Senator Square: 'Happiest Carson High School Homecoming on Earth' a huge success

Homecoming, first seen in 1911 at the University of Missouri, is a wonderful event celebrated throughout the US at high schools and colleges. Homecoming is more than just a football game, it encompasses multiple celebratory events such as bonfires, tailgate parties, dances, and the crowning of a King and Queen. Fall is in the air in Carson City, and a change in the weather was one more reason for kids and adults alike to get out and celebrate this year’s Disney themed Happiest Homecoming on Earth.

Leadership students led the way with an Aug. 13 assembly introducing the Homecoming King and Queen candidates, and Monday through Friday brought out some of the most exciting costume ware of the school year, past, present, and future. The Disney themed Homecoming week began with Toy Story Monday, students dressed up like Woody during the day and had a bonfire at night. Tiki Room Tuesday was next with Hawaiian dress-up and the nighttime Lip Sync Battle at the Community Center.

Then, Wednesday was Jungle Cruise dress-up, animal print or camo, with Wednesday Night Live at the Community Center. Thursday brought on the Mad(ness) Tea Party dress-up being a mix and match of hats, crazy socks, and a nighttime drive-in movie in the Big Gym. Friday offered a world of Disney color, or lack of it, as students dressed up either whiteout or Disney, had an electric lunch time pep rally, and the ultimate nighttime activity of the Homecoming football game against Hug.

The nominees for King and Queen, chosen based on their qualities as individuals by their fellow students, are Mia Liao and Saeed Mobaligh, Alex Knowlton and Bryce Busch, Melanie Sepulveda and Anthony Singh, Taryn Encinas and Eduardo De Lion, Karrina Ferris and Cade Crookshanks, and Kailee Luschar and Kyle Navarro. Additionally, for the first time ever, the seniors had a powdered color event on the lawn from 5:45 to 6:15 p.m., followed by the parade with the ‘Crowning’ of the King and Queen at halftime. Happiest Homecoming on Earth culminates with a school dance from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. in Senator Square.

NJROTC ORIENTEERING TEAM BRINGS HOME 10 MEDALS
The United States National Orienteering Championship Competition was held Sept. 6 - 8 at the Big Basin Redwoods State Park in Boulder Creek, CA and Cabrillo College in Aptos, CA. The competition brings in top competitors from around the US all vying for recognition as the number one orienteers for their respective classes. Members of the CHS NJROTC Orienteering Team participated in the three-day event which involved competing in a middle course Sept. 6, a long course, and a sprint course Sept. 7.

The Carson team represented the State, district, school, and NJROTC program in a stellar manner with the team bringing home 11 medals. In the female classes, Cadet Trinity Harvey, a junior, placed 2nd on the long course and 1st in the sprint course earning her and CHS silver and gold medals. Cadet Bryar Fancher, a junior, placed 2nd on the long course earning a silver medal.

Under the male classes, Cadet Riley Dunn, a senior, placed 1st on the middle and 1st on the long courses and then 2nd on the sprint, earning himself and CHS two gold medals and one Silver. Cadet Kyle Navarro, a senior placed 2nd on the middle course, 2nd on the long course, and 3rd on the sprint course earning two silver medals and one bronze. Cadet Garrett Nussbaumer, a senior, placed 3rd on the middle course earning a bronze medal, and cadet Jared Deselms, a senior, placed 3rd on the long course earning a bronze medal.

Coach Dan Ingram stated proudly, “The team has worked super hard over the last year, taking 3rd overall at the NJROTC Navy National Orienteering Invitational Competition, and cadets Riley Dunn and Kyle Navarro were invited to represent Bay Area Orienteering Club at the Orienteering USA Junior National Competition where both went to competition held in Quantico, VA where they also performed in a stellar manner.” Ingram added, “Both of them brought back lessons learned that they shared with their teammates here at Carson, ultimately increasing everyone’s skill levels.” Now the team is at the start of the 2019 – 2020 season and focused on training and bringing the new freshmen up to speed. They have their eyes set on improving at each of the respective national competitions in the upcoming months.

SENATORS CYCLING COMPETES AT RATTLESNAKE ROUNDUP
In typical Nevada weather, Senators Cycling had to contend with the dry heat, clouds of dust, scarce shade, and wind as they competed against Northern Nevada bike teams at Rattlesnake Roundup in Reno Sept. 7. Senators Cycling members cheered each other on as they maneuvered around technical elements.

They continued the race season strong, where Elsa Harrison continued to lead her division, and Annika Robison placed seventh for freshmen girls. Olivia Syndergaard was awarded sixth place for junior varsity girls, and Spenser Bray placed fourth for freshman boys.

Junior Isaac Harrison placed eighth for junior varsity boys, and Nye Yackle placed second for varsity boys. Their next race will be Sept. 29 in Mammoth, CA where they will be riding at altitudes of 8000 feet. For more information about Senators Cycling, contact coaches Gary Casselman or Brigette Pugh at 283-1910 or visit senatorscycling.org. – Contributed by Senators’ Cycling alumni Sydney Fields.

TIME FOR THE 3RD ANNUAL 2019 JOG FOR JORDAN RACE AND SCHOLARSHIP
The students of CHS need their parents, their teachers, and their community members in order to become successful in this life; every ‘one’ matters. Please support the 3rd Annual “Jog for Jordan” 5K/10K/One-Mile Run Sept. 28 at McFadden Plaza to raise suicide awareness and prevention.

Suicide is a detrimental problem to the community, state, and nation, so please support this amazing cause, and honor all who have been lost. Seniors who have participated in a sport in high school, and who have a minimum 3.0 GPA, are invited to apply for the $1000 Jordan Woodward Scholarship, awarded to one male and one female. Extra consideration will be given to students who participate in or volunteer at the Jog for Jordan Race Sept. 30, have multiple years in a sport, and have a GPA above 3.5.

Race registration is found at register.chronotrack.com/r/32170. Scholarship applications are available in the CHS Guidance Office and are due by Oct. 20. Register online at ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=70580. Race day begins 8:45 a.m., and cost is $35 for the 5k, $45 for the 10k, and $20 for the one-mile race. Online registration is open until Sept. 27. Race day registration will also be available Sept. 28 from 7:00 to 8:30 a.m; however, prices will rise at this time to $40 for the 5k, $50 for the 10k and $25 for the one-mile.

There will be packet pick-up and on-site registration available from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Sept. 27. The one-mile kid's race will begin at 8:45 a.m., the 10k will begin at 9:00 a.m., and the 5k will begin at 9:15 a.m. Race fee includes a t-shirt, lunch, and a participation medal. Please register early to reserve preference of size on the t-shirt.

CHS LIBRARY OFFERS MULTIPLE OPPORTUNITIES
CHSenatorsLibrary is an active, engaging space to find resources, learn, create, and socialize.  In the first week of school, approximately 2100 students rotated through to checkout their digital Chromebooks. According to Media Specialist and CHS Librarian Ananda Campbell, “In the first three weeks, we have had 120 classes visit for lessons, books, and research help, we have checked out 438 free reading books, 280 eBooks, and 975 novels for English classes, and over 100 students spend lunch in the library every day.”  “You can find students reading, studying, playing, and just enjoying a few minutes with friends, and we are partnering with the Carson City Library to provide STEM programming and a book club on the 2nd and 3rd Mondays beginning in October” Campbell added.

NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY INDUCTION
National Honor Society will be holding its induction ceremony Sept. 23 beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the CHS Big Gym. All new members and returning members will be recognized, and of course, parents, families and faculty are encouraged to attend. Call teacher and adviser Monica Chavez at 283-1749 for more information.

FUTURE HEALTH PROFESSIONALS COMPETE IN HEALTH CAREER DISPLAY
Health Science II Future Health Professional HOSA students will compete in a Health Career Display event, Sept. 24-27, in which groups of two students research a specific health career of choice, develop a visual display, and give a five minute presentation to guest judges explaining why they chose that career, what they learned by researching that career, what forms of research they used to complete the display, and what they included on the display and why. Please pay attention to the HOSA fundraisers around Carson City as well because all money raised will help send HOSA students to State & National Competitions.

COLLEGE APPLICATIONS, COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS, AND COLLEGE REPS
College representatives visit CHS frequently. If students are interested in hearing about particular colleges, and all that college recruiters have to offer (often that means free swag), all they need to do is grab a pass from the Counseling Office in order to attend. Coming up: Montana Sept. 27, UNR Oct. 3, WNC Oct. 9, Portland Oct. 18, UNLV Oct. 22, Sierra Nevada College Oct. 29, and UNR again Nov. 5. There will also be a FAFSA workshop Oct. 22 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the CHS Library.

STUDENT OF THE WEEK
The CHS Student of the Week is Abby Golik, a junior. Abby is a member of National Honor Society, Future Health Professionals (HOSA), an officer for Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), and a member of the Varsity Girls Basketball Team. This past summer, Abby qualified for both National Competitions for HOSA and FBLA.

While at the HOSA National Competition in Florida, she placed in the top 10 in the competitive event of Job Seeking Skills. In addition to her extracurricular activities, Abby is a stellar student working diligently to maintain a 4.0 GPA. She recently worked alongside other FBLA officers to host a "Thank You" reception for CHS’ custodians. She is also currently enrolled full-time in the Jump Start program. Abby is a smart and hard worker who does so much to positively contribute to CHS.

SENIOR SPOTLIGHT
This week’s Senior in the Spotlight is Kaden Walt. Kaden maintains a 4.7 weighted GPA, 4.0 unweighted, and is currently taking a course load of AP and Honors courses. Kaden not only excels academically, but athletically as well. He has participated in CHS Soccer for the last three years, played competitive soccer for eight years, and has been a member of the CHS Swim Team for three years, and has been captain of the varsity soccer team for two years.

Because of his excellence in both academics and athletics, he has made the All-State Academic 1st team for the last three years in both soccer and swimming. Kaden has also received the CHS Academic Letter for the last two years. His other extra-curricular activities include National Honor Society, Key Club, and Health Occupations Students of America. Throughout the year, Kaden volunteers by helping the senior community in his neighborhood with snow removal, transportation needs to and from the grocery store, and appointments.

Remarkably, in addition to academics and athletics, Kaden works part-time refereeing for the Great Basin Youth Soccer League in the spring and at the Toiyabe Golf Club year-round. He is currently interested in attending either Boise State University, Montana State University, or University of Nevada Reno.

His ultimate goal is to become a Physician’s Assistant. Kaden’s humility, work ethic, and commitment to excellence are valued and appreciated.  We wish him all the best in his future endeavors. – Contributed by CHS Counselor Amanda Chambers.

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