SOAPBOX DERBY SUCCESS!
Yesterday, five team-made vehicles raced down a quarter-mile slope of Paloma Drive in a thrilling showcase of quirky engineering and bravery!

Bravo to all of the racers who thought outside the box and applied their knowledge in new and creative ways, and special thank you to Ms. Tuttle for orchestrating such an exciting event!

RACE RESULTS

First Place: WD-40
Rafa Amezaga '27, Jesus Arriaga '24, Dylan Comis '25, and Enzo Jacobsen '25

Second Place: Sibling Scoops
Sloan Brookshire '28 and Jeff Brookshire '29

Third Place: Team America 
Jordan Collins '29, Dual Miller '29, Riley Moore '29, and Joseph Plowman '29

Fourth Place: Tag and Jaden
Tag Turner '29 and Jaden Yanez '28

Fifth Place: Cardor
MS Teachers Jen Carney and Tiffany Fedor
 
SPECIAL AWARDS

MacGyver Award
Tag Turner and Jaden Yanez

Spirit Award
Team Cardor (Jen Carney and Tiffany Fedor)

"I am totally impressed by the creativity and innovation demonstrated by these teams," says event organizer and MS Science Teacher Jannine Tuttle. "Participants scrapped together parts headed for the trash and turned them into some really fast derby cars. It was a spectacular final race that thankfully ended with everyone safely crossing the finish!"
BE OUR GUEST AT LAGUNA'S PRODUCTION OF
BEAUTY & THE BEAST NEXT WEEKEND!
PERFORMANCE DATES
APRIL 21 (7PM)
APRIL 22 (2PM)
APRIL 23 (5PM)
Spaulding Theatre | Hope Ranch Campus

This “tale as old as time” tells the story of Belle, a bright and independent young woman taken prisoner by a beast in his castle. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved in return, and if Belle can see the true heart and soul of the beast within, the curse will end and he and the enchanted inhabitants of his castle will be transformed back into their former selves. But time is running out and he and his household could be doomed for all eternity.

$12 STUDENTS AND SENIORS / $15 GENERAL ADMISSION
UPPER SCHOOL STUDENTS WIN CSPA GOLD CIRCLE AWARDS
Congratulations to The Fourth Estate staff members Lucy Wang '24, Alexandra Siegel '23, and Abby Kim '23 on their recent Gold Awards from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association!

The CSPA announced the winners from its 40th Gold Circle Awards program, which attracted 4,224 entrants in print news and print magazine.

These entries come from publications produced by students at colleges, universities, and secondary schools in the United States and overseas who follow an American education plan.

Entries were accepted from student print newspapers and magazines published from June 11, 2021 through June 10, 2022.

WINNERS

Category: Art/illustration: Hand-drawn
Third Place: Lucy Wang, “Keys to Success"

Category: Design Portfolio of Work
Certificate of Merit: Alexandra Siegel and Lucy Wang

Category: Single Subject News or Feature Package, Single-Page Design
First Place: Abby Kim, “Fall Food Trends”
NINTH GRADE EMBARKS ON ETHNOGRAPHY WALK IN DOWNTOWN SANTA BARBARA
The Ninth Grade field trip to downtown Santa Barbara this week, timed to coincide with the Tuesday afternoon Farmers Market, marked the midpoint of the class’s Urban Studies Unit. Exploring the familiar landscape of the State Street corridor to the Funk Zone with a new perspective, this unit offers students an introduction to collaborative ethnography, which is observing people, cultures, and places, and interacting with people you don’t know—and then writing about it. 

As the State Street corridor to the Funk Zone is a prime location for observing the juxtaposition between old and new developments, students prepared for this walk by studying complex issues related to downtown Santa Barbara such as gentrification, homelessness, and the creation of the State Street Promenade. During the walk, students had the opportunity to be participant observers within a familiar landscape, to broaden their understanding of our local community, and to push outside their comfort zones by talking to strangers.
CHARLIE SHELDON TO COMPETE IN INTERNATIONAL BRIDGE BUILDING CONTEST
Charlie Sheldon '24 will move on to the International Bridge Building Contest in Chicago, Illinois at Illinois Institute of Technology on Saturday, April 29! He won the regional competition this week with his bridge that held an impressive 77.21 pounds and had a structural efficiency of 1400.87. Best of luck, Charlie!
KEEP UP WITH LAGUNA UPPER SCHOOL ON INSTAGRAM!
Do you want a peek into our Upper School program here at Laguna? Be sure to follow @LifeatLaguna, a student-run account that highlights the Upper School student experience!
PARTY BOARD TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE
Did you miss the Gala? Were you there but now wish you would have purchased a ticket to a party? You’re in luck! Select parties have spots available, and tickets can be purchased by clicking the button below.
Please reference the Family Association Resource Board in MyLaguna for important information about upcoming events and FA happenings.
YOU'RE INVITED TO NEXT TUESDAY'S FA LUNCH & LEARN
Join us for lunch and hear from some of our students in the Humanities and STEM programs as they share with us their focus fields and experience. We hope to see you there!
JOIN US FOR LAGUNA BOWL 2023!
Celebrate the Laguna community and meet incoming parents!

SATURDAY, MAY 6
4-6PM
Ruston Amphitheatre

Featuring the band Midlife Crisis with our very own Laguna Parent Gabe Dalporto on guitar!
 
Current parents, new parents, faculty, and staff are invited to this fun adult-only event! Live music, food, beer, wine, and margaritas will be available for purchase. We hope to see you there!
SEEKING HOST FAMILIES FOR NEW LAGUNA OWLS!
The Family Association is seeking Host Families for Grades EK-10 to welcome new Laguna families from spring through fall.

To learn more about the program, click here. Please complete this Host Family survey if you can host 1-2 families beginning in May.

For more information, please contact Host Family Coordinators Jessica Helson (Gr. EK-4), Sara Dodgin (Gr. 5-8), or Jane Weaver (Gr. 9-12).
PARENT DODGEBALL PARTY IS COMING UP!
There are still tickets available to join the Dodgeball festivities! The tournament will be followed by tacos and margaritas. Don't miss out on the fun!
MENTORSHIP SURVEY
Do you want to highlight your business within the Laguna community?

Are you interested in helping students with their college and career choices?

Would you like to help build the Laguna network?
 
In an effort to create a resource for faculty, staff, and parents to use for curriculum support, speakers, mentors, college counseling, and senior projects, we would love your input via this community survey. Using the information gathered, we will also create an LBS Business Listing Resource that will be available to our internal community. Please note that every survey question is optional. We appreciate your help
 
If you have questions, please email the Family Association.
LAGUNA BLANCA COMMUNITY DAY IS NEXT MONTH
SATURDAY, MAY 6
9-10:45AM
Foodbank Warehouse
4554 Hollister, Santa Barbara
 
There are 30 spots available for Laguna community members to join us at the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County. All volunteers under 18 must complete a waiver and bring it to the event.
LOWER SCHOOL GRANDFRIENDS' DAY IS TOMORROW!
FRIDAY, APRIL 14
9:30AM-12:30PM

We look forward to honoring Grandparents and Special Friends tomorrow!

Event Reminders:

School will start at the usual time for students at 8:15AM
Students are to dress in regular uniform clothing. A morning snack will be provided (including allergy-free).

Guest Arrival & Registration begins at 9:30AM
Valet Parking will be provided (No tip necessary; school guarantees tips).

Program begins at 10AM
Our guests and students will enjoy a morning that includes student performances, classroom visits, special projects, refreshments, and a photographer!

PLEASE NOTE EARLY DISMISSAL AT 12:30PM
There is no after-school care on this day.
LOOKING AHEAD AT THE LOWER SCHOOL
LS Grandfriends' Day
Friday, April 14

Professional Development Day
No School for Students
Monday, April 17

Grades 3-4-5 Track and Field Meet
Tuesday, April 18

LS Earth Day Festival
Dress Down Day: Earth Day Theme
Friday, April 21

Dream STEAM After School Program Begins (Grades 2-4)
Monday, May 1

Grade 2 Field Trip to MOXI Museum
Thursday, May 4

Grade 4 Battle of the Books
Thursday, May 11

Art Show and Spring Concert
Thursday, May 11
GRADES 3-5 CRANE TRACK AND FIELD MEET
TUESDAY, APRIL 18
10:30AM-1PM
CRANE COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL

Please note that transportation has been arranged in the morning to Crane, but parents will need to pick up their children directly from Crane at 1PM. Students will not return to the Montecito or Hope Ranch campuses.

Parents are invited to attend the following events: high jump, softball throw, hurdles, 4X100 relay, and more!
 
What to bring:
  • A water bottle to fill up throughout the day
  • A packed lunch 

What to wear:
  • Comfortable clothing for running and jumping. Preferably wear a Laguna T-shirt.
  • Athletic shoes
  • Sunscreen
  • Hat (optional)

Looking forward to this very active day of running, jumping, and throwing!
 
GO OWLS,
Coach Robitaille
ALEXANDRA SIEGEL '23 AWARDED SCHOLAR-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR FOR LAGUNA BLANCA
By Barry Punzal, Noozhawk Sports Editor

Laguna Blanca’s Alexandra Siegel '23 has the makings of a media foreign correspondent.

She is fluent in Japanese, is learning French, has a passion for journalism and serves as a Co-Editor-in-Chief of the school’s magazine and media company, The Fourth Estate.

Siegel was honored as Laguna Blanca’s Scholar-Athlete of the Year at Monday’s Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table Press Luncheon.

The senior carries a 4.57 GPA while carrying a class load that includes Advanced Placement courses in Calculus, Government, Environmental Sciences, and Literature, as well as Honors French and Advanced Journalism.
OWLS IN THE NEWS!
LOOKING AHEAD
IMPORTANT DATES FOR ALL DIVISIONS
LOWER SCHOOL

Friday, April 14
LS Grandfriends' Day

Early Dismissal at 12:30PM

Monday, April 17
Professional Development Day
No School for Students

Tuesday, April 18
FA Lunch and Learn

Grades 3/4 Track & Field Meet at Crane

Friday, April 21
LS Earth Day Festival
MIDDLE SCHOOL

Monday, April 17
Professional Development Day
No School for Students

Tuesday, April 18
FA Lunch and Learn

Grade 5 Track & Field Meet at Crane

Wednesday, April 19
President's Volunteer Service Award Form Due

Friday, April 21 - Sunday, April 23
Beauty and the Beast Spring Musical
UPPER SCHOOL

Monday, April 17
Professional Development Day
No School for Students

Tuesday, April 18
FA Lunch and Learn

Wednesday, April 19
President's Volunteer Service Award Form Due

Cum Laude Ceremony

Friday, April 21 - Sunday, April 23
Beauty and the Beast Spring Musical