With the change of seasons, there has been new growth at the Lyceum, as well. Our Interim Executive Director is Tom Nelson, whom some of you may remember was the coordinator for Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) for Monterey Peninsula Unified School District up until 2006. His main tasks will be in the area of program development and fundraising. Also new at the Lyceum is Joyce Breckenridge who has assumed the Program Director position. She will be coordinating academic events and managing the Lyceum’s day-to day operations.

50th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

Our 50^th Anniversary Celebration was held last November 12th at the New Masters Gallery in Carmel. The event was attended by over 100 guests including Mayor Dennis Donohue of Salinas (pictured, left); Monterey County Office of Education Superintendent, Nancy Kotowski; Monterey City Council Member and former Lyceum director, Libby Downey (pictured, right) and many former directors, teachers, and board members. Syndicated columnist Peter Funt spoke eloquently about the value of the Lyceum for his children. The event was catered by Paula Beckman Catering and the wines were provided by Rubbisow Wines of Napa Valley through Lyceum Alumnus Evan de la Torre.  Classical guitar music added to the ambiance compliments of Andre de la Torre. The New Masters Gallery venue was generously donated by Bill Hill.

 

ACADEMIC EVENTS

Mock Trial

Students from seven local high schools went toe-to-toe in the case of People v. Woodson the trial of Jesse Woodson. Woodson was charged with assault with a deadly weapon and with violating a new anti bullying and cyber bullying statute, a most timely topic, chosen by The Constitutional Rights Foundation. 

Carmel High School was the winner again this year under the leadership of teacher-coach Bill Schrier. The team is competing in the state finals in Riverside this week. Second place went to Pacific Grove High School. Other high schools participating were Everett Alvarez, Salinas, North Salinas, Palma and Monterey. 

Winner of the Lyceum sponsored Young Journalists Award was Morgan Brown of Pacific Grove. This program, Monterey County Young Journalists (MOCOYOJO), was established buy local syndicated columnist Peter Funt. The winning courtroom artist, from Monterey High, was Annalise Mariottini.

Lyceum of Monterey County Hosts the 27^th Annual Spelling Bee

E-x-c-r-u-c-i-a-t-i-n-g was but one of the many spelling hurdles jumped by the 52 finalists in the Lyceum of Monterey County’s Spelling Bee. The 27th anniversary of the event was held at San Benancio Middle School on February 26th. The auditorium was packed with parents, grand-parents and proud teachers who came to watch and support the 4th and 5th Grade participants from twenty-seven Monterey County elementary schools.

Placing first was Jason Hoech of Mission Park School in Salinas. Second place went to Joseph Johnson of All Saints Day School in Carmel Valley. Third and fourth place finishers were Ilhara Gray of Tularcitos Elementary in Carmel Valley and Aidan Van Der Bijl of Carmel River School.

To see more photos of the event, visit lyceum.org.

The winner and his teacher:

The top four finalists:

Monterey County History Day:

The Lyceum of Monterey County was proud to join the Monterey County Office of Education as coordinators of the 21st Annual Monterey County History Day. This year, elementary, middle and high school students entered the competition, creating projects based on the theme Debate and Diplomacy in History: Successes, Failures and Consequences. The History Day competition was held on Saturday, March 26 at All Saints Day School, 8060 Carmel Valley Road, Carmel, CA 93923. 

Twenty-five students were selected as County Winners, and they are headed for the State Finals competition that will be held in San Jose on April 28 - May 1, 2011.  Check out the winners at History Day!

National History Day is a year-long education program that engages students in the process of discovery and interpretation of historical topics. Students produce dramatic performances, imaginative exhibits, multi-media documentaries, research papers and websites based on research related to an annual theme. These projects are evaluated at local, state and national competitions.

During the competition, judges view the entries and interview students about their research. Judges, who are local professionals, select two or three county winners in each category to represent Monterey County. In addition, judges will select several recipients of special awards, sponsored by local individuals and businesses.

We would like to express our gratitude to AT&T Pebble Beach Charities for their generous sponsorship of this event.

Model United Nations

Our second annual Model U.N. for middle school students is coming up soon. The event is coordinated by MIIS Interns, Becky Bierman and Maggie Steingraeber. We have arranged for nationally known author and defense expert, Dr. John Arquilla of NPS, to be the keynote speaker and Dr Sunder Ramaswamy President of MIIS to speak at the closing session. Event will be held at Monterey Institute for International Studies in the Morse Building at 426 Van Buren Street on April 30 from 9:00-1:30. An international lunch will be provided.

LYCEUM CLASSES FOR SPRING

Please visit our classes available in both Monterey and Carmel Valley Village. They include subjects in arts, science, foreign language, humanities, and hands-on.

If you would like to teach a class for Lyceum, please contact us!

SPECIAL THANKS

The Lyceum has been awarded grants or donations from the following individuals or institutions since the first of the year: 

(Plato Level $2500-$20,000)

• The Harden Foundation: $20,000  

(Archimedes Level $2000-$2500)

• Yellow Brick Road
• Forbes Bastian Keaton

 (Homer Level $500-$1999)

• Monterey Peninsula Volunteer Services
• Dole Fresh Foods  
• Virginia Hines, Esq.

(Lyceum Friends: $10-$100)

• Jane Stile  
• Patti Waranimman
• Carol Covell
• Ron Finstermaker
• Sarah Bishop
• Jon Hagemayer

Thanks also to Julie Kenny Drezner of the Community Foundation of Monterey County, Laurel Lee Alexander of the Monterey Peninsula Foundation, Emily Hull Parsons of the Chapman Foundation and Jan Shepherd of the Nancy Buck Ransom Foundation for their advice and guidance for this year’s fund raising effort.

We would like to list your name in our next newsletter,

Please see our website lyceum.org for donations forms.

The Lyceum staff and Board of Directors thank you all for your generosity.