CCHS seniors finding opportunities to serve community

Churchill County High School English IV students are on a mission – should they choose to accept it – to volunteer in the community for six hours by November. The assignment also counts toward accumulating the minimum eight service hours needed to complete the Nevada Promise scholarship application.

Monica Fairbanks, English instructor and senior class adviser, held the annual CCHS Community Service Fair on Aug. 29 to match the students with organizations who need their help.

“This is the only thing that separates you and makes you stand out on paper from all the other seniors graduating here,” Fairbanks told students. “When you're applying for scholarships you all have the same programs offered to you, the same degrees, the same activities, clubs and the rest. But what you do outside of the classroom stands out.”

She suggested ideas including Churchill Animal Protection Society, the Soroptimists’ Oct. 12 Quarter Auction and the Churchill County Museum. She also encouraged the students to find some way to keep track of their work to use on future applications and resumes.

Tammie Shemenski, executive director at Churchill Community Coalition, and Morgan Callihan, project program coordinator, invited the students to the 5K Color Run/Walk Sept. 28 beginning at Oats Park. Volunteers are needed to throw colorful chalk as the participants race by each checkpoint station. Shemenski said the Coalition’s mission is creating a healthy community.

For information call 775-423-7433 or fill out the contact form at https://www.churchill-coalition.com/.

Robyn Jordan, recreation supervisor at the Churchill County Parks and Recreation department, said that there are opportunities to volunteer throughout October. The No Hill Hundred bike ride Oct. 5 is a low-key event that begins at 7 a.m. from the 3C Complex. Students would be helping with aid stations, lunch and check-in.

The annual Scarecrow Factory Oct. 12 at Lattin Farms needs volunteers to assist children with making scarecrows.

A Fall Carnival will be held near Halloween in cooperation with the Aquatic Center. Volunteers are needed to help with haunted activities, scaring people, running the games and decorating.

Jordan also said there are plans for a Nov. 1 Christmas kickoff with children’s activities.

Information and the volunteer registration form can be found at churchillcountyrecreation.org or by emailing robyn.jordan@churchillcountynv.gov.

Star Olsen, representing the 104-year-old Fallon Theatre, talked about working in the concessions stand on Friday and Saturday nights during the free movies.

“People often like it so much they continue volunteering all year long,” Olsen said.

The theatre also needs help with birthday parties, live music and comedy events and decorating for an Oct. 5 and 6 immersive “Monsters, Inc.” experience, she said.

For information or to sign up, email thefallontheatre@gmail.com.

Senior Brianna Miller said she is interested in helping with the No Hill Hundred bike event or at the Fallon Theater.

“I’m a theatre kid. I want to know more of the history of the old theatre,” she said.

Jorden Mardis said he has previously enjoyed volunteering at the Fallon Theatre and he hadn’t decided between doing that again or trying something new with Parks and Recreation.

Several of the seniors said they had already completed their hours by volunteering at the Cantaloupe Festival and Country Fair in August.