August 1, 2022
August 2022: Palapa Society News
Baja Under The Stars
Join us for Baja Under the Stars 2022 (Denver, CO)

We are excited to announce Vic Lombardi as the auctioneer for the upcoming Baja Under the Stars fundraising event. This gala will be held September 17, 2022, at the Denver Botanic Gardens to benefit the Palapa Society of Todos Santos.

Vic Lombari is a longtime Denver sportscaster and 30-time Emmy award winner for his work in local television. Born and raised in Denver, he graduated from the University of Notre Dame and now lives with his family in Golden, Colorado. 

If you are unable to attend the event, but would still like to donate to help us reach our goal of $200,000 USD, please click the button below.
Video The Palapa Society Overview
The Palapa School
Graduation Ceremony
On July 11, The Palapa School held its first graduation event with middle and high school students. This joint event was held at the Manuel Márquez de León Theater, an emblematic and historic venue in Todos Santos.
The gala was attended by students, parents, teachers, local authorities, and members of the Palapa Society members.

We want to extend a special thank you to the facilities offered by the Theater Board, The Palapa Society, and the Parents' Committee who collectively made this event possible. Finally, we congratulate the 20 middle school graduates and our first 10 high school graduates. We are sure bright and promising futures await everyone to achieve their dreams. Meanwhile, they have already taken another step along the way!
Graduation Ceremony video, The Palapa School 2022
Puente al Inglés (Niños)
by Jacki Gillespie

The Puente program is preparing for our next school year. We are hoping for increased class sizes to better serve the community. We continue to improve our curriculum and are using this summer to research and take classes to help us better serve our students.

We are seeking volunteers to help in the upcoming year. If you are interested, please contact us at puentealingles@palapasociety.org 

Have a great summer!
Puente al Inglés (Adultos)
The Adult English classes completed this quarter on Thursday, July 21.

Next quarter begins September 15, and we will conduct casual conversation classes for all levels over summer break. We thank the outstanding volunteers who taught this last year and the decades of teaching experience they brought with them. 

We are seeking volunteers to cover the September through December quarter.
If you are interested, please let us know by contacting Kate at adultenglish@palapasociety.org
Biblioteca Elena Poniatowska
by Paty Baum

The Biblioteca Elena Poniatowska is reaching out to the community to better serve the people of Todos Santos and Pescadero. As part of our mission to encourage lifelong learning, The Palapa Society offered a filmmaking workshop for High School-age to adults. The goal of the workshop was to conceptualize, write, and shoot a short film in 6 weeks using a do-it-yourself approach and a budget of $0. An equally important objective is to heighten awareness around personal safety of women of all ages in Baja California Sur.

In the workshop’s 5th week, the proposed 15 - 18 minute short film has established locations in Todos Santos.The subject matter is the life of Mexican human rights activist, Miriam Elizabeth Rodríguez Martínez. She became one of the many "Parents of Missing Children" after her daughter was kidnapped and murdered in Tamaulipas, Mexico. Beginning in 2014, armed with a gun, false identification cards and disguises, Senora Rodríguez became a one-woman squad of detectives who challenged a system in which criminal impunity usually prevails. Miriam was killed by armed men who entered her home on Mother’s Day, May 10, 2017. The short film, Miriam Rodríguez Martínez ¡PRESENTE! will honor her life and continue a dialog about the rights of all women to live safely and free of fear.

If you would like to join the filmmaking team, contact us at bep@palapasociety.org as there are still many opportunities to crew, act, offer a location, or become involved in other aspects of the production.

BEP hours M,W, F, 10:00 -1:00
will continue through summer.
Wanted: Palapa Society Executive Director
As part of its 5-year plan, The Palapa Board of Directors will begin its search for an Executive Director. This position will work with the new government to maintain our A.C. (Mexican Federal Non-profit) status and work to extend our fundraising beyond this local community.  

The Palapa’s Society’s Finance, Fund Development and Marketing, Grants, and School committees have made tremendous progress to drive the organization forward. This team includes long-time, dedicated volunteers. The Executive Director will work in concert with The Board of Directors and ensure the success of The Palapa Society's education programs for years to come. For more information, please email us at Secretary@palapasociety.org
The Palapa Society's Community Event Calendar
Baja Under the Stars  
The Denver Botanic Gardens
September 17, 2022


Gastrovino 2022
November 11, 12, and 13
Todos Santos, BCS

July Donors
Constance Moser
Sue White & Scott Moser
Breck Overall
Christie Cadwell
Peter Van Veen
Pam & Paul Bumann
James Ambrose (In Memory of Hal Butler)
Betsy H. Walters
Patricia & Erick Adams
Sally & Al Jones
Jene Buckner
Cecilia & Enrique Esparza Sanchez
Our Family of Monthly Donors
Anonymous
Eleanor Andrews
Rick & Suzanne Arnold
Jerry Back & Heather Bauer
Mike Block & Maria Olaisen
Gail & Scott Bosch
Marjolein Brugman
Paul & Pam Bumann
Vickie Butler
Ryan Casey
Liane Collins
Karin & Judd Cuenin
Julie & Michael Dandurand
Bill David & Kathy Cate
Liane Collins
Chirs & Bill Durboraw
Elizabeth Farner
Ken Ford
Sharon & John Foster
Kristen & Rick Friedman
Jane Gehring
Virginia Gollery
Lisa Goodman
Jane Hall
Karen & Charley Haley
Margot & Dick Hampleman
Ann Hazard
Georgia Jane Hicks
Cindy & David Higgins
Marimar Higgins
Lee & Anthony Irons
Marilyn Jacques
Bonnie & AJ Johnston
Janna Kinkade
Lynn & Brian Kuske
Marshall Laird
Teresa Laird
Jay Masaschi
Connie & Andy Mical
Chris Miller & Diana Pandell
Jill Mollenhauer & Robert Bland
Sharon Morris
Cheryl V. Myers
Nancy & Dennis Naigle
Cathy & Dr. William Nation
Sofia & Stephen Nicholas
Deborah Parrish
Paty Rains
Janet & Bryan Raydon
Kristin Rust
Sydney & Greg Schweitzer
Tori Sepulveda & Oscar Rosales
Nancy Simpson
William & Cathleen Small
Susan & Jim Smith
Jessica Spencer & Rob Dormour
Grace & Tim Tuttle
Angelica Velez Mendez
Kathy Warnert
Lisa Welsch & Doug Colton
Robert Bruce Westbrook
Monthly Gifts Help Make a Big Impact!
Becoming a monthly donor helps stabilize our annual revenue needs.

How Far Can Your Gift Go?

  • $50 USD per month = 1/4-year scholarship*
  • $100 USD per month = 1/2-year scholarship*
  • $200 USD per month = 1-year scholarship*

Please consider becoming a part of our family of monthly donors today.
MISSION
The Palapa Society of Todos Santos, A.C. exists to make a positive difference in people’s lives through inspirational quality education and timely support through community service and programs.

VISION
It is the vision of The Palapa Society of Todos Santos, A.C. to be a sustainable, accessible community focused organization in which quality educational programs empower choice filled lives and create positive transformational change.