Senator Square: Carson High School performing arts show must go on

All forms of acting, whether it is for film, television, commercials, or voice overs are rare and amazing skills, but the love of theatre, of live and in person performances, is unlike all others combined. Julie Andrews said, “The arts make a bridge across this world in ways that nothing else can.”

Acting on the stage is similar to a real life process in the respect there are no retakes, so actors need to be ready for anything, similar to real life experiences. Theatre is the art, process, and effect of live performance, and this is incredibly important in the current world of social media, digital technology and screens.

Being fully present with a group of tangible, living, breathing people is important to the art of acting and for the human spirit. Steve Martin said it best with “Be so good they can’t ignore you.”

This is why community support for Carson High School Theatre Arts is so important because community involvement guarantees its preservation. It is time once again for CHS Performing Arts to put on their next live musical performance of The Show Must Go On! a high energy musical revue featuring performances from Broadway's hottest musicals including Mean Girls, Beetlejuice, Six, The Greatest Showman, and more.

Recently, CHS Theatre Arts rocked the stage with She Kills Monsters, and they are so excited to return to the stage with their first live Spring Musical since the start of the pandemic. In Spring 2020, the pandemic shut down the musical just days before opening, a devastating blow to all involved.

Last year's virtual production of Annie was a huge success, but not the same as a live performance, and these resilient young people cannot wait to share their hard work and passion for the stage in front of a live audience again.

This production features many of Carson High’s finest talents as vocalists, instrumentalists, dancers, directors, and choreographers including seniors Hannah Walker, Julia Nolan, Joseph Hitchcock, Alyson Esquivel, and Emma Thomsen as well as juniors Delanee Betrue, Emma Cavner, and Jonah Toral, sophomores Erich Parker, Parker Schmid, Josie Verive-Cain, Oscar Gomez, Brookelyn McGee, Zach Carpenter, and freshman Weihilani Ronk.

The Show Must Go On! will run April 1 at 7 p.m. and April 2 at 2 p.m. at the Carson City Community Center located at 851 East William Street in Carson City. This event is free to the public. For information, please contact Andie Wilkerson at awilkerson@carson.k12.nv.us.

CHOIR-PALOZZA BACK AFTER TWO YEAR COVID DELAY
According to CHS Fine Arts and Choral Music Educator J. Andrew Sonnemaker, “Choir-Palooza has returned after Covid has denied us this live in-person tradition for the last two years.”

This note invited everyone to come support the CHS Choir I, Choir II, Concert Choir, Chamber Choir, and Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced Musical Theatre students as well as future CHS students as Eagle Valley and Carson Middle School ensembles joined in March 24 at 7 p.m. for Choir-Palooza “in the Morse Burley Gymnasium for this hour-long entertaining performance featuring the middle school choirs performing together as well as a selection from each of our high school ensembles and concludes with a musical theatre number combining the middle school and high school students and a choir selection” Sonnemaker added.

He also said, “While I have your attention, I would also like to take this opportunity to publicly thank CHS teacher Jenn Minifie and the entire CHS PE staff for so graciously allowing us to use the big gym for this activity each year; thank you for your support of our Fine Arts students.” CHS Choral Music Educator J. Andrew Sonnemaker may be reached by emailing asonnemaker@carson.k12.nv.us.

NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY BLOOD DRIVE WELCOMES THE COMMUNITY
National Honors Society will be hosting a blood drive March 31 from 7:45 a.m. to 2 in the CHS Small Gym because “We are allowed to have community members come and donate again” said CHS teacher and NHS adviser Jennifer Alexander.

Large numbers of donors are needed, and donors must be 16 or older. Anyone under 18 must have a signed parent consent form and a picture ID when donating. Snacks and drinks will be provided. Sign up by talking with an NHS member, or go to donors.vitalant.org/dwp/portal/dwa and search using zip code. Parking for all donors will be in the north student parking lot; enter through the front doors. An NHS member will show donors to the Small Gym when they arrive.

Donors do not need to check in at the front office. Call teachers and NHS advisers Monica Flinchum at 283-1749, Jennifer Alexander at 283-1720, or email them for more information.

SPEECH AND DEBATE COMPETES IN STATE DEBATE TOURNAMENT
Carson High competed in the State debate tournament, participating with 25 schools. Competing in Duo Interpretation, partners Jessica Knutson and David Mariscal Gonzalez placed tenth with Ryan Soulier and Mason Tims taking ninth.

In Dramatic Intepretation, Abby Cook placed third overall with her piece titled "Glossy Eyed Sandra" examining the impact of eating disorders on teens. Carson debaters also competed in the annual Rotary Club Speaking contest. The topic for this year, "Share with us a time you performed service for others and how were lives impacted, including your own".

Jessica Knutson and Olivia VanReese Roering placed first and second and will move on to the area contest held in April. Next up for the team is the national qualifier tournament at Reno High. Pictured: Jacqueline Estrada Diaz, Jessica Knutson, Parker Schmid, Olivia VanReese Roering at the Rotary competition. For more information, please email Carson High Social Studies and Speech and Debate Coach Patrick Mobley at pmobley@carson.k12.nv.us.

10TH ANNUAL SAFE GRAD RUN AND WALK ALMOST HERE
CHS’ Safe and Sober 5k Run and Walk is April 2 beginning at 8:30 a.m. at the CHS track. Interested walkers and runners may find the application at carsonhighsafegrad.com. The Safe Grad Committee is looking for sponsors and raffle prize donations too.

This is a great opportunity for individuals and businesses to get their name and products seen in the community. Register early by mailing in a form and check payable to Carson High Safe Grad Booster, PO Box 486 Carson City, NV 89702. Regular fee is $35 and $25 for students or younger. Check-in is from 8:30 to 9 a.m., and the 5K begins at 10 a.m. Safe and Sober 5K is organized by volunteers of the CHSGB.

The CHS Safe Grad program has been an annual tradition in Carson City since 1988, providing graduating seniors with a safe and sober all night celebration on the eve of their graduation, followed by a trip to the Six Flags Discovery Kingdom amusement park in Vallejo, California. This event has been a tremendous success in that not one graduation night fatality for a CHS graduate has occurred since its inception.

COLLEGE DAYS AND COLLEGE WEEK EVERY WEDNESDAY
Carson High School @Senators Library is kicking off College Week by celebrating our Seniors who have been accepted to a post-secondary school, military, job training, or service program, and CHS teachers are posting their college alma mater seals by their classroom doors and getting ready every Wednesday to wear their college swag in order to bring to focus the benefits of attending college.

Seniors are also asked to share their college acceptance information to be featured on the Acceptance Wall of Fame on the CHS Library windows, and Seniors are invited to share their post-grad plans here.

A window display celebrating CHS Seniors will be the library window focal point for the remainder of the year. Students are also being asked to make a list of all the people who could support them in their quest for graduating from college debt-free. Each of the following schools will have a table set up in Senator Square during lunch: March 11 and 13 is WNC, Paul Mitchell School, and Sierra Academy of Style, and March 14 is Vento Education and Sierra Academy of Style.

UPCOMING EVENTS AT CHS
There are over 80 businesses coming to CHS to interview kids for jobs, and at least 1000 students will be attending the job fair April 6 from 9 to Noon in the Big Gym and Pioneer Academy.

Teachers are also invited to take their classes. Freshmen will be allowed to attend during lunch only, but grades 10-12 are allowed to request individual passes to attend. Students are asked to bring their resumes. This will be a great opportunity for business owners to meet potential student employees, for students to find available job opportunities, and for information on how to apply.

This is a great time for employers to showcase their business to the students of CCSD. These businesses may be seen by going here. For more information, please contact Carson City School District Work Based Learning Coordinator Marc Rodina at carsoncityschoolswbl.com, mrodina@carson.k12.nv.us, or 775-283-2055.

ATHLETES OF THE WEEK
CHS Athletic Department's Athletes of the Week are Talia Thornburg for girls varsity swim and Nicholas Melsheimer for boys varsity swim. 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 Senior Fatima Ramirez Hernandez on being nominated Student of the Week. According to her Science Fiction, Fantasy, Senior English Teacher, “Fatima is a mature beyond her years, and her kindness and gentle disposition actively demonstrate what she will need to become successful as a secondary education teacher.”

Her teacher added, “She is an exemplary student, a future college graduate, and a mold breaker; she makes CHS a better place with her positive attitude and hopeful perspective.” 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 Fatima in standing out so much so her teacher took time to nominate her as CHS Student of the Week.

SENIOR IN THE SPOTLIGHT
This week’s Senior in the Spotlight is Sokhna Ndoye, who grew up in Rufisque Dakar, Senegal. One of six siblings, Sokhna lived with extended family as her parents immigrated to the US in search of a better life for their children. At the age of thirteen, Sokhna was able to join her parents, and she entered the school system as an English Language Learner.

When Sokhna transferred to CHS, it was apparent from day one, with the incredible support of her parents Mandoye and Alima, she was determined to challenge herself beyond expectations. She dedicated herself to continuing to practice English and was able to exit the EL classes after a short time.

She enrolled in many honors classes and took the challenging Career and Technical Education course, Health Science. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics have been Sokha’s favorite courses at CHS with math and science being the areas in which she thrives. Beyond the classroom, Sokhna is a compassionate and kind student with a wonderful sense of humor.

She works hard to make others feel welcome and comfortable, and all of her teachers report she is a highlight in their day. CHS Librarian Ananda Campbell, said of Sokhna, “When you meet her, you are instantly impressed with her dedication to her future and her continuous positive attitude.”

As a first generation college student, Sokhna felt the pressure to ensure she fulfills her parents’ dreams and pays them back for their sacrifices. She was recently accepted to attend University of Nevada, Reno in the fall to study nursing or pre-medicine. She has also been working diligently to apply to every scholarship she qualifies for in order to cover the cost of school. Sokhna has a bright future because of her determination, family support, and positive outlook, and CHS is proud to honor her!

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