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THE TRUE MEANING OF VALENTINE'S DAY

Love, kindness, compassion, understanding, courtesy, patience … all the Swooper Citizens character traits wrapped into one very special field trip. This week, students in kindergarten and first grade visited the retirement community of Valle Verde for a second time this year. Our goal for the field trip was for the students to continue to strengthen their bond with the residents through a small group read aloud. With Valentine’s Day quickly approaching, we decided to have the children each make a special valentine to give to each resident. The field trip preparations also included having the students practice reading Valentine’s Day themed books aloud during reading groups.

To read more, and to see photos from the visit, click here.

LAGUNA SOPHOMORE WINS SB POETRY OUT LOUD CONTEST

Sophomore Camila Lemere took FIRST PLACE at the SB County Poetry Out Loud Contest on Thursday evening.

Camila, who selected “The Legend” by Garrett Hongo for her recitation, now advances to represent Santa Barbara County at the state finals in Sacramento on February 28 and 29.

At the state level, one winner will be selected to represent California in the national competition. The California State winner receives a $200 cash prize and an all expense paid trip to Washington, D.C. to compete at the National Finals for college scholarship funds.

The National Finals in Washington D.C. will be May 2-4, 2016.

BEST WISHES, CAMILA!

SENIOR KYLAN TYNG DEBUTS HIS FILM FOR SBIFF 10-10-10 COMPETITION

Best wishes to Senior Kylan Tyng as he competes this weekend in the Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s 10-10-10 Student Screenwriting and Filmmaking Competition.

Kylan’s film, Lost & Found, is about a family dealing with the hardships at hand as their grandfather begins to show signs of dementia.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27 at 5:30 PM
BACARA RESORT & SPA

THE FAVOR OF YOUR REPLY IS REQUESTED BY FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12.
Many thanks to those who have already sent in their RSVP. If you haven’t already done so, please purchase your event tickets online and prepare to take off to Monte Carlo.

FACULTY & STAFF APPRECIATION RAFFLE
The Faculty & Staff Appreciation Raffle is a great way to show your support for those who have enhanced your child’s Laguna experience. You can purchase tickets in honor of faculty and staff members who have gone above and beyond, giving them more chances to win fabulous prizes including travel, dinners, wine, and more. Faculty/Staff Raffle Tickets are $25 each or five for $100. Click here to purchase raffle ticket(s) in their honor.

DONATION ITEMS FOR FACULTY & STAFF APPRECIATION RAFFLE
If you have a special item of any size to donate specifically for the Faculty & Staff Appreciation Raffle, please contact Donation Chair Erika Ronchietto and/or download our donation form no later than Wednesday, February 17.

SPRING BENEFIT INFO

LAGUNA FRESHMAN HUNTER HAWKINS IS A SB TEEN STAR FINALIST!

This year’s Santa Barbara Teen Star Finale will feature ten finalists, including Laguna’s own Hunter Hawkins ’19. Teen Star serves as an outlet for students in Santa Barbara to showcase their talents, providing lasting benefits for them and our entire community. Proceeds from the event benefit youth in performing arts in Santa Barbara County.

The Teen Star Finale is on February 27 at 7:00 PM at the Arlington Theatre. Students are encouraged to attend and support our star, Hunter!

Tickets are available for purchase here.

WHAT ARE KIDS REALLY WATCHING ON YOUTUBE?

Parents may worry about YouTube's age-inappropriate content, but mostly what kids love to watch is fine (if a little weird).

READ ON...

SIBLING PHOTOS NEEDED!

The students in Dr. Donelan's Global Literature seminar are working with professional fine art photographer, Barbara Parmet, on an exciting project involving the combination of text and images. They would appreciate it if parents would share some of their favorite photos of siblings being together.

Please send digital files to cdonelan@lagunablanca.org.

Thank you!

BOY'S BASKETBALL TAKES DOWN BESANT HILL WITH 17 3-POINTERS

Reprinted from Noozhawk.com

Laguna Blanca Boy's Basketball went on a 3-point shooting rampage, knocking down 17 from behind the arce in a 75-65 win over Besant Hill in a Condor League boys basketball game on Wednesday at Westpark Gym in Ventura.

The win gives the Owls second place in the league.

Sage Pickering '16 buried four 3-pointers to spur a second-half rally by Laguna Blanca. He finished with 16 points.

Pierce O'Donnell '16 (pictured left) scored 23 points to lead the Owls.

GIRL'S SOCCER WINS CONDOR LEAGUE TITLE!

Reprinted from Noozhawk.com

Kelly Bickett '18 is experienced at making big plays to help her team win big games. She made several during Laguna Blanca’s run to a CIF-SS division volleyball title and the CIF State Finals in the fall.

Now she’s doing it for the Owls’ girls’ soccer team.

In a match Wednesday against Dunn for the Condor League championship, Bickett converted a penalty kick in the first half and then put away the game-winning goal in the final five minutes, as Laguna Blanca prevailed, 2-1, for its second straight title.

CLICK TO VIEW PIX!

BOY'S SOCCER HEADS TO CIF PLAYOFFS

Despite a loss against Dunn in the Condor League Championship game, Boys’ Soccer will head to the CIF playoffs. Details to come.

Coach Boyoko told Noozhawk, “It was a very good game and I am proud of the effort the boys put in today. We will now regroup, wait for the CIF playoff draw on Monday, and get ready to take the next team in the first round."

CLICK TO VIEW PIX!

LS STORY TIME:

ART EXPLORATIONS!

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 20
260 SAN YSIDRO ROAD
9:00 AM

Children ages 3-8 and their parents are invited to dive into this fish-themed story time, which will include creating a colorful printmaking project.

RSVP to storytime@lagunablanca.org

LBS ALUMNUS ANDREW McCAFFERY ORGANIZES TELEVISED MOCK CONVENTION

Our alums never cease to amaze us. Andrew McCaffery ’12 has been elected the Permanent Chair for Washington and Lee’s 26th Mock Convention, to be aired on C-SPAN!

They’ve lined up many experienced speakers, including former Vice President Dick Cheney. Be sure to tune into the action February 11-13!

ENTREPRENEURIAL CLUB WELCOMES ANGEL MARTINEZ, CEO OF DECKERS

Angel Martinez, CEO, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors for Deckers Outdoor Corporation, was a special guest of Laguna Blanca's Entrepreneurship Club this month. Armon Ghodoussi ’16, Founder and President of the Entrepreneurship Club, invited Mr. Martinez to Laguna and acted as host of the 45-minute “fireside chat” during the recent Upper School Assembly. Henry Farrell ’17, VP of the Entrepreneurship Club, moderated the post fireside Q&A session.

"I am very pleased that Mr. Martinez accepted our school's invitation as this was a very powerful entrepreneurial experience that he was able to share with not only our club but the rest of the high school," says Armon. "I think his emphasis on an entrepreneur's True North was profound, as it highlighted the importance of never losing track of one's destination. He further noted that it is not solely the destination that matters but also the lessons you learn along the way." In fact, Martinez admitted he wouldn't change anything in his past, other than maybe some of his wardrobe choices. "They were all learning experiences."

Prior to leading Deckers Outdoor Corporation, which offers seven brands of footwear including Teva, UGG Australia, TSUBO, Ahnu, MOZO, Sanuk, and Hoka, Martinez gained recognition in the footwear industry as executive vice president and chief marketing officer of the Reebok brand portfolio. During his tenure at Reebok, Martinez was instrumental in launching the Reebok Human Rights Awards and served as executive producer of “Human Rights Now,” a global concert tour with Amnesty International to spread awareness of social injustices around the world.