Courtney LeBlanc, front, is the new CCHS National Honor Society chapter president and Vera Vaz is the outgoing president.
Photo by Steve Ranson.
The National Honor Society chapter at Churchill County High School inducted 47 members May 24 and introduced the new officers for the 2021-22 school year.
Inducted were those members from the 2020-21 class. Because of the restrictions implemented for the coronavirus last year, the ceremony was canceled.
“Because the school wasn't able to host an induction last year, we are inducting all members who have served in their positions for the entire academic year as well as new, incoming members who will serve next year,” said Monica Fairbanks, the chapter’s adviser and an English instructor at CCHS.
The NHS chapter began in 1957 at the high school and membership includes a strong academic record and leadership in various school organizations or projects such as blood or food drives.
CCHS art instructor Jaime Shafer, who has been in Fallon for four years, gave the keynote address and discussed the importance of service and how volunteering helped with the advancement of her career as an artist. When she taught in Pennsylvania, Shafer said she helped her students fundraise and put on an art exhibit.
“I dedicated myself to providing as many opportunities to the students,” she said.
Shafer said she made a decision to seek her graduate degree in art at a Washington, D.C. college. She told the inductees and guests that she took advantage of opportunities.
“It was put yourself out there to take risks,” she pointed out.
As a graduate student, Shafer said people must put in the effort to benefit from volunteering and to the students, she said it’s a chance to contribute to their community.
Once she arrived in Fallon to teach at the high school, Shafer said she became involved with the community and fostered relationships through volunteerism. Almost two years ago, she began the national “Why You Matter” campaign. After hearing about the program at a National Art Education Association conference, Shafer said the program needed to be implemented in the community. In a 2019 interview with the Lahontan Valley News, she said the high school wanted to remind students that they each have an important part to play in their school and community.
“My work with various organizations is more satisfying than I expected,” she said.
Steve Ranson / LVN
Art teacher Jaime Shafer gives the keynote address.
Class of 2021
Christopher Ehlers
Meeka Erwin
Matthew Fagundes
Malcolm Feest
Allison Frost, 2020-21 Secretary
Paige Green
Hailey Guerrero
Cole Hamlin
Elizabeth Ikonen
Kalea Lattin
Savana Manha, 2020-21 Historian/Parliamentarian
Raelynn Neumann, 2020-21 Treasurer
Melanie Plasse, 2020-21 Webmaster/Public Relations Officer
Josiah Rosario
Larissa Sanches
Matthew Sorensen
Avery Strasdin
Vera Vaz, 2020-21 President
McKay Winder, 2020-21 Vice President
Steve Ranson / LVN
Students wait for the induction ceremony to begin.
Class of 2022
Zoey Brown
Jasmin Castanon
Elvira Chavarin
Wade Cushing
Lillian Howard
Emmalee Irving
Hailey Lackey
Courtney LeBlanc
Sam Lee
Zoey Lingenfelter
Nathan Lords
Britney McArthur
Cailan Menius-Rash
Cheyenne Nelson
Caleb Proffen
Addison Smith
Luke Sorensen
Madeline Stephens
Kyla Trotter
Steve Ranson / LVN
Hailey Guerrero was one of the seniors inducted.
Class of 2023
Lydia Bergman
Ruth Casillas
Cameron Christy
Corel Escartin
Addison Hollister
Brent Hughes
Sonialynn Natividad
Gerik Wassmuth
Camille Winder
Steve Ranson / LVN
Savana Manha lights a candle during the induction ceremony.
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