Senator Square: CHS band is back, plus seniors enjoy smoky sunrise, chalk their parking spots

Through the smoke and the ash of California, Montana, and Nevada fires, with an air quality of 363, they wore their pj’s, were wrapped in blankets, and carried cups of Dutch Bros. and Starbucks as they gathered together for Carson High School’s Senior Sunrise.

Who wants to miss this onetime opportunity to celebrate the beginning of their final year at CHS. The Class of 2021-2022, now wearing optional masks and getting as close as they wanted to one another, met on the North side of CHS at 6:00 a.m. Aug. 27, climbed the bleachers, some holding on to each other while they did so, of the West side of the CHS football field to watch the sun rise.

Like the future, mysterious and unknown, students looked toward the East amidst the smoke and the ash. Though they are only in the second week of their last year of high school, and, for some of them, their last year as students raised in the Carson City School District, their outlook on life is rose-colored, inspirited, and buoyant.

Additionally, one of the perks of being a senior this year, students get to chalk their personal parking spots with the most colorful chalk they can find. During my time at CHS, class of 1986, we were able to paint our parking spots so the wind, weather, and wetness would not wash them away. Time keeps on moving into the future, but right now it belongs to the CHS Class of 2022.

THE BAND IS BACK
According to CHS Band Director Nick Jacques, “We're back, and on the last Friday of every month the CHS Jazz Band will perform in Senator Square at 7:00 a.m.” Jacques added, “After a year in cohorts, the full band will blow everyone away, so come check us out if you have a moment and thank you for supporting your amazing student musicians.” 

PURCHASE CHS APPAREL TO SUPPORT SENATORS
CHS Football has recently released its Team Store link to purchase apparel and other items to support the athletic program. If anyone is interested, come on Carson City, everything is purchased online and picked up by yourself at Graphics Factory, very easy and seamless.

Those planning to make a purchase will be able to do so next week. As many already know, the first game was cancelled last week because of the dangerous levels of smoke, but it appears there may be a reprieve the next two days to get in the freshmen and junior varsity games. The varsity game was moved from Saturday to Friday at 7:00 for various reasons and as of today teams are full steam ahead and planning to play.

CHS Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Blair Roman thanks the faithful community of Carson City for all its support amidst some of these more hazardous times of poor air quality. To purchase some beautiful blue, gray, and black CHS colors, please visit here.

ARMY NAVY AIRFORCE MARINES VISIT SCHOOL
Representatives from America’s military branches will be available in Senator Square Sept. 1 during lunch to answer questions and even sign students up to join. Students may stop by with questions if they are thinking about joining the military after graduating CHS.

KERRI OXOBY MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP GOLF TOURNAMENT
Silver Oak Golf Course, 1251 Country Club Drive will host the Annual Kerri Memorial Scholarship Golf Tournament Sept. 12. The tournament, a four-person scramble, is limited to the first 60 players to register, so do not wait for this pre-winter activity to pass by as winter is fast approaching. Proceeds from the event provide scholarships to CHS graduates to attend the University of Nevada, Reno.

There will be multiple $200 contest prizes awarded as well, not to mention the post-tournament barbecue at 1224 Crain Street. Prizes will be awarded to the longest drive, closest to the pin, and first and second place team awards. $115 green fees include range balls and a golf cart. Registration at the event is from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m. with a shotgun start at 9:00. In order to register, please contact Silver Oak Golf Course at 841-7000, Steve Oxoby at 742-7224, or go to silveroakgolf.com.

GRANTS FOR TEACHERS FROM DOLAN AUTO GROUP
The Dolan Auto Group is providing the following grants for teachers: One Grand Prize winner of $10,000, 13 classrooms with $5,000 prize winnings (voted by the community), and five classrooms with $5,000 prize winnings (voted by the teachers who submitted videos).

All it takes to apply is submission of a short video (keep it to two minutes, max) that will be voted on by the community. According to Valerie N. Dockery, Director of Grants & Special Projects with Carson City School District, “I would love to see Carson City teachers receive some of these awards…as always, I am happy to help you focus your ideas.” The last day to submit a video is Oct. 1. Dockery also added, “If students are in the video, make sure you have permission to feature them.” Please go here for more information and to submit a video.

SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKERS MY VOICE MATTERS FIRST EVENT OF THE YEAR
Last year, the School Social Workers worked with a group of students to discuss how to increase cultural inclusion and school engagement. To work towards their mission, the group My Voice Matters is pleased to announce the 2021 CHS Scavenger Hunt as their first event. The first step is to encourage students to find and sign-up for their class’ Google classroom for more information on the event and the distribution of clues which will begin to go out next week. Please help them spread the word. Alejandra Ayala is a School Social Worker II at CHS.

Contact her at aayala-ayala@carson.k12.nv.us, call her at 283-1834, or schedule a Virtual Office (for appointments and more!): http://bit.ly/alejandraoffice.

TRAVEL AND SEE THE WORLD
Rotary, a one-year program, has been sending Carson High students through its foreign exchange program for a number of years. The student goes to high school, stays with a host family, learns about the culture, makes new life-long friends, and has a life changing experience while learning a new language. Valued at up to $25,000, the youth exchange scholarship is provided by a community rotary club and includes a rotary counselor, room, board, tuition, and a monthly stipend.

Applications are to be submitted in Aug., Sept., and early Oct. Anyone interested in becoming a rotary youth exchange student, or being a host family for a rotary exchange student, should go to rye1590.org or info@rye1590.org. For more information, contact Peter Fishburn at 232-2271, or email pfishburn@charter.net.

SOLUTIONS OFFERS TUTORING TO EVERYONE
Parents, guardians, students, CHS Solutions begins Sept. 21. Students can get the help they need to bring their grades up and pass their classes. Individualized support from teachers and peer tutors is available. Solutions tutoring, mandatory for failing freshman, takes place in-person with academic support for Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Pre-Calculus, Health, Chemistry, English Learners, and Special Education.

For all the details about solutions, go here. Tuesday through Friday offers in-person tutoring from 2:05 to 4:00 p.m. Students check in with Program Coordinator Hannah Etchison at 2:05 p.m. in room 163. Snacks and drinks are available. CHS is also offering EL tutoring on Tuesdays and Wednesdays after school in room 223.

The class goes from 2:05 to 4:05 p.m., and a late bus will be available along with drinks and snacks. Morning Homework help is offered by CHS Physical Education teacher Jared Hagar in room 256 Tuesday through Friday from 6:40 to 7:40 a.m. For more information, please email CHS Program Coordinator Hannah Etchison at hetchison@carson.k12.nv.us, or call her at 283-1688.

WANT TO GO TO SPAIN OR PERU THIS SUMMER
Ever wanted to see the pyramids of Egypt, Zip Line down a volcano, whitewater raft down a jungle river, or eat a guinea pig? Come with Advanced Placement Seminar, Honors US History, World History, and Adult Education CHS teacher Benjamin K. Spence, M.Ed. on one of three exciting trips beginning this summer to Costa Rica, Peru, and Egypt. Ride camels, navigate the Nile, and experience life with a new perspective; it is more affordable than people think. See Mr. Spence in room 247, or email him at bspence@carson.k12.nv.us for details.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT LIVE HAS RETURNED
Wednesday Night Live is back and better than ever. The event takes place Sept. 22, and CHS teachers and administrators are going to participate in a traditional FLASH MOB dance. They will perform at lunch in Senator Square on the day of the Wednesday Night Live show which opens at the Carson City Community Center at 7:00 p.m. ~ Contributed by CHS Theatre, Musical Theatre, and ELA teacher Andie Wilkerson.

NEVADA RECYCLES POSTER CONTEST CALL FOR ENTRIES
Nevada Recycles invites all Nevada’s K-12 students to celebrate the 2021 America Recycles Day through its poster contest and the theme ‘Empty, Clean, and Dry’. Not only is there $600 in prizes for students and schools, students’ artwork will be showcased throughout Nevada.

All entries must be submitted to by Oct. 18, 2021, no later than 5:00 p.m. here. To see full contest details and to find more great resources on recycling in Nevada, go here. This event is sponsored by the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection and the Nevada Recycles division of NDEP.

STUDENT OF THE WEEK
Congratulations to Trey Thomas, a senior, on being nominated CHS Student of the Week. According to his nominating teacher, CHS Freshman Seminar and Health teacher Erin Been, “Trey is a dedicated student excelling in both school and as a member of the CHS Varsity Baseball team playing first base and pitcher; he is a respectful young man who is very focused on his goals, and we are proud to have Trey here as a Senator.” Trey wants everyone to know, "Every day, my teachers and coaches at Carson High are setting me up for success in the future; they have provided a great foundation in the classroom and on the baseball field, which will help me after graduation."

And this is what sets Trey apart from many. He is driven by his passion for baseball, and he desires to attend any college which allows him to play his favorite sport. In his free time, Trey loves to lift weights, enjoys off-roading with friends, and plans to major in behavioral sciences upon graduation from CHS. Congratulations to Trey Thomas for being nominated Student of the Week.

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