Senator Square: Carson High School students just gotta dance

Time for Carson City students to put on their dancing shoes as April has The Friendship Ball, the Father-Daughter Ball 2022, and the 2022 Prom all with the theme of “A Night in Greece.”

The Friendship Ball took place April 21 from 6 to 8 p.m. as CHS students in Comprehensive Life Skills, along with their teachers, paraprofessionals, parents, caregivers, and their CHS Peer Advocates had a wonderful time dressing up, dancing, and witnessing the crowning of their Friendship Ball King and Queen. Next was the Father-Daughter Ball, April 22 from 6 to 9 p.m.

This dance is a fundraising event to support Leadership, Future Business Leaders of America, SkillsUSA, and Photography. All money raised is used to send students to State for each of the groups and help pay for Prom. Amazingly, this event sells out every year, and, shocker, it sold out again.

As equally amazing as the dances are the students behind the scenes who, with the guidance of Leadership Adviser Ann Britt and FBLA Adviser Angila Golik, transformed the CHS Big Gym so all visitors, young and old alike, would think they had walked into a dream.

“We will have two food trucks and one ice cream truck for students to enjoy their evening without having to leave the dance” added Britt, and “Celedon Events decorated the walls, the ceiling, and rented us some furniture and tables too.” Britt and Golik, in charge of putting these events together every year, along with their students, decorated during Spring Break.

They said, “We figure if we are going to put this much time and energy into Prom, we might as well show it off and include the other two dances.” Teachers and students know there are no special funds available for high school clubs to put on three dances, so when the above mentioned CHS clubs organize an event or a fundraiser, the Carson City community is always the foundation in the background.

Students in these clubs came in before school, stayed after school, and even came in on weekends to make these once-a-year events happen, and these same students were on hand to take tickets, help people find their way around, and clean up after the event.

Thanks to everyone who contributed, the dances are always a success. The Friendship Ball is a wonderful experience for special needs kids to dress up and go on a friendly date. The 5th Annual Father Daughter Ball gave fathers and their little princesses an opportunity to put on their nicest clothes and create a life-long memory. Even Hercules and Megara, the happy and exciting couple, were on hand to offer photos of fathers with their little princesses.

Prom will follow with hundreds in attendance, and two students, yet to be announced, will be crowned CHS’ 2022 Prom Queen and King. Please note the kids who were Winterfest and Homecoming Royalty are not Prom eligible.

Also, Prom Royalty is, typically, kids who have given back to the CHS school experience in a positive way over their time here: positive attitude, engagement in classes or sports, assisting with clubs or CTE programs, etc.  Kudos to the students, teachers, and staff who made these events happen.

CHS STUDENTS SPRING FORWARD IN 2022 CAPITAL CITY ARTS INITIATIVE
Thirty-two students from Carson, Dayton, Douglas, and Pioneer high schools have their work in Spring Forward 2022 student art exhibition at CCAI, also known as the Brick, 108 East Proctor Street, Carson City through May 12.

This exhibit presents an array of imaginative projects based on years of classroom study and includes a variety of art media including ceramics, collage, drawing, painting, and mixed media. Carson High’s participating students are Kora Ashton, Luis Carillo, Hailey Jeffries, Elizabeth Mahlmeister, Ella Martin, Morigan Ruffner, Yasmin Sevilla Santoyo, and Shelby Wickstead.

These students worked with teachers Alysia Kuniya and Karen McCraw. Pioneer High students are Aribella, Andrew Babauta, Lily Cordova, and Troy Winkler. They worked with teacher Paul Lorion. Participating students from Dayton High include Gisela Gonzalez, Josephine Lieb, Zoe Miklich, Eysia Torres, Ellie Vaughan, Jasmine Webb, and Raquel Workman who studied art with teacher Malaynia Wick, and Douglas High’s students include Dakota Caughron, MacKenzie Compton, Marin Collins, Laura Funk, Grace Frazee, Emma Glover, Cheyenne McCormick, Diara Navarrette, Brady Paschall, Gregory Quitano, Audrey Ruckman, Emma Shipley, and Kevin Thomas. Their teachers are Kelley Yost and Zoe Shorten.

The Initiative is pleased to announce its $500 Aim scholarship was awarded to Brady Paschall for Dapper Octo. The Initiative also awarded two honorable mention $250 scholarships to Laura Funk for her Coke Cat colored pencil drawing and to Gregory Quitano for his Glorious Lion ink drawing.

A gratitude of thanks goes out to both generous donors for supporting these students, their superb work, and CCAI. CCAI Executive Director Sharon Rosse said, “CCAI is proud present this high school show. The students’ art goes far beyond one’s expectations of sophistication and demonstrates their accomplished, diverse, and creative achievements.” This show is another in CCAI’s ongoing series of student exhibitions in the Brick. — Contributed by Sharon Rosse, 721-7424, sharonrosse2001@yahoo.com, or go to ccainv.org.

YEARBOOKS WILL SELL OUT SOON SO GET ONE NOW
The yearbook has been submitted for publication. This year's yearbook celebrates the theme of “Together Again” and “The 150th year of Carson High School.” In addition, the yearbook staff added 40 pages to the book for the same price. To purchase a yearbook, go to yearbookforever.com, search for Carson High School, select shop, and then select buy a yearbook. Like last year, we will sell out, so do not miss out. For more information, please email Yearbook and Digital Media Adviser Cynthia Mills at cmills@carson.k12.nv.us.

SCHOLARSHIPS OF INTEREST TO STUDENTS AND PARENTS
The 2021-2022 school year is almost finished, so it is more than wise for seniors to check out the latest Senator Scholarship Scoop at carsonhigh.com. Visitors simply click Academics, Counseling Department, and The Scoop.

TAKE AN EDUCATIONAL TOUR OF JAPAN WITH A CHS TEACHER
Dear parents, congratulations. Your son or daughter has been invited to travel with an experienced and well-traveled teacher, along with students from Carson High, on a trip of a lifetime to Japan in July, 2024. Limited space is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

A mandatory meeting is scheduled for April 28 at 6 p.m. in the CHS Library to answer questions for those interested in learning more about this opportunity. This program is an 11-day educational tour to Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, and Hiroshima. Students may receive high school credit as well for attending this tour, and studies have shown students who participate in a global education program while in high school are more likely to get into the college of their choice and hold leadership positions on campus.

The deadline to sign up is May 6. EF is offering a $200 scholarship for all travelers who attend the meeting and enroll by this deadline. The trip is expected to fill up before the deadline. Lock in the price of the tour and reserve a spot by registering online at the meeting with just $95. The price of the tour will be revealed at the meeting, along with monthly payment information.

Cannot attend the meeting, but are interested in having a child travel, please click on the RSVP link below, and click on "No, but send info". Please RSVP by April 28 so those in charge may know how many people to expect: RSVP here. If the link does not work, please copy and paste the following link into a browser window here. For more information, please email CHS Social Studies, AVID and AP Seminar teacher Ben Spence at bspence@carson.k12.nv.us.

STUDENT OF THE WEEK
Congratulations to Brookelyn McGee, a sophomore, on being nominated CHS Student of the Week. According to the nominating teacher, “Brookelyn arrives to school an hour before it begins so that she may get started working on the yearbook through the writing of stories, the taking of photographs, and the layout itself because she is one of two head editors.”

The teacher also said, “She plans to attend either UNR, Berkley, or NYU to major in Theatre Arts and Criminal Law.” 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. “Brookelyn, also a part of Youth Theatre Carson City Showstoppers, is a student who, for no other reason than the joy of being a part of something, participates in completing tasks in which she gets very little recognition and no pay.” Congratulations to Brookelyn McGee on becoming CHS Student of the Week.

SENIOR IN THE SPOTLIGHT
This week’s Senior Spotlight recognizes Hunter Matthies, one of Carson High School’s most accomplished students. Hunter is a superb student as well as a young man well-liked by both peers and adults. He currently has a GPA of 5.025 and will have successfully completed seven AP and numerous honors classes upon graduation. Hunter is a candidate for the AP Capstone Diploma, a nationally recognized diploma indicating his high level of academic achievement.

In addition, Hunter has completed the Architectural and Civil Engineering pathway at CHS, earning the state Certificate of Skill Attainment. Hunter is also active in CHS athletics and is on the varsity Track and Field team; he is considered one of the top athletes. He excels as a sprinter, and he represents CHS at the regional track meet. In addition to his busy schedule at CHS, Hunter works as a busser at Piazza, in Carson City.

He also enjoys outdoor activities including running, hiking, and camping. Of special note is Hunter’s passion regarding renewable energy. As a requirement for the Capstone Diploma, students must complete a 5,000-word research paper. Hunter chose to research the feasibility of expanding the concept of net zero housing to the idea of entire net zero communities.

His research led to the conclusion the concept of a community entirely supported by clean energy is possible with current technology, but it requires funding and leadership to make the concept a reality. This project, and his interest in global warming, has pushed Hunter toward his goal of a future job career working to make energy capturing devices such as solar panels cheaper and more efficient.

Hunter plans to further his education at UNR where he will be pursuing a degree in electrical engineering with a renewable energy emphasis. CHS is proud of the contributions Hunter has made to Carson High and the Carson City community and looks forward to the impact this talented student will have on the future of energy. CHS wishes him the best.

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