners may purchase an advertisement section in the yearbook, multiple sizes available, to help immortalize the name of their business, the name of a student or students, and to also support the CHS program.

It is so easy too; business owners simply need to go to yearbookforever.com, search for Carson High School, select shop, and select business ad. They may then upload a predesigned ad, or they may design their own ad online. They may purchase a full page, ½-page, or ¼-page section. Please, businesses of Carson City, factor this type of advertising into a budget to support the physical publication of the CHS Senators’ yearbook and show the community how important it is to support students as they are the employees of the future. For more information about the CHS yearbook, email CHS teacher and yearbook adviser Cynthia Mills at cmills@carson.k12.nv.us.

ALLIANCE FOR YOUNG ARTISTS AND WRITERS SCHOLASTIC AWARDS
In the Dec. 4 issue of Senator Square, the artwork of Brandon Thompson and Elena Brugger, CHS Graphic Design and SkillsUSA students in adviser Patricia Ababio’s classes were shown, so in this issue, the works of CHS students Emma Lobsien with her Scholastic Art and Writing Competition entry “bruno is orange” and Yanizia Herrara with “charro” are being shown.

The following students from Ababio’s classes are competing in the The Scholastic Art and Writing competition: Yanizia Herarra, Nadia Hill, Emma Lobsien, Charlotte Albin, Aiden Grime, Noah Sa, Tierney Frost, Brandon Thompson, and Elena Brugger. The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards are presented by the Alliance for Young Artists and Writers, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to identify students with exceptional artistic and literary talent, and present their remarkable work to the world.

The Awards give students opportunities for recognition, exhibition, publication, and scholarships. The art awards exhibition is Feb. 5 through 25, 2022. Gold Key Art will be available for viewing at Sheppard Contemporary gallery at the University of Nevada, Reno, located in the Church Fine Arts building. American Visions Nominated Art will be on view at Nevada Museum of Art, and the Award Ceremony will take place Feb. 10, 2022 from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.

SCHOLARSHIP FOR PARENTS AND STUDENTS TO CONSIDER
The Taco Bell Foundation Scholarship, with over $7,000,000 is scholarships available to passionate students nationwide, is available for consideration and is due Jan. 11. According to their website, “It’s a different kind of scholarship.”

Applicants are to submit a video, between 30 seconds to two minutes, which addresses the questions: What is your passion, and how are you currently pursuing it, how do you plan to use your passion to uniquely make a positive change in your community or the world, and how will your education help enable you to pursue your passion and make a change.

Please keep in mind, many scholarships go unapplied for, so free money is never claimed. Fill out a scholarship, and go to college for free. For more information about this scholarship, go here.

UPCOMING SPORTS EVENTS
CHS JV Girls, Freshman Girls, and Freshman Boys Basketball will take place Jan. 3 at Damonte Ranch High School in Reno at 3:30, 5:00, and 6:15 tentatively. There is also a Varsity and JV wrestling Sierra Nevada Classic tournament at the Reno Convention Center, times yet to be announced.

NOTABLE CARSON CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT DATES FOR 2022
Below are some important future dates to consider. On Jan. 4, school classes resume, Jan. 11 CCSD School Board Meeting, 7:00 p.m., community center, Bob Crowell Room, Jan. 17 Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a school holiday, Jan. 24 is district early release day, Jan. 25 School Board Meeting, 7:00 p.m.

Feb. 7 non-school day for staff professional development, Feb. 8 School Board Meeting, 7:00 p.m., Feb. 14 district early release day, Feb. 21 President’s Day a school holiday, Feb. 22 School Board Meeting, 7:00 p.m., Feb. 23 community PLC meeting, 6:00 p.m., location yet TBD.

March 1, all 11th grade students take ACT test, only juniors attending high school, March 7 district early release day, March 8 School Board Meeting, 7:00 p.m., March 13 Daylight Savings Time begins, set clocks forward 1 hour, March 14 non-school day, March 22 School Board Meeting, 7:00 p.m., March 30 elementary parent conf. min. day, elementary dismisses at 12:40 p.m., March 31 elementary parent conference minimum day, elementary dismisses at 12:40 p.m.

April 4 district early release day, April 11-18 Spring Break, a school holiday, April 12 School Board Meeting, 7:00 p.m., April 25 non-school day staff professional development, April 26 School Board Meeting, 7:00 p.m.

May 4 community PLC meeting, 6:00 p.m., location yet TBD, May 10 School Board Meeting, 7:00 p.m., May 16 district early release Day, May 24 School Board Meeting, 7:00 p.m., May 30 Memorial Day, a school holiday.

June 1 minimum day, Carson High School, dismiss at 11:40 a.m., June 1 minimum Day, Pioneer Academy, dismiss at 11:30 a.m., June 1 minimum day, Carson Middle School, dismiss at 12:00 noon, June 1 minimum day, Eagle Valley Middle School, dismiss at 12:00 noon, June 1 Eagle Valley Middle School 8th Grade Promotion, 1:00 p.m., EVMS Gym, June 1 Pioneer Academy Graduation, 6:00 p.m., community center, theater, June 2 minimum day, last day of school, June 2 Carson Middle School 8th Grade Promotion, 1:00 p.m., CMS Gym, June 4 Carson High School Graduation, 9:00 a.m., CHS, Football Field, June 14 School Board Meeting, 7:00 p.m., June 28 School Board Meeting, 7:00 p.m.

CONSIDER BECOMING A MEMBER OF CHS PARENT TEACHER ASSOCIATION
Becoming a member of the CHS PTA comes with so many benefits. Receive discounted entry to CHS events, games, concerts, etc., and student members, those who are seniors, may apply for college scholarships from the PTA. Programs needing oversight are the Reflections Art and Literature Contest, College Life Interview Panel, Senior Projects, Staff Appreciation, support for CHS departments, teachers, and clubs, grants for teachers, and scholarships for students.

The best part of this is there are no requirements to become a member. Having a child, who is a student within the Carson City School District, is not even necessary. To submit a membership form, go to carsonhighschoolpta.weebly.com. The cost is only $6 per member per school year, so for less than the price of a single fancy coffee drink, become a part of making CHS better for all students.

STUDENT OF THE WEEK
Congratulations to CHS Sophomore, Erich Parker on being nominated Student of the Week. According to CHS Theatre, Musical Theatre, and English Language Arts teacher Andie Wilkerson, “Erich has an infectious energy which makes every class period with him a joy for both students and his teachers; he works hard to keep his grades up, overcoming every obstacle in his way, and does it all with a smile on his face and a positive attitude.”

Wilkerson added, “Erich is an active Senator and can be seen participating in tons of school activities including Chamber Choir, Drama Club, and more.” 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 Erich Parker in standing out so much so his teacher nominated him CHS Student of the Week.

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