Bidding on students' services begins Thursday

Up for auction during the seventh annual Senior Auction Thursday are some of Carson High School's top stars: valedictorians, culinary whizzes, artists, photographers, football players, runners, cheerleaders and, last but not least, the homecoming king and queen.

Adults wishing to acquire some of the students' services can place increasingly high bids until they are the top bidder.

"The students will do any type of small service," said senior and Leadership student Danielle Hollenbeck. "If they're in culinary, you can ask them to cook you a dinner. If they're a valedictorian, you can ask them to tutor. It's not supposed to be anything too extravagant. They're not supposed to paint a portrait of you."

The money raised from this year's auction will go to Relay for Life, a change from last year's beneficiary, the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

"We wanted to do something different this year," Hollenbeck said. "The high school students also sponsor a Relay for Life team each year. We figured this would be a good place to put the money."

The auction is open to the public and sponsored by Student Council Leadership. About $1,500 went to Make-A-Wish last year.

"Last year, we had a couple go for $200," Hollenbeck said. "They are usually auctioned off in pairs; that way, you get a balance of a boy and a girl. The normal (bid) is around $100. Sometimes it's $75 or even goes up to $250."

The auction brings good times for all involved. Students are known to make fun of themselves to bring levity to the seriousness of an auction.

"A lot of the seniors dress up," Hollenbeck said. "The homecoming king wore a dress last year, and the homecoming queen wore a tux. The salutatorian dressed up as a nerd, even though he's not really a nerd. It's fun to watch them dress up as their part."

Although the bidding requires money, the food served at the auction is free.

n Contact reporter Maggie O'Neill at moneill@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1219.

If you go

What: Seventh annual Senior Auction

When: 7 p.m. Thursday

Where: Senator Square at Carson High School, 1111 N. Saliman Road

Information: Call Cheryl Stoddard at the school at 283-1770

Benefits: Relay for Life.