Senator Square: Carson and Douglas teachers defeat officers in basketball game fundraiser

Carson High and Douglas High teaming up together is right up there with the appearing of Halley’s Comet. Officially designated 1P/Halley, this is a short-period comet visible from Earth every 75–76 year and is the only known short-period comet that is visible to the naked eye from Earth and the only naked-eye comet that might appear twice in a human lifetime.

This has, maybe, never happened before, maybe, and it will likely never happen again though it was intensely fun and exciting to watch long-time rivals Carson High and Douglas High School teachers actually team-up, totally unbelievable, hold on, to compete alongside one another in order to defeat those who protect and serve Carson City and Douglas County.

Surprised about the teachers beating the cops, no way. Get a bunch of rival teachers together, and no one, not even the cops, will be able to defeat them. The 4th Annual Teacher Basketball game was held in the CHS Big Gym Nov. 13, and that which no one expected transpired; the CHS and DHS teachers beat the cops 43 to 28, roughly. According to CHS teacher and Leadership Adviser Ann Britt, “This year we did things a little bit (understatement]) differently by having teachers against the local Sheriffs’ offices.”

Britt, herself an amazing athlete, said “The theme, Books versus Badges, allowed CHS and DHS teachers to take on the Carson City and Douglas Sheriffs’ offices with all proceeds going toward putting an end to domestic violence.” Britt added, “We won and raised $1,337.70 to donate to Advocates to End Domestic Violence.” Will this event ever happen again, and will anyone who saw this game with the naked eye be alive to see it happen again? Halley’s next appearing will be in 2061, so maybe.

25TH ANNUAL CARSON HIGH SCHOOL HOLIDAY CRAFT FAIR
It is time once again for the 25th Annual Carson High School Holiday Craft Fair Nov. 22 and 23 at CHS. For shoppers, the doors open Friday at 5:00 p.m., and the event goes until 8:00. Tickets are $2 for Friday and include re-entry on Saturday as well as a raffle ticket. Saturday's hours are 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with prices for adults at $1.50 or $1 with a canned food donation.

Children and students K-12 are free. Barbie said, “This year we have 150 booths with over 125 vendors; of course Santa will be there along with great food from CHS Culinary Arts, gift wrapping from Band Boosters, WebDesign graphic gifts, AAUW pecans, and SafeGrad sticker sales.” For students who help the crafters load and unload, there is free scholarship money available. The more years an individual works, the more he earns senior year. Student and club booths keep their entire amount collected with no fee charged to have a booth for any student groups, and another $50 is donated for his efforts. Advisors’ assistance is appreciated as well. “You can all be very proud that it is considered one of the best places to go to have fun, be entertained, and shop; I always hear praise from the crafters about how incredible our students are and how much they appreciate their efforts” said Barbie.

Thursday evening, craft fair volunteers will coordinate the marking of the booths for the show’s layout, and on Friday, students are needed for unloading crafters from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., and Saturday from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Students who assist with the loading and unloading of crafters earn stipends at a rate of $5 per hour for their club, sport, or group of up to three. Check in at the north foyer outside the Big Gym, and adult volunteers will be there to assist. Volunteers may contact CHS teacher Wendy Tims at chsgbvolunteer@gmail.com or signup.com/go/nEbSAfN or Cathy Barbie at 882-8109 or barbiecathy55@gmail.com for more information.

SENIOR PROJECT SPOTLIGHT
Senior Project Spotlight is on senior Alana Leigh Jeffries, who is working alongside and job shadowing a horse trainer for her Senior Project. Jeffries, who has been riding since the age of 10, enjoys riding both English and Western style and is very passionate about riding in general. For her learning stretch, a required aspect of the Senior Project, Jeffries will actually be training another individual. After graduation, Alana plans to attend college and obtain a degree in Graphic Design.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR CLASS OF 2020 SENIOR PROJECTS
CHS Senior Projects for the class of 2020 are ramping up, and the Senior Project Committee is looking for community members to volunteer to judge and review portfolios. Reviewing takes place in April 2020, and judging for presentation day is April 27. This is a great opportunity to get involved with the CHS Senior Project program in order to support graduating seniors. Please sign up to volunteer at chsseniorproject.weebly.com, contact Melisa Kunter at 283-1640, or email seniorproject@carson.k12.nv.us for more information.

FAMILY, SCHOOL, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT EVENT AT CHS
On Nov. 14, in the CHS Library, the high school hosted the first family, school, and community engagement event which focused on combating chronic absenteeism. Over 350 families of CHS students received invitations via USPS mailed, emailed, personal phone calls, and a robocall to the event due to their school attendance absences this year. According to Safe School Professional Kelly Edmundson, “We hope to learn more about the various barriers to attendance our students are faced with, and connect their families to community resources in order to help reduce those barriers.”

The evening began with a student guest speaker who shared a success story of overcoming chronic absenteeism. Students and parents then rotated through various groups to discuss the topic in greater depth and came back together to share takeaways and feedback and to come up with an attendance success plan.

Topics discussed were low value motivation, relationship barriers, health challenges, academic struggles, and basic needs challenges. Attendees to the event were CCSD staff, Partnership Carson City, Carson City Community ICAN Family services, NAMI Nevada, The Children’s Cabinet, Ron Wood Family Resource Center, and the Counseling Center. Truancy and Dropout Prevention Officer, Alice Valdez may be reached at 283-2802 with questions about how she supports students and families. Also available for questions is Safe School Professional Kelly Edmundson, 283-1821 or kedmundson@carson.k12.nv.us.

CHS NJROTC BATTALION INSPECTION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
According to Naval Science Instructor Chief Daniel Ingram, “The entire CHS NJROTC battalion will be inspected by their area 13 manager Nov. 19 in two phases.” Ingram said “‘Personnel Inspection’, conducted in the morning, is phase one where each cadet is evaluated for meeting uniform standards and NJROTC curriculum knowledge for the Naval Science course level in which he is enrolled.” Ingram continued “Phase two is the ‘Pass-In-Review’ where cadets demonstrate the drill and ceremony skills they have learned, which gives the area manager an opportunity to review the battalion as a whole; during this phase, the cadets must display the appropriate discipline that aligns with the NJROTC and US Navy's core values of Honor, Courage and Commitment.”

“Last year, CHS NJROTC were designated Area 13's ‘Most Outstanding Unit’ which placed them in the top 10 NJROTC units out of 583 across the nation” Ingram added. CHS’ NJROTC is striving to keep this honored distinction, and performing well at this year's area manager's inspection is crucial. Phase one is closed to the public as it is during school hours; however, Phase two begins at 5:00 p.m. in the CHS Big Gym and is open to the public. It runs approximately one hour. “We hope to see the bleachers filled for this event showing the area manager what great support the NJROTC program has from its Carson City community.”

CARSON CITY BUSINESSES SUPPORT SAFE GRAD
Throughout November and December, supporters of Safe Grad will be generously donating portions of their sales to the class of 2020’s end of year celebration. For instance, the 25th Annual Holiday Craft Fair, Nov. 22 and 23, is asking for adult and student volunteers, to work Nov. 22 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 23 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. For every hour worked, Safe Grad will receive $5. They may sign up by the CHS Big Gym or by going to signup.com/go/nEbSAfN.

Make a calendar note Firehouse Benefit Night is Dec. 16. All day long, dine in or drive thru, Firehouse will donate part its proceeds to Safe Grad. Safe Grad itself is set for June 8 and 9 and really in need of volunteers. Without the wonderful and needed support of parents and community, this event would not be possible. This year’s volunteer signup program is found by going to signup.com/go/acPsyOg, the leading online sign up and reminder tool. It is easy too. Click the link, review the options listed, choose the spot(s) preferred, and sign up. Registering an account, or keeping a password, is not necessary, and SignUp.com does not share personal information with anyone. Prefer the old way, please contact me the Safe Grad volunteer coordinator at 741-3918, or go to emailchsgbvolunteer@gmail.com.

LOCAL ESSAY CONTEST STILL OPEN
The deadline for the Voice of Democracy is Nov. 18, and students interested in a $30,000 scholarship fund for college or trade school are asked to participate. The theme is "What Makes America Great"? Peggy Green-Wilson, Secretary of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary Kit Carson Post 3726, said, “I have contest rules and entry forms aplenty.” Green-Wilson went on to say “…all state winners will receive an all-expense paid trip to Washington DC with a parent and part of $154,000 in scholarship money.” Please call Green-Wilson at 220-0047, or email her at pgwilson7@charter.net.

UPCOMING ATHLETIC EVENTS AT CHS AND BEYOND
Winter sports are here, and everyone in Carson City is always invited to come on out and support the CHS athletic teams and programs. Right now, boys and girls are trying out for basketball, ski team, and wrestling, and girls are voluntarily practicing for softball, so stay tuned for upcoming game announcements.

STUDENT OF THE WEEK
Congratulations to George Cox Jr. for becoming the CHS Student of the Week. According to CHS Art teacher Mike Malley, “George Cox Jr. is enthusiastic and has a strong work ethic.” Congratulations to George for doing such a good job in school, he was noticed and nominated by his teacher.

SENIOR SPOTLIGHT
A shining light, a heart for giving, and a passion for adventure, this is Charish Creon, November Pioneer High School Senior in the Spotlight. Charish is in her third year at PHS, dual enrolled at Western Nevada College as a Jump Start student. She came to PHS hoping a smaller school setting would help her focus on her studies. It certainly did that, and even more; Charish credits the school with the encouragement she needed to help shape her future. Since early in eighth grade, Charish knew she wanted to work with students with special needs.

It was when she enrolled in the Carson High Peer Advocate class, which connects mainstream students with special needs PE students, she found how she might translate those dreams into reality. Charish passionately believes students with special needs deserve dedicated people who love and support them. She wants to give what she has to offer and is confident directing her future toward special education is how she intends to make an impact. Taking dual enrolled classes at PHS and WNC, Charish is well on her way to achieving her goal.

Taking five classes, while maintaining a 3.48 GPA, Charish plans to continue at WNC after high school graduation as both a Millennium and Nevada Promise Scholar. Once obtaining her Associates degree, she then plans to transfer to a university to complete an education degree with an emphasis in special education. As if that is not enough, in addition to a busy full-time school schedule, Charish enjoys modeling and travelling.

She hopes to travel and experience many parts of the world before she settles down. PHS looks forward to seeing what Charish will accomplish in the years ahead and expects to find her among its distinguished alumni. — Contributed by PHS counselor Cary Jordan.

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