Senator Square: Weather, clothing changing at Carson High

The weather is changing at CHS, and so are the types of clothing some students are wearing. CHS Dean Sharon Hallinan sent an e-mail out to all CHS teachers about this weather changing challenge. Hallinan told teachers to “please remind students of the Dress Code; highlight the fact that bare midriffs and holey jeans, which violate the ‘Fingertip Rule,’ are not allowed.” Hallinan went on to say, “The Fingertip Rule, as you know, is a general guideline for students to determine if their skirts, dresses, shorts or holey jeans are inappropriate, so if students stand and extend their arms along their sides, bare skin should not be showing above their extended fingertips, and if bare skin is showing, they are in violation of the CHS Dress Code.” If a student is breaking personal attire rules at CHS, there will be consequences. Hallinan said to teachers, “If you have a student who is in violation of this rule, please write them up with a pink Dress Code Violation slip and send them to the office.” The purpose of the dress code is to promote a respectful learning environment free from distractions beginning on the first day of school and continuing to the final day, a mere 17 class days away. Clothing must be modest and must not promote or glorify illegal, promiscuous, gang-related or racially-biased slogans or behaviors; however, due to the warm weather, some of this is being seen. And what have teachers been seeing lately? Bare skin and undergarments for the most part — pajamas, slippers, blouses and shirts showing cleavage, skin visible at midriff, halter-tops, backless shirts, sleeveless shirts and strapless garments, shirts without sleeves and not covering the shoulders, hats, caps, hoods, bandanas, scarves, sunglasses, gloves and other head coverings. Shoes must be worn at all times, too, but students have been wearing flip-flops. Another often seen distraction are the pants which “barely” cover the skin around the waste and are not properly fitted, not to mention the baggy pants as well as excessively tight pants. Finally, rips or tears in pants, shorts, and leggings are also on the rise lately. It is amazing how quickly the CHS Dress Code is broken when the clouds break and the sun comes shining through. Visit carsonhigh.com for more information on student dress code.

THEY REFUSED TO LOSE

The CHS wrestling team had one heck of a year, and this one with a plot twist. For the first time, a female wrestler made it through an entire season. This amazing girl, Kiana Gallaher, is a freshman. Gallagher, wrestling since her eighth grade year, had originally joined because “it just sounded like an interesting thing to do.” Being the only girl on the team was hard at times as she felt like she had to constantly prove herself. “I feel like there’s more pressure put on me as a girl wrestler to be better because girls are supposed to be weak in a way,” Gallaher said. She wanted to quit a couple of times, but she pushed through till the end. With all the discrimination against female wrestlers, CHS’s team did not treat Gallaher any different because of her gender. “Everyone was treated as a wrestler,” said junior team member David Remer. Even though Gallaher had fun, she plans on managing for the wrestling team rather than being on it next year. Gallaher had the best time pushing past the stereotypes against female wrestlers, and said, “It was empowering, but at the same time it was a lot of work to be on the wrestling team.” Gallaher said, “There were times where I would almost win a match, but I was not quite there.” Her teammates did not have any complaints to having a girl on the team either. “She was really cool, very supportive and I don’t think she missed a single practice,” Remer commented. Gallaher was not the only one having a hard time. Remer worked hard this season, too, but he had a couple of bumps in the road. Remer, who needed to lose 14 pounds for a match, tried hard to lose the weight; eventually, he was able to push through and went to the match that week. During the match, he was winning at first, but because of his low energy levels he ultimately lost. He has no memory of the match, making it easier for Remer to put it behind him and push on through the season. In the end, Remer came out a champ winning second in State, his second regional title, fourth at another tournament, and he claimed the title of Highest Ranking Carson Wrestler. “It felt amazing, like all my hard work started paying off, which was nice to finally see that it was all worth it,” Remer said. Overall, the team did great winning several medals for CHS’ trophy case. CHS senior Cole Ashton had a victory that gave Carson the league title for the tenth year in a row, and junior Alex Wells, similar to Remer, placed third at regionals for the second time and went to state. With overall success for the entire team, the wrestlers are already looking forward to next season. — Lindsay Chowanski

GNCU CELEBRATES NATIONAL CREDIT UNION YOUTH MONTH

Congratulations to Makayla Hapgood and Saeed Mobaligh as each won a $50 Visa gift card in GNCU’s National Credit Union Youth Month contest held at the CHS branch during April in celebration of National Credit Union Youth Month. The contest was open to all CHS students. The official theme for the 2019 National Credit Union Youth Month was “The Future is Yours … Picture it! Save for it! Share it!” This theme encourages young members to look forward to their futures, picture their goals and learn how to save their money to chase their dreams. “It’s been proven that when we acknowledge and record our goals for the future, they’re more likely to come true,” said Michelle Kamke, marketing projects manager at CUNA. “By encouraging your youngest members to get into this habit, you’re fostering their ability to save for the future they dream of.”

HIGH ALTITUDE BALLOONS TO LAUNCH

Collin Belnap, CHS teacher of Intro to Engineering and Principles of Engineering, as well as Project Lead the Way said, “My Principles of Engineering classes are designing ‘Payloads’ that will be launched via High Altitude Balloon sometime around the middle of May. The High Altitude Balloon project is a collaboration between Northwest Regional Professional Development Program, CHS, and the Engineering Department at UNR. The project teaches students the fundamentals of engineering design and allows them to create experiments that will take place at altitudes in excess of 75,000 feet. Because the project is dependent on favorable wind and weather patterns, the exact date of the launch is not yet determined. All of CHS has an opportunity to be involved in this project. One of the payloads is dedicated to carrying hopes and dreams for the future to near space and then releasing them back to Earth. These ‘High Hopes’ are printed on bio-degradable paper and infused with flower seeds, so they may grow to become flowers this summer. Everyone in Carson City may submit their personal ‘High Hopes’ to be printed and sent up by going to bit.ly/2vgRIKl. Belnap said, “I encourage everyone to submit three different ‘High Hopes’, a personal hope, a hope for a person they know, and a hope for the planet and humankind.” The balloon will carry a payload of cutting edge experiments designed by Belnap’s brilliant future engineers.

OUT OF THE GOODNESS OF HIS HEART

The library book carts bring a pop of color to the CHS Library thanks to sophomore student Nathan Reynolds. According to CHS librarian Ananda Campbell, “Nathan is restoring a 1993 Jeep Wrangler and saw the drab book carts as an opportunity to practice with his automotive spray paint gun, so he used industrial paint for long lasting color and durability.” The idea, Campbell said, came when “he heard me talking about wanting to brighten the library and an idea about painting carts, but I didn’t know how, so Nathan offered to do it, so he could practice using his spray gun; I bought the paint, he took the carts home every few weekends over the last few months, just finished the last one, and they look beautiful.” Nathan Reynolds is now painting his Jeep, and, according to Campbell, “he’s got mad paint skills; thanks, Nathan, for brightening our day.”

MOB THE HALLS, DRESS FOR SUCCESS

On May 9, teachers and students joined the Mob the Halls and Dress for Success challenge. From 7:15 to 7:35 a.m., teachers stationed themselves at school entrances and welcomed students as they walked in. Frowns turned to smiles, and the good mood of the day began. It was also the time for the monthly Dress for Success Challenge where students and teachers busted out their nice threads and dressed to impress. This month’s Dress for Success winners are CHS photography teacher Kara Ferrin and CHS student Elias Palumbo. Each wins a gift card to Dutch Bros. There will be one more chance to win this year as Dress for Success will be held one last time May 22.

ATHLETES OF THE WEEK

CHS Athletic Department’s May 6 through 10 Athletes of the Week are Zander Smokey for Boys Varsity Golf and Jailene Salciedo for Girls Varsity Softball. 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

The CHS Student of the Week is Flor Aguilar. Nominated by her CHS history teacher Will Houk, he said, “She has been a hard worker in my class all year long and is also taking the EDU 110 class with Cheryl Macy; they are doing volunteer hours in a classroom at the elementary level and when she comes back from doing that she always tells me stories about the kids and how hard it is to reign them all in.” Houk said, “Flor is thinking about becoming a teacher, and when she goes to college, she will be a first-generation college student; it just warms my heart to see her finding something she enjoys and could turn into a future career.” Congratulations to Flor Aguilar.

SENIOR SPOTLIGHT

CHS is pleased to recognize Gryphon Matthies as this week’s Senior in the Spotlight. Gryphon has a 4.14 GPA and is finishing his high school career with a busy schedule of three honors classes as well as Project Lead the Way Computer Integrated Manufacturing. In addition to exceling academically, Gryphon is accomplished in many other areas. During high school, he played baseball for two years, and the last two years he was on the track and field team. He will be going to regionals this year as a member of the 4x800-meter relay. Outside of school, Gryphon loves to go hiking on his favorite trail; so far, it has been ‘C’ Hill. According to Gryphon, “It has a great view of Carson and the mountains around Tahoe.” Gryphon is planning on becoming a mechanical engineer, and he will be attending UNR to do just that. He is looking to work with TESLA or any other big manufacturer. Congratulations to Gryphon Matthies. CHS is very proud of his many accomplishments and wishes him the best in the future.

Phil Brady is an English teacher at CHS.