CCHS seniors sign up to volunteer

Robyn Jordan, right, recreation supervisor for the Churchill County Parks & Recreation, talks to students about activities that need volunteers. Churchill County High School students in English IV are required to complete a six-hour volunteer service.

By Steve Ranson

Wednesday, September 14, 2022

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Churchill County High School seniors are learning more about their community by volunteering with a local nonprofit agency.

The annual Senior Community Service Fair held last week places the English IV students with an organization that not only needs assistance but also provides a tool for students to give back. Once they volunteer, students write an essay about their service.

Monica Fairbanks, whose senior English class participates in the annual fair, said students were anxious to participate. Students learned more about the available opportunities in the community and also talked with representatives who set up tables.

According to Fairbanks, the senior project has been conducted for 15 years. Although she’s the only English teacher requiring students to complete six hours of public service, Fairbanks said other classes are offering options.

Robyn Jordan, recreation supervisor with the Churchill County Parks and Recreation Department, said her agency has many events occurring within the next 45 days. She said help is needed for a bike race that’s crossing central Nevada from Lake Tahoe to Elko with a stop in Fallon.

“The No-Hill 100 bike race will also need students to check in riders on Oct. 1,” she said.

Other volunteer opportunities include helping out at the scarecrow factory on either Oct. 1 or Oct. 7 and at the end of the month with Halloween activities.

“We’ll be having a haunted jail, not a haunted house, at the old jail,” she said.

Jordan said volunteers are needed for acting, scaring the visitors and building the set.

“It’s going to be terrifying,” she joked.

During the year, Jordan said anyone who wants to volunteer may be able to help with the various fun runs and walks, the Fourth of July Parade and a basketball tournament held during the late winter.

Star Olsen and Jessica Huckaby are looking for volunteers to help with projects at the Fallon Theatre. Olson, who’s on the board of directors, said the community theater always needs students who are wanting to help.

“It’s nice to be able to give,” she said, adding the Fallon Theatre offers the community an inexpensive way to spend a Friday night.

Fallon Theatre recently celebrated its centennial, and Olsen said she enjoys the history.

“I really enjoy being a part of preserving the history in Fallon,” she said.

Huckaby said she needs students to help with a special event on Sept. 23 and 24 with the presentation of Hocus Pocus. She said Huck Salt is paying for the admission, but Huckaby needs volunteers to help put up the decorations and provide theme-like food.

Steve Ranson/LVN
Bus Scharmann explains to students about JustServe, an organization that meets needs with volunteers.

Bus Scharmann briefly talked to the seniors in the auditorium and then sat behind a table promoting JustServe, an organization that provides 66 events needing volunteers. The JustServe website links volunteers with the various opportunities afforded to them in their community. He said some seniors were looking for opportunities tailored to their needs and available time.

CCHS senior Mitch Sabanovich visited the different tables seeking additional information. He said it’s important to volunteer and spending six hours helping is good.

Marissa Rau agreed.

“It’s nice and helpful to volunteer for our community,” Rau said, adding she would like to volunteer at the theater. “I think it brings people together.”

Likewise, Makenna Blunt said students should volunteer.

Brisa Uglade said she plans to volunteer with CAPS, the Churchill Animal Protection Society.

“I would like to help care for the dogs and cats,” she said.

Allison Rousseau said she’s volunteering for the theater, but another choice is CAPS.

“Six hours, it’s a fair amount,” Rousseau said about the minimum requirement hours. “It could be more.”

CCHS seniors sign up to volunteer

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