Senator Square: Foreign Affairs: Making a Home Away From Home

Editor’s Note: The following story will appear in the spring edition of The Senator News, CHS’s newspaper. The story was written by staff writer Dominick DeLise, a sophomore at CHS.

This August, two 2016 CHS graduates, and a student who finished her sophomore year, will begin another year of high school in a new country, learning a new language, and living with a different family. Seniors MacKenzie Gilliam and Delaney Fine, and sophomore Alexa Conrad, were chosen for the Rotary exchange program.

Gilliam will be going to Italy, Fine to Belgium and Conrad to Leon, France. While on the other side of the world, the students don’t get to go back home for the year they are there, but their parents do get to visit them. Students don’t get to work while attending school because they’re on a foreign visa. They do, however, get $100 a month for spending money. Gilliam said since her aunt and mother were foreign exchange students, and her grandfather was the president of the Rotary Club, she thought it would be nice to follow in their footsteps.

“I’m excited to learn a new language and go to a different high school,” said Gilliam. “It’s a whole different experience. I’m 18, and I want to get out of my comfort zone.”

She will, however, miss her family and friends. Adjusting to a new family may be hard, but Gilliam said she’s fully aware adjusting to something new is just a way of life.

Conrad said she’s also excited about the experience. She said it has always been a dream of hers to travel to France and study culinary.

Conrad is also excited to learn a new language and live with a different family. While there she said she’s going to indeed miss her friends, but she’s just too excited to really worry about it.

Fine said she also is looking forward to her year in Belgium.

“I’m doing it because I want to experience new cultures, and I want a chance to meet new people who are different than me. I didn’t want to have to come back and finish high school. I want to keep moving forward with life and start college.” Going to Belgium was a top pick for Fine because she speaks French and wants to go to a country where she’s comfortable with the language. She’s also looking forward to meeting her exchange family.

“I’m excited to see what it is like, and they will be like my new safe haven.”

Excitement doesn’t even begin to describe how she feels about going to a new school. According to Fine, she’s not allowed to drive while she’s in Belgium, so she’s excited to take public transportation.

CHEERLEADING TRYOUT CLINIC

A cheerleading tryout clinic for CHS athletes, and assistance in the filling out of the online athletic packet for parents, will happen from 6-8 p.m. May 3 in Senator Square and the CHS Library. The clinic will go over the CHS school song and cheer skills, and a member of the CHS Athletic Department will be available to help parents fill out the necessary paperwork online. Questions? Please contact either Coach Mikayla: mikayla.y.story@gmail.com or Coach Sheila: sstory@carson.k12.nv.us. Packets may be completed online at carsonhigh.com by clicking the “Athletics” tab. Print out the athletic packet and bring it in.

SAFE GRAD FOR SENIORS

Attention seniors and parents, registration forms for the CHS Safe Grad party and trip were mailed April 4, and the deadline for registration is May 15. This opportunity is a great way to celebrate graduation and spend an exciting last time with classmates who are going in different directions in life. The party, held at Carson City Community Center, is filled with games, music, dancing, entertainment, swimming, raffle prizes, and food. After breakfast, graduates will load onto comfortable buses headed to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo, CA. Questions? Please email carsonhighsafegrad@gmail.com. Hit ‘like’ on the Facebook Safe Grad page to be advised of all activities. Please visit the website at carsonhighsafegrad.com.

STUDENT OF THE WEEK

The CHS student of the week is Nohely Montes. Nohely is always willing to help other students with a positive and generous attitude. She’s always willing to participate in activities even when they involve out of class time. CHS is proud of Nohely and all the growth she has made both in and outside of the classroom.

SENIOR SPOTLIGHT

The Senior Spotlight this week features CHS Student Body President Todd Lani. Todd is an outstanding senior who has maintained excellent grades during his freshman, sophomore, junior and senior year. He has taken both Honors and Advanced Placement classes while maintaining a 4.6 weighted GPA and is currently enrolled in four AP classes. Todd is involved in National Honor Society, Link Crew and the CHS Student Council, and he has served as the sophomore and junior Class Treasurer. He has received his CHS Academic Letter all four years, CHS Student Council Varsity Letter for three years, has been a NASC Regional and State Workshop Presenter and has also been a part of the Nevada All-State Academic Team. Additionally, Todd has been a Junior Counselor for the Rotary Eighth Grade Leadership Camp, the NASC Mid-Level Conference, the NASC Western Regional Conference and the NASC State Conference Club for two years. Outside of school, he’s involved in the Sierra Nevada Ballet (2013-present) and the Western Nevada Performing Arts Center (2005-present). Todd plans to attend University of Utah for a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with an emphasis on Teaching. He also plans on working toward a Bachelor of Science in Business. Todd intends to pursue a professional dance career. With all of Todd’s leadership skills, there’s no doubt he’s going to succeed in achieving his future goals.

Phil Brady is an English teacher at CHS.