Senator Square: CHS orienteering students experience more than just amazing education

Editor’s note: Chris Berggren, a senior, is team captain of the CHS NJROTC Orienteering.

On Feb. 17, the Carson High School NJROTC Orienteering Team flew to Atlanta to compete in the National Orienteering Competition held at Red Top Mountain State Park in Cartersville, Ga. Orienteering is a timed individual sport and consists of using a compass and map to find specific locations called controls. Each competitor is given a map and compass to locate specific controls in order and in the shortest time possible. Competitors are not allowed to communicate with one another during the competition or use electronic devices such as a GPS unit. Course length varies from two to four miles, but competitors often cover more miles in their search for the controls. Competitions, held Feb. 18-19, included 36 schools and more than 500 competitors. Participants from CHS included cadets: Chris Berggren, Courtney Green, Kyle Ketten, Jared Meyer, and Briana Sanchez on the varsity team; Matt Gibson, Michael Johnson, Darian Montalvo, Chris Paluch, and Dean Poppenga on the junior varsity team; Tyler Alexander, Sarah Ashby, Jared Deselms, and Kyle Navarro on the intermediate freshman team. The CHS Orienteering Team did extremely well in that all team members completed all of their courses with no disqualifications and well under the maximum cutoff times. Some notable individual accomplishments include: Cadet Sara Ashby placed 7th the first day and 15th the second day. Her performance attributed to her earning 8th out of 23 females on the intermediate freshman course; Chris Berggren placed 34th on the first day of competitions and 9th place on the second day earning him 15th out of 110 orienteers on the varsity course; Cadet Jared Deselms took 29th place the first day and 11th the second day earning him 18th overall out of 68 male competitors on the intermediate freshman course. Noteworthy team accomplishments are as follows: The freshman intermediate team took 8th out of 36 teams. Orienteering is a running sport and the finishes of all other competitors were at often times, minutes, even seconds, apart from one another. CHS’ NJROTC Orienteering team has its sights on qualifying for nationals again next year. The current team members have already started training for next year’s national level competition. The team welcomes any incoming freshman, who love the outdoors, as well as running, to enroll in NJROTC, and participate on the orienteering team.

A MAGICAL MOMENT — FATHER DAUGHTER DANCE

On March 31 from 6 to 9 p.m., CHS, along with clubs SkillsUSA, Photo, Leadership, Culinary Arts, and Future Business Leaders of America, is hosting “The Father/Daughter Ball.” This is a community-wide fundraising event open to all ages ... yes, all ages, and it’s on a Friday. What better time for a father to create an unforgettable lifetime memory for himself and his daughter? Tickets are $40 per couple and an additional $10 for each additional daughter. Only cash or checks will be accepted. Tickets went on sale Feb. 27, and they may be purchased from 2 to 4 p.m. at CHS’ main office, or through the mail and will be kept at will-call until the night of the event. Send a check to CHS, Attention Angila Golik, P.O. Box 603, Carson City 89702. Professional photos will also be available for an additional $15 per sheet at the event. Princess Jasmine, Aladdin and the Genie will be at this event as well, along with light desserts being served, so let the excitement begin by attending. Please email agolik@carson.k12.nv.us with questions.

NEW COURSE OFFERED

Register for AP Art History, a new course being offered next year at CHS. Sharpen critical thinking skills, broaden understanding of the world, and learn to appreciate different cultures. Evaluate art within the context of the past. Potentially earn cultural appreciation course credit required by colleges and universities. There’s a $95 AP exam fee, and a 3.0 grade-point average is required to apply. See Mrs. Chandler in room 311 for details.

SENIOR PROJECT JUDGES NEEDED

All CHS seniors must complete the senior project. Each student chooses to research an area of interest, develops a product or project, compiles a portfolio, and gives a formal presentation to a panel of judges. CHS relies on community volunteers to make this a success, and senior project presentations this year will be held April 24. While not necessary, attending one of the three offered training sessions is happening in April. Volunteering and partnering with CHS is a much appreciated sacrifice, so please support the students and become a panel judge. Go online: carsonhigh.com and find the “Senior Project” link.

STUDENT OF THE WEEK

Adelina Pacheco is a pleasure to have here at CHS, and she was nominated by one of her teachers as this week’s Student of the Week. She’s a helpful and assertive young lady in all situations. She’s also an eager student, always excited to learn more and help others along the way. CHS is grateful to have Adelina Pacheco on board.

SENIOR SPOTLIGHT

This week’s Senior in the Spotlight shines on Matthew Hill. Matthew is an excellent student with a 4.41 overall grade-point average. He’s one of the students who’s taking advantage of the Jump Start program through Western Nevada College, and he will earn 30 college credits by the time he’s finished with his senior year. Matthew is also taking AP Spanish at CHS. In addition to being a strong student, Matthew is involved in the CHS community. He’s a member of the Carson High School Swim Team and has been since his freshman year; he also swims for the Carson Tigersharks. Matthew has even earned Junior Olympic qualifying times. Matthew also enjoys playing guitar and singing and biking in his free time. He has taken up a new hobby this year as he’s learning gymnastics for his senior project graduation requirement. He will be attending the University of Nevada, Reno in the fall. He plans to major in engineering with an emphasis in computer science. He would like to eventually create computer hardware and software. Congratulations, Matthew, and good luck.

Phil Brady is an English teacher at CHS.