Governor dines at Dayton High School

Gov. Brian Sandoval dined Wednesday at Dayton High School with students, staff, district officials and community leaders.

"This is our chance to showcase what amazing students we have here at DHS," said principal Wayne Workman. "I think it's pretty amazing what we're able to offer being such a small school."

Students in David Palmer's culinary arts classes prepared the luncheon featuring an Italian menu of shrimp alfredo, chicken parmesan, crab-stuffed mushrooms, bruschetta, fried zucchini, bitter green salad and trifle for dessert.

"This food is so impressive," said guest Quest Lakes. "It's like a gourmet restaurant."

During the luncheon, Workman introduced some of the standouts from the class of 2011.

"We have an unbelievable graduating class," he said.

Valedictorian Erika Garcia is leaving in two weeks to try out for the Mexican national soccer team and will return in the fall to play soccer at Harvard University.

Kathie Arias, who will be competing in the state track and field competition this weekend, will go to Cornell University next year where she will continue to throw the shot put and discus.

Outgoing student body president Haley Johnson, who is spearheading the Nevada Youth Legislature bill and plans to major in political science at the University of Nevada, Reno, sat next to Sandoval during lunch.

"This is exactly what I'm going into," she said. "It's awesome to be around all the people in this field. It's really exciting."

Cooking for the governor was daunting initially for some of the culinary students.

"As first we felt a little nervous but then we got excited about seeing the governor," said Travis Scheiwiller, 16, a culinary III junior.

Karren Harmon, 18, a senior in culinary II, said they just had to rely on their training.

"It's absolutely just like any other day," she said. "He may be a very high profile figure but everybody deserves to be fed right, fed the best."

Sandoval also was given an overview of other career and technical programs offered throughout the district.

"I am so impressed with the students as well as the faculty and leadership in Lyon County," Sandoval said. "It makes me really proud to be the governor and have the opportunity to visit here."