Submitted by Incline Education Fund, Mary Danahey, 09/09/2025

As the 2025–26 school year kicks off, each of Incline Village’s public schools has exciting news to share.

Incline Elementary School
Incline Elementary is thrilled to welcome new principal Sarah Zabel. Principal Zabel brings a wealth of experience, a deep commitment to student learning, and a passion for building a positive school environment where every child feels supported and inspired. She believes strongly in the power of community and already has a number of family-friendly events in the works—so stay tuned for some fun opportunities to get involved.

Incline Middle School
The hallmark Exploratory Program is rolling out fresh offerings this quarter, giving students the chance to try new skills and experiences both in- and outside the classroom. Current options include: Culinary, Bowling, Financial Literacy, Construction, Textile Arts, Mountain Biking, Bear Box Beautification, Swimming, Tennis, Leadership, and Mentoring. These hands-on explorations not only spark curiosity but also build creativity, teamwork, and confidence.

Incline High School
At Incline High, Principal Cahill is celebrating a strong start to the year. The school has already hosted its Back to School Night and Club Fair, and Homecoming is just around the corner—don’t miss the football game on Friday, September 19, and the student dance on Saturday. In addition, IHS has launched an exciting new after-school Theater Program that will count for PE credits. This marks the return of drama to the high school, with a fall production already in the works.

From new leadership to fresh programs, Incline’s public schools are off to an inspiring start. Here’s to a year of learning, connection, and community spirit!

Lake Tahoe School is proud to host a special presentation by Kirsten Jones, a renowned Peak Performance Coach, motivational speaker, and author of the best-selling book, Raising Empowered Athletes. The event will take place on Tuesday, September 16, at the Bobcat Treehouse Library in Lake Tahoe School from 8:30 am to 10:00 am.

Kirsten Jones, a Hall of Fame NCAA Division I volleyball player and former NIKE executive, has dedicated her career to helping athletes, parents, and coaches navigate the complexities of youth sports. Her unique approach focuses on teaching athletes to get out of their heads and into their bodies, allowing them to perform at their highest level.

Having raised three Division I athletes herself, Jones intimately understands the challenges and triumphs of the youth sports journey. Her presentation will draw from her personal experiences and professional expertise, offering parents practical strategies for time management, building resilience, and fostering a positive, high-performance mindset in their children. Attendees will learn how to help their athletes manage pressure, amplify their strengths, and find joy in the athletic experience.

“We are thrilled to bring Kirsten to our community,” says Cynthia Keeler, Director of Development and Special Events at Lake Tahoe School. “Her insights on raising empowered athletes and navigating the pressures of competitive sports are invaluable. This is a must-attend event for any parent or coach who wants to make a lasting, positive impact on their young athletes’ lives.”

The presentation is free and open to the public, and attendees can register at https://www.laketahoeschool.org/ninja-forms/57niju.

About Kirsten Jones: Kirsten (Keer-stin) is a Hall of Fame NCAA Division I volleyball player, 15-year NIKE executive, motivational speaker, Peak Performance Coach, author of the best-selling book, Raising Empowered Athletes, and host of the award winning podcast, “Raising Athletes” (#5 on Feedspot in Youth Sports).

She works with athletes, parents, coaches and administrators, helping them identify their pain points, amplify their strengths and reach their individual and collective team and leadership goals.

Kirsten’s super power is getting people out of their heads in into their bodies, allowing them to feel their best and perform beyond what they believed possible.

Kirsten and her husband, Evan, have raised three athletes (ages, 24, 21 and 19). Two sons, who became DI basketball players and a daughter who played volleyball through high school. Kirsten understands the pressure, excitement and often times anguish that comes with roller coaster ride that is youth sports. Buckle up!

Contact:

Allie Sacci
Director of Marketing & Communications
allie.sacci@laketahoeschool.org
775-831-5828

Originally published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 08/21/2025, Written by Clare McArthur, Tahoe Magazine

Stephanie Hampton, an aquatic ecologist with a career spanning continents, recently stepped into her new role as Director of the U.C. Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center (TERC) this spring. Tahoe Magazine caught up with the scientist to discuss the center’s current research at Lake Tahoe and why tiny particles in the water can tell us big things about the future of our lakes.

What led you to Tahoe and your new position as Director at TERC? 

I’m a freshwater biologist and have spent my career studying life in lakes — from microscopic plankton and algae to aquatic insects, plants, and fish. Over the years, I began focusing on long-term datasets from large lakes, including Lake Washington in Seattle and Lake Baikal in Siberia. These lakes, like Tahoe, are ancient, nutrient-poor, and incredibly blue. Working with these datasets really shaped my interest in how lakes change over time and how we can learn from each other’s research globally.

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Photo: A TERC field team visits a NASA buoy on Lake Tahoe for data collection and maintenance. Photo / Keeler Nelsen

Originally Published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 08/14/2025, Written by Katelyn Welsh

What began as an art contest turned into a once in a lifetime opportunity for 10 young winners to climb aboard a piece of Tahoe’s history on Monday, Aug. 11.

Travel North Tahoe Nevada and the Thunderbird Lodge partnered to organize a competition for the Boys & Girls Club of North Lake Tahoe.

The prize—a highly coveted ride on the one-of-a-kind 1940 Thunderbird yacht.

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Our students are getting ready to run their hearts out for a great cause. Students seek pledges from family, friends, and local businesses, then run as many laps as they can in 30 minutes, all in the name of fun and fundraising.

Here’s something many don’t realize: the Washoe County School District does not fund PE at the elementary level. Thanks to decades of incredible community support, Incline Elementary has been able to keep a strong PE program alive for our kids. This year we are partnering with Incline Education Fund to make sure the STEM program is able to continue as well, but we can’t do it without you!

Local Businesses: We Need You!

We’re inviting local businesses to join us as sponsors or donors. Whether it’s a flat donation or an in-kind contribution (water, snacks, gift cards, etc.), your support directly benefits Incline students and helps ensure access to physical activity and hands-on learning opportunities. Interested in sponsoring or donating? Contact the Incline Elementary PTA at inclinePTA@gmail.com.

Thank you, Incline community, for always showing up for our kids. We couldn’t do it without you!

Originally published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 07/19/2025, Submittted

Scientists, policy leaders and conservation experts from five continents have advanced several major initiatives to protect migratory freshwater fish and their habitats following a high-level workshop held July 15-17 at the University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe.

The Migratory Fish and Global Swimways Workshop, hosted by the University’s Tahoe Institute for Global Sustainability with support from PlusFish Philanthropy, produced a series of concrete outcomes that will directly inform global conservation work leading up to the 2026 United Nations Convention on Migratory Species COP15 summit in Brazil. These outcomes include:

• Identification of freshwater fish species for potential Convention on Migratory Species listing
• Designation of globally significant migration corridors, including the Truckee River from Lake Tahoe to Pyramid Lake
• A commitment to contribute a chapter on freshwater fish to the UN Atlas of Animal Migration, a global initiative mapping the world’s most important migratory routes
• Plans for a Convention on Migratory Species report, peer-reviewed scientific publication, global species database, and outreach materials

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Photo provided by UNR

Originally published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 07/16/2025, Written by Katelyn Welsh

Incline Village General Improvement District’s Junior Lifeguard Camp returns every July to teach 9-14 year olds critical skills that could one day save their own or another’s life.

The multi-session camps cover lifesaving and life guarding procedures, as well as the opportunity to continue to develop swimming skills. Specifics include open water swimming, CPR and first aid. The program also teaches concepts of weather impacts, safe boating and drowning prevention. Students also have the opportunity to shadow lifeguards on the beach.

In addition to skills in the water, the program builds other vital life skills such as team building and leadership.

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Originally Published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 06/27/2025, Staff Report

Now in its second year, Trash to Treasure returned with a creative new twist: turning Incline Village’s bear boxes into vibrant canvases that celebrate art, environmental stewardship, and community spirit. Spearheaded by Incline Middle School teacher Ginny Holmes, local artist Alison Lee and in collaboration with the Incline Education Fund (IEF), the project aims to create public art that makes an impact.

This year, the initiative expanded to design a mural arts project, where students combined environmental research with creative expression to design murals on bear boxes throughout Incline Village. Collaborating closely with the Incline Village General Improvement District (IVGID), students included interpretive signage to accompany each mural to educate the public about local ecological issues and promote responsible recreation around Lake Tahoe. As part of the process, students presented their concepts to a panel of IVGID staff, gaining real-world experience in communication, design approval, and civic engagement.

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Photos provided by Incline Education Fund

Originally published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 06/12/2025, Submitted

Eighth graders at Incline Middle School (IMS) recently wrapped up a dynamic Financial Literacy course that gave students real-world tools for smart money management—and a head start on financial independence.

Offered as part of the school’s Exploratory program, this unique class is designed to go beyond the traditional classroom, engaging students in practical, hands-on learning. Students rotate through four nine-week sessions throughout the school year and focus on key financial concepts like earning, saving, investing, budgeting, and giving back.

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Sneak Peak of Summer LIVE.WORK.PLAY. Magazine feature, written by Mary Danahey – Timely Article

A little more than two years after its acquisition, the University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe continues the legacy of Sierra Nevada University – a stunning campus offering educational and community partnerships. 

“We’re using this beautiful campus in ways that benefit not just students, but the local community and the global environment,” said Jeff Thompson, the University’s executive vice president and provost.

Here are a few of the new, engaging projects and programs on the campus this summer. 

A Voice for the Region

This spring, KUNR, Northern Nevada’s NPR affiliate station and partner of the Reynolds School of Journalism, opened a broadcast studio on campus. “Incline can be seen as a news desert,” said Dr. Gi Yun, dean of the Reynolds School. “We want to help fill that void.” 

KUNR will provide more consistent coverage of the North Shore. It will also support student journalism opportunities. 

“KUNR is committed to covering the Northern Nevada and Eastern Sierra region,” said Brian Duggan, general manager of KUNR. “Incline Village and the broader Lake Tahoe community is a critical part of that coverage area.” 

Monster Fish Comes to Tahoe

Giant catfish and sawfish, and a Payara with saber-like fangs—these are a few of the freshwater creatures featured in Monster Fish: In Search of the Last River Giants, a new exhibition on the ground floor of the Tahoe Environmental Research Center.

With four massive fish models—including a 14-foot Amazonian arapaima, the exhibition engages visitors of all ages and is a launchpad for science and community engagement.

“This is a perfect complement to the University’s growing presence and impact at Lake Tahoe,” said Dr. Doug Boyle, interim vice provost and dean at the University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe. “Through Monster Fish, we are creating a vibrant hub that connects the public with our research and educational mission, from local waters to global conservation.”

Co-created by National Geographic and biology professor Dr. Zeb Hogan, the exhibition is part of the University’s freshwater science and outreach efforts. 

Admission to Monster Fish is free; all are welcome. 

A New Showcase of Tahoe’s History

Another exciting development is the new galleries by Foundation Professor of Art Peter Goin. Slated to open fully in the Prim Library building this fall, Goin’s immersive multimedia experience will include large prints from his recent book, Stopping Time:A Rephotographic Survey of Lake Tahoe.

Visitors are invited to explore and reflect on the Tahoe Basin’s history and how our perceptions of the landscape have changed over time. 

Strengthening Community Connections

This summer, more than 60 organizations will host events, retreats and conferences on the Lake Tahoe campus, including the annual Lake Tahoe Summit luncheon, a key gathering for local and federal leaders focused on sustainability.

“Lake Tahoe is one of the world’s most precious places,” Provost Thompson said. “We are strongly committed to protecting its environmental, cultural and community assets—and delivering on our promise to be a good neighbor.”

Visit unr.edu/lake-tahoe for more information on upcoming events, programming, and other campus news.