June 2022

Dear Friends of Liga MAC

Charitable donations come in all shapes and sizes. Some donors are moved on a spur of the moment basis to contribute. Others see giving as an ongoing, intrinsic part of their lives. Our profile this month is of a couple who epitomize the latter category. 

After negotiating their way through two years of pandemic learning, our graduating class prepares for their final month of high school and life beyond high school. We will also report on the progress being made on this year’s application process for the intake of Liga MAC supported students. And as promised, we will report on our exciting new “Learning Centre” project. 

Dr. Deneb Poli is away on holidays this month but will resume her regular “Doctor’s Corner” segment next month.

Dick and Linda Myers recognized a good thing, when on a visit to San Jose del Cabo in 2000, they purchased a membership at Querencia and a home in the same week! They also were quick to assess the local charitable scene and decide that helping students achieve their academic dreams fit their giving ideals. 

Combining their love of golf with a fun and sustaining way to support Liga MAC made a perfect ongoing combination. Thus the Knick Nac Golf Tournament was born! However, when the Myers used to bring up the subject of the Knick Nac Tournament the question most often asked was: “What is it?” Since 2009, the couple have been responsible for organizing and running the annual golf tournament held at Querencia Golf Course. Nowadays, local golfers jump at the chance to be involved in the charity tournament.  

The origins of the “Knick Nac” go back to a sad moment in time when plus-four or “knicker” sporting pro golfer Payne Stewart was killed in a bizarre plane crash. To honour his memory, an organization was formed to host annual charity tournaments across the US. Dick and Linda heard about the organization and decided to start a Mexican chapter of the Knick Nac Tournament with the aim of raising funds for local charities. 

The organization was disbanded in the US but thanks to the Myers, has gained momentum in Los Cabos. Both avid golfers, Dick and Linda, started small in 2009 by encouraging other Querencia members to participate in their tournament. In 2018, the field was opened up to golfers outside the Querencia private golf course membership and its popularity skyrocketed.  

The total of 12 tournaments the Myers have sponsored together with Querencia Private Golf Club and Beach Club, have benefitted Liga MAC to the tune of $76,473 USD! The 2022 event will be renamed the “Knickers Tournament” and will be held on November 17, 2022 at Querencia. 

Although not mandatory, the wearing of knickers or short golf pants is encouraged and adds to the fun flavour of the event. 

Administrators, teachers, and students are still reeling from the after-effects of the COVID lockdown. Teachers have been attempting to help students with curriculum catch-up while administrators attend briefings from state and federal authorities regarding the official end of classes. As it stands now, most schools will end classes on July 15 and start the new school year on August 29. COVID is still in evidence in the classroom but students are sent home to recover and isolate while classes continue at school.

Students hoping to enter Grade 10 at the start of the new school year, wrote their online admission tests on May 28. Results will be available in mid June. 

Those wishing to continue post secondary instruction at ITES (technical university) will be writing their admission exams on June 24. In-person high school graduation ceremonies are scheduled for late June and July. 

ITES university held its ceremony on May 30 for students who finished their studies in December, 2021 with Liga MAC graduating 2 students.

Of Liga MAC’s 36 Grade 12 students, 35 will be graduating at the end of June. One student will be repeating one failed class before moving on to graduation. Of our 35 graduates, 8 have been accepted for full university scholarship by Building Baja’s Future. The Green Scholarship program, another fully funded university scholarship program, has not announced their acceptance list yet but are only accepting 12 positions this year. Liga MAC will be accepting 8 students into our university funding program.

The Liga MAC Learning Centre

The dramatic start to our Capital Campaign has not lost its momentum. The now fully funded project, has moved through the conceptual drawing stage to the schematic design phase. In the one month since our architect received the concept drawings from the Querencia Design team, the drawings have been reviewed in detail with specific recommendations made by staff and the Building Committee. After the final review and approval by the Committee this week, the drawings will be expanded to include technical drawings and specs before applying for building permits and quotes.

Putting benevolent thoughts into action can make a world of difference to any charity. It takes many layers of involvement and commitment to realize an organization’s goals - from volunteers running fundraising activities to staff organizing programs and tracking participants’ progress. 

At Liga MAC we value the fact that individuals conduct due diligence and make the choice to become involved. Whether your level of commitment is on an “as able basis” or an ongoing basis, the fact that you have made the choice to bless Liga MAC with your involvement is something we honour and cherish! 

Please consider becoming involved as a volunteer, committee member, Board member, donor or, like our wonderful friends, the Myers, sustaining donors.

With thanks,

Maria Lindenberg, President

Liga MAC Board of Directors

WWW.LIGAMAC.ORG