LAGUNA LINKS 1/26/17

BRAVO TO THE CAST & CREW OF PICNIC

Last weekend, Laguna Blanca School’s Theatre Arts Department proudly presented three performances of the Pulitzer Prize winning play Picnic, by William Inge. Theatre Director Dana Caldwell expresses her appreciation to the cast, crew, production team, and LBS community --

"Thank you for coming out to see our students shine on the Laguna Blanca stage, and to all who helped bring this show together! I could not have been more proud of our Owl thespians and their incredible performances and efforts behind the scenes. They knocked it out of the park!"

AIDAN O'DONNELL '18 IS LAGUNA BLANCA'S PHIL WOMBLE AWARD WINNER

By Barry Punzal, Noozhawk Sports Editor January 23, 2017

The qualities Aidan O’Donnell brings to athletics, academics, and student life at Laguna Blanca are what the Phil Womble Ethics in Sports Award represent.

Strong work ethic, toughness, positive attitude, leadership on and off the athletic field, leading by example, and not being afraid to step out of his comfort zone to help his team are attributes coaches, teachers, and peers get from O’Donnell.

O’Donnell was honored Monday at the Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table press luncheon as Laguna Blanca’s recipient of the Womble Award.

Click here to read more about this honor.

UPPER SCHOOL STUDENTS MEET WITH AUTHOR AT SANTA BARBARA LITERARY SOCIETY LUNCHEON

Words matter. That was the message nine Upper School students heard on Thursday, January 19, when they met with The New York Times bestselling author and former Newsweek magazine foreign correspondent Joshua Hammer as part of Laguna’s Annual Santa Barbara Literary Society field trip.

Upper School Students Carina Tedesco '18, Abby Corpuz '18, Jackson Hurley '18, Sully Israel '19, Caitlin Gainey '19, Athena Boyle '19, Stella Haffner '19, Jack Stein '19, Hayley Bankhead '19, and English Instructor Carol Nordgaarden spent an inspiring hour speaking privately with Hammer, asking him questions about his career and his book The Bad-Ass Librarians of Timbuktu. The book is a non-fiction account of the heroic efforts of Abdel Kader Haidara to keep over 300,000 precious ancient manuscripts out of the hands of jihadis in Mali, a small country in Northern Africa.

Click here to continue reading about this inspiring luncheon.

THE FOURTH ESTATE WINS TWO PRESTIGIOUS NATIONAL JOURNALISM AWARDS

Laguna's student magazine, The Fourth Estate, won two prestigious national journalism awards for its 2015-2016 publications, which are judged as a collection at the end of each year. The Fourth Estate received a Gold Medalist Certificate from Columbia Scholastic Press Association , where it earned 873 points out of a possible 1,000 points. It also received a First Class Award with one Mark of Distinction for Visuals and earned 410 points out of a possible 500 points from the National Scholastic Press Association . Congratulations to our student journalists for this national recognition!

THIRD GRADE CELEBRATES GREAT AMERICANS

Last week, Laguna parents enjoyed the third grade production of Great Americans of the Twentieth Century. Parents learned about Henry Ford, Martha Graham, Martin Luther King, Jr., The Wright Brothers, Ernest Hemingway, Babe Ruth, Babe Didrikson, and many more. Click here to view additional photos of the show.

GR. 7-12 WINTER SHOWCASE HIGHLIGHTS PERFORMING ARTS

Students in Grades 7-12 showcased their performing arts talents on Tuesday evening at the Winter Showcase. Head of Middle School Steve Chan shares, "Our Middle and Upper School performing arts classes highlighted the best of the best this week! Theatre classics met Gladys Knight and the Pips in Spaulding Auditorium! The Digital Video Production students presented beautiful examples of their work that were emotional, poignant, and suspenseful."

Special thanks to instructors Dana Caldwell, Dug Uyesaka, and Jillian Honorof for bringing the best out of our talented students.

GR. 8 ENGLISH SKYPES WITH AUTHOR STACEY LEE

Last week, Eighth Grade students in Mrs. Alldredge's English class were able to Skype with the wildly talented and successful author of Under a Painted Sky, Stacey Lee. Students just finished reading the novel and wrote essays on motifs included in this traditional Western that has a twist. In the book, two girls--one Chinese American and one African American--unite and must cross-dress on the Oregon Trail as they flee desperate situations. Take a look at the questions students asked the author--even regarding Martian colonization and their Mission to Mars pitches!

FIFTH GRADE ART NOW ON EXHIBIT

Come by the Emmons Arts Center now through the end of February to enjoy a variety paintings and prints created by Laguna's fifth grade students.

The art gallery is open during school hours Monday through Friday.

AT LEFT: Ally Jacobs '24, Dia de los Muertos Still Life, Acrylic Paint

HUNTER HAWKINS '19 ANNOUNCED AS TEEN STAR 2017 FINALIST

Teen Star , a local program that supports youth in the performing arts in Santa Barbara, just announced Hunter Hawkins '19 as one of ten finalists to compete in the 2017 Showcase at the Arlington Theatre on February 25. Not a stranger to the competition, this is Hawkins second run for the crown. Similar to last year, she will have the opportunity to participate in mentoring sessions, as well as showcase her talent before a live, supportive audience and celebrity judges from the music industry. Congratulations on this exciting accomplishment, Hunter!

IMAGINATION: A SHORT FILM BY TARA WOODARD '2 1

Click to view Imagination , a short film starring the cast of Le PeTiT CiRqUe, filmed and edited by Eighth Grade student Tara Woodard '21 for her video production class at Laguna. What a beautiful reminder of the power of imagination!

KELLY BICKETT'S HAT TRICK CARRIES LAGUNA BLANCA GIRLS SOCCER

By Barry Punzal, Noozhawk Sports Editor. Read original article here.

Kelly Bickett '18 scored a hat trick and Laguna Blanca didn't allow a shot on goal in beating Midland 3-0 in a Condor League girls soccer match on Wednesday. The teams battled to a draw in their first meeting, and the Midland goalkeeper and center back kept the game scoreless for the first 34 minutes. Bickett broke the stalemate when she knocked in a rebound of her own shot. Bickett added a second goal before halftime, finishing a through ball from Sophia Fay '18. The junior completed her hat trick early in the second half, receiving a centered ball from Pisci Abrego '20 and ripping a shot into the upper corner. "It was exactly the type of result we were looking for and I was very happy with not only the result, but also the style of play that we brought to the game," said coach Kevin Shertzer. The Owls play at Dunn next Wednesday.

Way to go, Girls Soccer!

LAGUNA BLANCA'S CHARLES DONELAN TO SPEAK AT NATIONAL CONVENTION

Laguna Blanca is pleased to announce that English Instructor Dr. Charles Donelan will speak at the 2017 Conference on College Composition and Communication (CCCC) Annual Convention. Donelan will present on Friday, March 17 during the session, "Finding Leverage Points to Cultivate More Engagement in Online Feedback and Revision." His presentation is titled, "Peer Review As Digital Writing: Expanding the Discursive Range of Online Comments."

Each year the CCCC Convention draws college faculty members from around the world. They gather to hear award-winning speakers, attend presentations by colleagues on the latest innovations in education, and network to gain knowledge of best practices in the field. The 2017 CCCC Convention will be held March 15–18, in Portland, OR. For more information about the Convention, visit http://www.ncte.org/cccc/conv/.

LAGUNA BLANCA STORY TIME FOR ART INSPIRATION 1 /28 FROM 10-11AM

BRING A FRIEND!

Celebrate the Chinese New Year at this free community event offering a morning of stories, art, and fun for children ages 3-8.

Story Time takes place at Laguna's Montecito campus on 260 San Ysidro Road this Saturday 1/28 from 10-11AM.

RSVPs appreciated; drop-ins welcomed! RSVP to [email protected]

We hope to see you there!

UPPER SCHOOL WINTER SEMI-FORMAL 1/28

$20 AT THE DOOR

US SPRING MUSICAL AUDITIONS 1/30

Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Open to Upper School Students in Grades 9-12 only

General Auditions: Monday, 1/30 from 3:00-5:00pm in Spaulding Aud.

If you are interested in a lead role, please prepare one-minute of ANY song to sing.
Acting Sides will be provided at the audition (monologue not needed).
Please see Mrs. Caldwell if you are interested in signing up for Crew!

Call Backs: Tuesday, 1/31 from 3:00-5:00pm in Spaulding Aud.
The call back list will be posted Tuesday morning. If you are called, you will be released as soon as we have had a chance to work with you.

Please see Mrs. Caldwell or Ms. Honorof with any questions!

Cast List Will be Posted Wednesday, 2/1

Rehearsals Begin 2/1 through Tech/Dress Rehearsal 4/26
Schedule TBD based on casting, but will be held after school in the afternoons and evenings.

Performance Dates: April 27-29

This musical contains mature content.

GR. 4 INVITED TO FLY UP TO FIFTH GRADE ON 2/2

SATURDAY 2/4 GEOMETRY SESSION

OF THE MIDDLE SCHOOL MATH CLUB

Saturday Sessions of the Middle School Math Club

Saturday, 2/4--Geometry

Saturday, 5/6--Number Theory

Classroom E402

10AM-12PM

It's never too late to join the Middle School Math Club (MSMC)! The goal is to share the joy of mathematics throughout the Middle School, while providing an opportunity for students in Grades 5-8 to experience problem solving situations outside of the math classroom. Participants will solve new mathematical problems and learn new problem solving methods, both individually and as part of a team. The problems will be based on grade appropriate math knowledge, yet may require higher order math problem solving skills.

All activities of the MSMC are free of charge. Saturday sessions will be conducted by Joel Poholsky, and lunch is included! Come give it a try!

To register your child today, please email Joel Poholsky .

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7

11:45AM-1PM

RUGG ROOM ON HOPE RANCH CAMPUS

FEATURING SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKERS:

MASHA KEATING
Laguna parent of Jacob ’25 and Nathaniel ’23

This year’s featured artist for the spring benefit, Masha will share the unique process she uses to create her mesmerizing, colorful pieces of art.

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KENDRA SABINO
Laguna parent of Isabella ’19 and Augustus ’21

AND

MATT STRUCKMEYER

Director of College Counseling

Come learn about Laguna’s long term vision for an Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability Program, kicked off by our two new campus gardens. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes for the Garden Tour!

All parents are welcomed and appreciated!
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As always, a delicious lunch will be provided.
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T wo tickets to the spring benefit will be raffled!

LS FAMILY SCIENCE DISCOVERY EVENT COMING 2/8

Please join us for the Laguna Blanca Lower School Family Science Discovery event on Wednesday, February 8 from 3:00 to 4:30PM. This event provides students 4 to 10 years old and their families with the opportunity to explore the uses of science in our local community through a variety of hands-on activities. Dive underwater with REEF’s touch tanks. Leave planet Earth for a few moments by venturing into outer space with the Santa Barbara Astronomical Unit. Learn what it’s like to be a veterinarian with Dr. Timm. With the help of all of these visitors, and a few more surprises, the event proves to be a fun-filled afternoon filled with explorations of the many marvels of science!

Please park off campus for this event; all spots will be taken by the community groups. Please use neighboring streets (Wyant and Sinaloa) for parking. Out of consideration for our neighbors, please do not park on Mimosa. The street is narrow, and cars cannot pass through easily.

Parents and students, if you are interested in helping at this event, please email Lower School Science Instructor Clara Svedlund.

To view photos from last year's event, click here.

PLEASE JOIN US AT THE ART & WINE PREVIEW PARTY

ART, WINE, HORS D'OEUVRES

Masha Keating has created a stunning piece of art for the Spring Benefit Live Auction. Come and see this donated piece, as well as the collaborative art projects that Masha created with the Lower School students.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8
6:00-8:00PM
At the new SBCAST
( Santa Barbara Center for Art, Science, and Technology )
513 GARDEN STREET

We will also collect wine for our wine auction that will be featured at the Spring Benefit.

For the wine enthusiasts, select a nice bottle from your cellar or get creative and bring a special bottle of Spanish wine.

Cellar Empty? You will have an opportunity at the event to make a purchase to go towards the wine auction.

For questions regarding this event, please contact Cynthia McClintock in the Development Office at 687.1752 x206.

SPRING BENEFIT COMMITTEE MEETINGS

PLEASE JOIN US AT 8:30AM

AT ANY OF THE FOLLOWING MEETINGS:

Wed 2/8 - Multi-Purpose Room, Gym
Wed 2/15 - LS Library
Wed 2/22 - Multi-Purpose Room, Gym
Wed 3/1 - LS Library
Wed 3/8 - FINAL Meeting - Multi-Purpose Room, Gym

Interested in volunteering, m aking a donation, or becoming an event sponsor? Please contact event co-chairs Belle and Bert Regeer or Assistant Director of Special Events and Constituent Relations Cynthia McClintock 687.2461 x206.