Senator Square: Carson High School's Carneta yearbook staff have successful year

As the school year comes to an end, the 2018-2019 Carneta yearbook staff can finally slow down and take a breath. At the end of the week before Spring Break, at 8:30 p.m., the final pages were submitted, and the book was officially finished. After months of interviewing, photographing, and editing, the book is currently being printed by Walsworth Publishing Co., in Marceline, Kansas.

The staff is ecstatic, especially about this year’s theme, It’s The Little Things. “I really liked it; I thought it was fun, we could do a lot with it, and the irony is that the minute we picked that theme, I see it all over the place and, you know, people were talking about it.

I do not know, maybe we were unconsciously picking that up. We had started with a more serious theme, and this was one that we could really buy into,” Patt Quinn-Davis, adviser, said. Some students got slightly annoyed by the occurrence of hearing the theme everywhere, once it was official. “I hate how it is everywhere. It is such a good theme, and it is just weird it came up so much (outside of the class). You would hear it on radios, and it would just pop up everywhere, once we made it our theme,” Aspen Carrillo, junior, copy editor and main photographer, said. Even with the annoyance of hearing it everywhere, jokes were told all the time during class to help relieve the stress, which is always much needed.

This class works themselves to the bone to crank out pages on time, making some people wonder why come back? “It is really fun even though it is stressful. It feels good when I accomplish things, and it is addicting in a way,” Olivia Singleton, junior and sports editor, said. Kamryn Main, sophomore, copy editor, and group photos editor said why she choose this class in the first place, “I decided to join yearbook because I have a big passion for writing and photography, and a yearbook is something everyone will look back on for the rest of their lives; it is really important I could be a part of it by being a visual storyteller for what happened at this school. This way people can remember the amazing things that happened.”

Yearbook is different for everyone, but the workload always gets heavier, the more years a student is in yearbook because of his or her experience. “When I was a beginner, I definitely had less of a workload. I was just getting used to the system and things, like getting used to the exact names, finding out who took the photo, and getting all the minor details, but this year I think the workload was more immense since I was taking on more and was experienced and able to do more,” Main said.

When deadlines get closer more hours are spent in the classroom to get the rest of the book finished on time. “Too many hours to remember,” Carrillo said when thinking about the countless extra hours she spent on the yearbook. Added time was spent this year because of what seemed like a very small design idea. A folio is the page number in the bottom corner, usually with a design element next to it. “I really liked the folios, and they were a real pain in the drain. That was my favorite.

Quinn-Davis said she also liked that the staff used Polaroid-inspired design element, which is reminiscent of the 1960s with the development of Polaroid cameras, early examples of ‘instant’ photography. “I think it is funny Polaroids have come back,” she said. A lot can be taken from yearbook, some skills achieved by the students go unnoticed. Quinn-Davis easily talked about what she saw were the benefits of the yearbook program at CHS.

“To see how the students develop and how they take it (yearbook publication) and run with it and see its use,” she said. “And how they build friendships, how they learn to work with each other. I also think, and I do not think the students even understand this, the fact that they could be assigned a topic they may hate, then they have to go and interview adults who they do not know. They have to take notes, and then they have to write a story that is enjoyable for kids their own age. That is the beauty of good journalism, and for them to be able to do that, they do not even realize what they have picked up in that process. That is a talent they have developed, and that is what I love,” Quinn-Davis said.

Once that final page is submitted, a sigh of relief comes from the entire staff. The end of the year is spent preparing for distribution day, which will occur May 23. Books are currently selling at $90. So hurry and get one fast; if you have not ordered your 2018 Carneta yearbook, there will only be a limited number for those who have not pre-ordered their yearbook - Lindsay Chowanski

— Editor’s Note: Lindsay Chowanski, a junior, is executive editor of this year’s Carneta yearbook. An honors student, she is also active in color guard, both field and winter season, and is a member of the Youth Group at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. Chowanski made many sacrifices to ensure this book was finished on time, but she would do it all over again because of the thrill of it. She plans on being a journalist as her career of choice and will be joining the JumpStart program her senior year.

Another Successful National Honor Society Blood Drive at CHS
The NHS Spring Blood Drive took place April 24 from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the CHS Small Gym, and NHS Adviser Brian Branch, along with NHS students, again took up the challenge of getting the word out to the Carson City community.

Donor Recruitment Representative Jessica Patrick wrote the following about the many amazing blood drives happening at CHS. Patrick said: I am thrilled to share these numbers with you! As usual, you and your students did an incredible job.

Overall you had 117 people step up to give the gift of life. From them, we had 82 successful donations and we were able to collect 106 units of blood. This blood will be used to save up to 318 lives. This brings the total units of blood collected from CHS during the 2018-2019 school year to 416 units with the potential to save up to 1,248 lives. Approximately half of the nation's blood supply is collected at blood drives like yours. We appreciate your choosing to work with us on this most valuable mission.

To the patients who receive blood, and to the people who love them, you are a hero. Please extend our gratitude to all your great donors and everyone who helped make this event a success. We really appreciate your hard work. We are so thankful for your continued support. All my best, Jessica P. Patrick, Donor Recruitment Representative. For more information about the Vitalant Blood Drive, please call either 775-785-6618 or 775-476-2022.

Cipriani's Barbershop Mark of a Man Award
CHS and Cipriani's Barbershop are proud to honor Micheal Hurlbert as March's Mark of a Man Award Winner. Micheal, a senior at CHS, was chosen for this based on his dedication to school, his reliability and good citizenship, and his exemplification of the 5 Ps: Punctual, present, positive, persistent, and passionate. Micheal has played football at CHS for the past four years; high school football requires long hours and a commitment to working toward something greater than oneself even when times get tough, and Micheal has been steadfast in this commitment.

He has even expanded his sports involvement to include Track and Field. Beyond his athletics, Micheal has also challenged himself to take courses that prepared him for college. Last year, he took honors level chemistry, and this year he chose to take college prep English as well as a college course in education in order to prepare him for a career as an educator.

Through his EDU110 class, he is completing an internship at a local elementary school classroom, and he is gaining critical skills that will support his success in college. This year, he has maintained high grades on top of completing his senior project, internship, sports, and working a part-time job.

He has participated in volunteer work with youth, both at his church and through the Junior Senator program, at CHS. At his church, he has been an active member of his youth group, and through the Junior Senator program he has taken time to read with elementary school students through a weekly mentoring program. Micheal’s kind disposition allows him to be liked by all who come in contact with him, and this unteachable skill will also help him to thrive as a future educator. Congratulations to Micheal Hurlbert. Way to make CHS proud.

FFA State Convention Winners Announced
CHS’ Capitol Future Farmers of America Chapter attended the 90th Nevada FFA State Convention last week competing in Veterinary Science, Milk Quality and Products, Creed Speaking, Horse Evaluation, Poultry Evaluation, Agriculture Mechanics, and Agriculture Issues. The CHS chapter brought home First Place in Poultry Evaluation, Jazmari Valdivia took Second Place as an individual, and Ben Tureson took Third Place as an individual in Poultry Evaluation. The Agriculture Issues Team took home Third Place, and Zion Belcastro was awarded the Nevada State FFA Degree, the highest degree a FFA member may receive at the state level. Congratulations to all of the winners and those who attended.

Drug Education Awareness Night Hosted by Carson High School
CHS Athletics is hosting a drug education and awareness night April 29 at 5:30 p.m. in the Big Gym. Presented by Carson City Sheriff's Office, the first 500 people who show up for this event will receive a free gift from the CHS Athletic Department. Not only would CHS like to see its spring athletes attend, CHS encourages all its athletes to be there.

GNCU Visa Gift Card Giveaway
In celebration of National Credit Union Youth Month, Greater Nevada Credit Union Education Branch at CHS is having a contest during April and will be giving away two $50 Visa Gift Cards. The contest is open to all CHS students who stop by the GNCU CHS Branch between 7:15 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. to pick up an entry form. All entries are due by 1:00 p.m. April 30.

Athletes of the Week
CHS Athletic Department’s Athletes of the Week for April 15 through 19 are Kedre Luschar for Girls Varsity Softball and Zachary Sever for Boys Varsity Track. 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
Jonathan Francone is the CHS Student of the Week. According to Jonathan’s grandmother, Carol Ruff, “I do not know if this is acceptable, being that I am his grandma, but I would like to nominate Jonathan Francone; I think of where he was less than 6 months ago to where he is today, and it is remarkable.” Because of a horrific car accident, Jonathan spent a great deal of time getting back into everyday life. According to Ruff, “He had to endure many hours of physical, occupational, and speech therapy to be as independent as he is today, and he still has physical therapy on an outpatient bases.” His grandmother went on to say, “He started back to school recently and was thrilled to be back around his peers and teachers; they have been so supportive, so thanks for letting me have this opportunity to tell you how thankful I am that we still have him with us and how proud I am of all that he has accomplished in 9 months.”

Senior Spotlight
The Senior Spotlight this week shines on Jarrod Meyer. Jarrod is devoted to his academics, his position in NJROTC and his future in college…and beyond. He works hard to maintain his 4.7 GPA while continually taking Honors, AP, CTE, and NJROTC classes. Jarrod has spent much of his time at CHS in the NJROTC program, dedicated to maintaining his membership all four years of his high school career.

This year, he serves as Cadet Lieutenant Commander, which is second in command of the CHS NJROTC program, a very well-deserved position. He is also the Bravo Company Commander leading his own group of younger NJROTC members. Jarrod has competed on the Varsity NJROTC Orienteering team for the past three years.

They have competed at the national level all three years, and this year they took Third Place in the nation. In addition to his involvement in NJROTC, Jarrod has been a part of CHS Athletics and the Career and Technical Education program.

He competed for three years in Track and Field as well as football and wrestling. He has taken four years of engineering, including two level three classes: Civil Engineering and Architecture, and Computer Integrated Manufacturing. In college, Jarrod plans to build on the engineering skills he learned at CHS. He will be attending UNR in the fall, where he plans to major in Civil Engineering. Good luck Jarrod. CHS is proud to have had Jarrod Meyer as a student.

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