High school auctions off seniors

Roger Williams paid $350 to have his daughter Nicole Williams and Matt Leck, who were voted most athletic at Carson High School, perform three hours of service for him.

"I thought they were well worth the money," Williams said. "I'm going to put them to work."

Williams was one of several members of the community to bid Monday on Carson High seniors at the second annual Senior Auction to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation at the Governor's mansion. The auctioneer was Pete Cerquitella.

Cheryl Stoddard, director of student activities, said the auction, which raised over $18,000, has a two-fold purpose.

"First and foremost, it's to make money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation," she said. "It also serves to bring students together in a non-academic atmosphere."

This is the sixth year that all Nevada high schools have worked to raise money for Make-A-Wish, a charity that grants wishes to terminally ill children.

Each year, a trophy is given to the school that raises the most money. Carson High School has won the trophy all five years, raising more than $42,000.

Stoddard said participants for the auction are chosen because of their accomplishments at the school.

"We pick high-profile seniors," she said. "We try to get a representative group that represents many facets of our school."

This year's 23 participants were selected because of athleticism, academics and artistic talents.

John Swain, dean of students at Carson High, said that people often ask him if it is a slave auction.

"No it's not," he said. "This is an auction of outstanding seniors who have accomplished a lot of things," he said.

Ryan Costella, voted most likely to succeed, said he agreed to participate because he supported the cause.

"It makes lots of money for Make-A-Wish Foundation and that's a good organization," he said. "It helps lots of suffering children who need some happiness in their lives."

Cheerleader Kara Stephenson said the sacrifice was worth the reward.

"We spend three hours of our day," she said. "That's nothing to help people out."

However, participants said they were willing to serve their three hours no matter the task.

"It's going to be really fun," said Mr. Carson High John Chirila. "We're going to clean toilets and stuff."

Seniors completed a self profile that was read as they were auctioned off.

Homecoming King Nick Reinhardt said his claim to fame was that he was the only student body president ever to be suspended from school.

Dawn Hadden, who was voted most likely to succeed, said her quote to live by is, "If better is a possibility, good is not enough."

Kali Richey, Carson High senior, organized the event as part of her leadership class.

"It wasn't that difficult," she said. "We were lucky that we got to book the Governor's Mansion. They were nice to let us use it."