October 2022: Palapa Society News | |
2nd Annual Scholarship Drive:
New Matching Fund
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Thank you to everyone who has already contributed to our second annual scholarship drive.
We have received a special matching offer for anyone who donates to this special drive (up to $25,000 USD).
Please note if you have already donated your gift will be added to the match.
In addition we are extending the deadline to October 10, 2022, allowing you a little more time to take advantage of the special matching funds.
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Exercising Creative Minds
By Instructor Omar Aviles
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In one of our first projects this year, the high school students created their favorite characters using recycled materials such as soda bottles, styrofoam, and cardboard. In another creative unlocking exercise, students drew doodles as they listened to the rhythm of music, creating funny, whimsical, meaningless strokes that were then colored in to take shape. It is wonderful to see the imaginations of our students come to life.
If you have any art supplies or materials that you would like to contribute, please contact us at Secretary@PalapaSociety.org
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The Palapa School
Buckle up, school has already started!
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Monday, September 5th was high with emotions as teachers and students replaced the silence of the summer classrooms with the Palapa School fall opening.
There was learning, questions, raising the dust on the courts, and filling the school with fun and improvements. The reception was warm and students, with smiles from ear to ear, found their rooms for the year, were excited to meet new teachers, and happy to see their friends again.
The parents also soon took center stage with an informative parent meeting where programs, policies, and procedures were shared.
Students are certain to experience great moments this year from academics, to extracurricular, to personal interactions bringing them closer to their maximum potential. It won't always be easy, but surely exciting.
Fasten your seat belts; this is already started!
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Student Blog: Trip to Denver
Baja Under The Stars
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By F. Menendez
The Palapa Society recently allowed me a wonderful experience with a trip to Denver. The goal was to be a featured speaker at Baja Under the Stars.
While in Denver, we also visited the Museum of Science and Nature with four floors full of fascinating and interesting information.
What I liked the most was that at the top of the museum we were allowed to see towards the sun, of course with the necessary protection, which in this case was a telescope with a filter so as not to damage your eyesight.
In my opinion, it was incredible to be able to observe the largest star in our solar system, and it was great to see how small gas emissions came out.
I was also able to see the moon and all its craters. And the best thing is that it had a part dedicated only to space and all its mysteries. It was a great day!
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By S. Pertusso
Being able to go to Denver as a student speaker at the Baja Under the Stars fundraising event was an extraordinary opportunity.
I felt very proud of myself for earning it but also truly thankful to The Palapa for thinking of me.
I experienced and visited amazing places in Colorado like Red Rocks, two beautiful museums, parks, a concert and the beauty of Denver itself.
The day of the event was pretty stressful but really rewarding afterwards. Seeing all of what amazing people put together for our school is very impressive and feeling like I helped even a little bit made me even more happy.
One of the things we were able to do was go to the Museum of Nature and Science which was amazing.
It's huge and intimidating but really entertaining.
It's full of interactive activities which made the experience even better.
My two favorite parts out of so many incredible new things, were the fish story and being able to touch the oldest rock on earth!
I learned so many crazy facts about not only fish in this area but also about the beginning of living things.
In conclusion, it was awesome.
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Puente al Inglés (Niños) | |
by Jacki Gillespie, Director
We are excitedly preparing for our return to English Classes for children. Registration will begin on October 4 from 3-5pm for returning students, and on October 5, 4-6pm for new students.
We will return to class Monday, October 10. One-hour classes are held Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning at 3, 4, and 5 pm. Cost is $120 MXN per month. The cost includes all supplies.
We are still looking for Volunteers to help teach. If you or someone you know is interested, please contact me at puentealingles@palapasociety.org.
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Puente al Inglés (Adultos) | |
By Kate Lewis, Director
Our 3rd quarter session began with registration last week and will run through mid-December. We have four levels this term with a total of 43 students. In general, our biggest classes tend to be at the beginning level, and it’s very exciting to see many of our Level 1 students from the Spring quarter continuing their English studies and moving up to Level II.
Spring session will begin Tuesday, January 3rd, 2023, and will run through March 30th.
Class times are 9-10:30 a.m. or 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Cost per quarter is $500 MXN, which includes all materials.
We are always happy to have new volunteers. If you or anyone you know is interested, please contact me at adultenglish@palapasociety.org
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Biblioteca Elena Poniatowska | |
By Paty Baum, Director
Libraries in the 21st Century are not just about actual physical books. By necessity they have become places to access digital information, which can mean the ability to download ebooks, audio books, movies, magazines, academic papers and government documents. Unfortunately, due to the high costs of these services it only makes sense for libraries with 10,000 or more patrons to offer free access to digital content.
The Biblioteca Elena Poniatowska is still a print-only library; we are not able to provide digital materials, but that does not mean we have to limit what our members can access. Therefore, I am reintroducing audio books to the library starting with a few titles and expanding as we acquire more donations.
Audio books can be enjoyed while relaxing at home, driving to La Paz or Cabo, or on more extended road trips. I had Louise Penny’s, The Madness of Crowds to help me get from Portland to Baja Sur. I had to listen to it twice; even at fifteen hours it was not long enough to get me all the way to Todos Santos.
We invite the public to an Open House and Book Fair at the Biblioteca Elena Poniatowska and the Biblioteca Infantil, Saturday, October 15th at 12 - 2pm. We will have paperbacks, oversized, used art, design, cook and architecture books for sale, as well as some giveaways for children and young readers. The fair will inaugurate our new book drop and welcome new library members of all ages. Children and youth under 18, and students of all ages, get a free membership.
BEP hours M,W, F, 10:00 -1:00
will continue through summer.
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Baja Under the Stars 2022 Event Re-cap | |
On September 17, 2022,
The Palapa Society took Todos Santos to Denver for our second stateside event.
Over 100 guests attended and had the opportunity to meet a few of our Palapa School Students.
Fatima and Serena wooed the crowd by sharing their stories and experiences with our guests.
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The evening was a huge success. Our auctioneer Vic Lombardi helped us to raise over $144,000 USD and still counting.
Some guests selected to donate via their Donor Advised fund, so the total will be increasing over the next week or so.
Thank you to everyone who came to show your support of The Palapa Society.
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We couldn't achieve our mission without each and everyone of you! | |
César Sámano Heras recently contacted us about volunteering with The Palapa Society.
Though he lives and works full-time in Arizona, he’s passionate about education and helping Mexico, his country of birth. He was excited by the programs he read about on The Palapa Society website.
Growing up in a rural town south of Mexico City, César’s childhood was similar to the youth in Todos Santos.
His parents graduated from middle school and worked in agriculture. They understood the value and importance of an education. His father subscribed to magazines that could help expand the children’s imaginations about the world beyond their town. His father recruited his friend to teach César math, and he fondly remembers his lessons while working in the field.
With the help of scholarships, César attended university, earned his master's degree in Chemical Engineering at New York University, and worked at global companies in offices around the world. He has taught at University and been a volunteer teacher for tutors who were learning how to tutor high school students struggling to graduate. His sister and brothers also found success in their lives through education his sister is a teacher, his brother is a medical doctor, and the other brother became a chemical engineer like him.
César will start by helping The Palapa School Committee with a project - researching public universities in Baja and mainland Mexico, charting names, locations, areas of focus, tuition cost, process for enrollment, opportunities for scholarships, and more. From there, he will help The Palapa School develop the Path to University program for students and parents, which starts in middle school with studying, with dreaming, and with planning.
Are you looking for a way to grow some roots and make a positive difference in this community? Whether you prefer to work with children or adults, on a team or alone in the comfort of your home, part-time or just the day of an event, we have a role for you at The Palapa Society.
To learn more about Palapa volunteer opportunities including library assistant, classroom teacher or aide, committee member, event helper, and more, contact us at Secretary@PalapaSociety.org.
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In Memory of Bill ‘Memo’ David | |
Todos Santos is filled with generous souls who quietly support The Palapa Society in a variety of ways.
Bill ‘Memo’ David was a man of many talents - maker of bread, berry jams, and chili sauces; skilled woodworker and carpenter; good poker player (most of the time!), and above all, a great friend to many, including The Palapa Society.
Memo was not only a monthly contributor, but always a willing volunteer.
He could be counted on to help at the annual 5k Run and the Tianguis (Flea Market) fundraisers. He helped hang the white boards in the classrooms. He built the beautiful desk that provided a welcoming atmosphere for patrons of the Biblioteca Elena Poniatowska, where his wife Kathy Cate has volunteered as a librarian since it opened.
We are going to miss Memo’s willingness to lend a capable hand with a ready smile, easy laugh, and positive attitude.
Rest in peace Memo.
Your memory lives on in The Palapa Learning Center, and in the community it serves.
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The Palapa Society's Community Event Calendar | |
Biblioteca Elena Poniatowska
Open House, Book Fair
October 15, Noon-2pm
Gastrovino 2022
November 11, 12, a 13, 2022
Todos Santos, BCS
Todos Santos Open Studio Tour
February 3 -5, 2022
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Thank you to Robert Lawrence for donating tools for our toolkit and for offering to help fix and repair things around campus when needed. It takes a lot of work to keep The Palapa Learning Center in excellent shape, and we appreciate Robert donating his time, experience, and tools.
Thank you to Steve Jacobi for offering ​​to help our Art program with clay, equipment, materials, or any technical assistance for a unit on ceramics. We appreciate everyone who offers their talents to help Palapa students find their voice through creativity!
Thank you to Dave Thompson at Over the Edge, who gave The Palapa Society a discount on a bicycle tune-up. The bicycle was donated to a teacher who needed it for his commute to and from school.
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Baja Under The Stars Donors | |
Thank you to everyone who purchased tickets and donated to Baja Under the Stars 2022! Please note if your name is missing from the list and gave via a Donor Advised fund or by check we will note you in the October Newsletter. | |
Susan & Al Adams
AF Construction
Jim Anttonen
Lorri & Alan Avery
Jeanne Beaudry
Kristen & Jim Bender
Cheryl H. Benware
Marsha & Gary B. Blum
Briana & David Bosch
Gail & Scott Bosch
Michelle & Steve Bosch
Kimberly Boyd
Michael Brass
Rhonda Brown
Pam & Paul Bumann
Paul Bunn
Vickie Butler
Christie Cadwell
Margaretta & Brew Caesar
Christy & Campy Campton
Susan & Terry Casey
James Chiddix
Susan & Ken Churchill
Kim Colsman-Horner
Caron and Gordon Cromwell
Benjamin Cudd & Lynn Mcarthy
Daniel Cummings
Marla & Michael Cunningham
Greg & Carol Dobbs
Linda & Grayson Drexel
Peter & Peggy Eggers
Explora Baja
John Fielder
Barbara Frank & Ronni McCaffrey
Barb & Larry Fullerton
John Funk
Terry Galpin-Plattner
Allyson & Robert Gottsman
Peter Griffiths
Margot & Dick Hampleman
Betsy & John Hays
Heirbabuena
Cindy & David Higgins
Courtney Higgins & Nathan Dyke
Kearsley Higgins & Todd Vaziri
Kim & Dr. Ted Higgins
Marimar Higgins
Higgins Hopkins McLain & Roswell
Monica Hill
Max Horn
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Sheila & Stephen Jagenteufl
Eric Jensen
Bonnie & AJ Johnston
David A. Karoly
Dana Kirkland
Laura Kirsch
Dayna & James Klein
Nikki Kraslin
Lynn & Brian Kuske
Steven Lass
Meg & Michael Leonard
Fred & Martha Long
Jay Masaschi
Jackie & Donald McJunkin
Catherine McKenzie
Tom & Lisa McLagan
Jll & David McLain
Michael Mills
Patsy Morrow
Lynn & Dan Moyle
Eric Neste
Erick Ochoa
Breck Overall
Mark Piquette
Ann & Tom Rader
Rancho Corazon y Düm
Bryan & Janet Raydon
Raymond James Financial
Linda Rengel
Marilyn Rhodes
Michael Ricci
Dianne & Jim Robinson
Leslie & Gary Russell
Erin Sands
Christine Satterfield
Karen & Jon Sawyer
Sharon & William Schell
Michael Seguin
Jeff Smith
Staley Capital Advisers, Inc
Bill & Denise Steffenhagen
The Stewart Family Foundation
Julie Swaggart
Emily Szymski
Sommer Wall
Jill & John Wallen
Dr. Geoff & Gina Wickwire
Marsha & Jim Williams
Marjorie Wurster
Peter Van Veen
Angelica Velez Mendez
Ardis Young
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Second Annual Scholarship Drive | |
John Batson
David Brower
Andrew David
Deborah & Gerald Hilgenberg
Chip Houde
Christie Hurta
Claudia Kopkowski
Nancy & David Lacey
Albert & Pat Newman
Carin and Juan Ramirez
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Christa Assad & Kevin Wickham
Ruth & Marc Bjorklund
Dennis Canty
Linda Corbet
Jason & Tracy Durland
Sarah Givens
Ann Hazard
Anne Hebebrand
Cindy & David Higgins
Steve Jacobi
Maxine Jacobson
Tori Sepulveda & Oscar Rosales
Wendy Seskind
Jill Wyatt-Logan
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Our Family of Monthly Donors | |
Eleanor Andrews
Anonymous
Suzanne & Rick Arnold
Gail & Scott Bosch
Marjolein Brugman
Pam & Paul Bumann
Vickie Butler
Ryan Casey
Kathy Cate
Karin & Judd Cuenin
Julie & Michael Dandurand
Elizabeth Farner
Ken Ford
John & Sharon Foster
Kristen & Rick Friedman
Jane Gehring
Virginia Gollery
Lisa Goodman
Karen & Charley Haley
Jane Hall
Margot & Dick Hampleman
Cindy & David Higgins
Marimar Higgins
Lee & Anthony Irons
Marilyn Jacques
Bonnie & AJ Johnston
Janna Kinkade
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Wendie Kruthers
Lynn & Brian Kuske
Marshall Laird
Teresa Laird
Karen McDaniels
Connie & Andy Mical
Cheryl V. Myers
Nancy & Dennis Naigle
Cathy & Dr. William Nation
Sofia & Stephen Nicholas
Jay Masaschi
Diana Pandell & Chris Miller
Jill Mollenhauer & Robert Bland
Sharon Morris
Patricia O'Connell
Maria Olaisen & Mike Block
Deborah Parrish
Janet & Bryan Raydon
Kristin Rust
Tori Sepulveda & Oscar Rosales
Sydney & Greg Schweitzer
Nancy Simpson
Angelica Velez Mendez
Lisa Welsch & Doug Colton
Kathy Warnert
Robert Bruce Westbrook
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Monthly Gifts Help Make a Big Impact! |
Becoming a monthly donor helps stabilize our annual revenue needs.
How Far Can Your Gift Go?
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$50 USD per month = 1/4-year scholarship*
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$100 USD per month = 1/2-year scholarship*
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$200 USD per month = 1-year scholarship*
Please consider becoming a part of our family of monthly donors today.
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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.
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