Incline High Highlander Football Team heads to State Championship Game
November 19, 2024 | Mary Danahey
Submitted by Mary Danahey of Incline Education Fund, Written by Tim Kelly, 11/19/24
The Incline High football team is heading to their first state championship game since 1981. The Highlanders won an incredibly tough state semi final game last Saturday down in Needles, CA. Incline is the #2 seed in northern NV so they traveled to the border of NV, CA and AZ to play against the #1 seeded Needles Mustangs. They defeated the Mustangs 12-8 in a hard defensive battle. Senior Quarterback Tommy Williams ran for 2 touchdowns and the Highlander defense held Needles to one touchdown.
Now, Incline is trying to win their first State Title since 1973 on Saturday November 23 at 10am at McQueen High School. The Highlanders will play undefeated league rival Pershing County. Both Incline and Pershing County are both undefeated because they didn’t get to play each other this season due to the Davis Fire in September.
Incline High School Highlights: A Winning Fall Season
This has been an exciting fall for Incline High School (IHS), with outstanding achievements both in sports and the arts! Here’s a look at the recent successes from our talented students:
Football Team Heads to State Semifinals
Congratulations to our undefeated IHS football team, which is headed to the State Semifinals in Needles this Saturday! This impressive season has brought the community together to cheer on the Highlanders, and last week’s pregame tailgate and postgame celebration, generously hosted by Azzara’s, was a huge success. Let’s keep the momentum going and show our support as they push toward the championship!
Music Students Shine at Regional Level
Our music students are also hitting high notes this season. Marlon Martinez and Izzy Rotter recently performed with the Washoe County School District Honors Orchestra at the prestigious Pioneer Center in Reno, showcasing their hard work and talent.
A special shoutout goes to Willemina Dukes, who was selected for the highly competitive Drum Chair of the Reno Youth Jazz Orchestra. This position, one of the most challenging roles in the ensemble, is a testament to her dedication and skill. We’re so proud of Willemina and grateful to her music mentors, Doug Coomler and Nick Bentz, for their support and guidance. Willemina has cultivated quite the passion for music: she also plays the piano, guitar, ukulele, and viola.
ACT Prep Course – Sign Up Now!
For 10th, 11th, and 12th graders looking to boost their ACT scores, the IHS Boosters are offering an ACT prep course. Classes will be held at the Incline Village Public Library (on Alder), but students must sign up by THIS Thursday. The ACT will be hosted at IHS on February 25, 2025.
A Successful College Fair
Incline Education Fund (IEF) and Incline High School recently held an impressive College Fair, with 26 representatives from colleges and universities across the nation. The event drew over 300 attendees from around the Tahoe Basin. IHS students had the valuable opportunity to attend personalized presentations from admissions experts earlier in the day. They covered essential topics like selecting the right high school courses, understanding college affordability, and mastering the college admissions essay.
College Applications in Full Swing
With college application deadlines fast approaching, we wish our high school seniors the best of luck as they complete their applications. It’s an exciting time, and we’re all rooting for them to reach their post-secondary dreams!
Incline Middle School
HUGE shout-out to 3 of the new Exploratory classes being offered at IMS:
Ken Reese and John Johnson just finished teaching the inaugural Financial Literacy course at IMS. This incredibly successful class taught students the basics of financial literacy and how to choose investments in the stock market. At the end of the nine-week course, they realized paper profits in the amount of $2,519.02 – all of which were donated back to Incline Education Fund to fund future programs.
Baxter Gentry offered a Broadcast Journalism class and worked with the students to produce a 30 second PSA video for the WCSD “Phone Away for the Day” campaign and a video essay on the opioid crisis.
Mountain Hardware is also stepping up to offer an Exploratory later this school year. Bill Lassaline and his team will be teaching students all about plumbing, painting, electrical and proper tool usage for everyday tasks and repairs.
Incline Education Fund extends a huge thank you to Raley’s for their generous grant supporting the Incline Middle School Exploratory Culinary Program! With this funding, the program will be able to purchase a new oven and cover food costs for the weekly cooking classes.
Incline Elementary School
After a successful pilot last spring, Incline Education Fund is thrilled to announce that a dedicated art class is now officially part of the Incline Elementary School curriculum! This exciting addition will give students the opportunity to explore their creativity, learn new skills, and express themselves through various cross-curricular projects.
Save the Date! On Thursday, December 19th, get ready for the 3rd annual Incline Elementary School Holiday Parade! Students will soon begin preparing their unique “entries” for this fantastic indoor parade. Don’t miss it!
Stay tuned next week for an update on the roll-out of the AI pilot program at both IHS and IMS. This program was made possible by a grant recently awarded to the Incline Education Fund through the American Association of University Women (AAUW).
Thanks to a generous grant from the American Association of University Women (AAUW) Tahoe-Nevada, the Incline Education Fund (www.inclineeducationfund.org) has successfully completed its fundraising efforts to bring Skill Struck’s Chat for Schools AI platform to both Incline High School (IHS) and Incline Middle School (IMS). This community-supported initiative will launch a two-year pilot program that introduces an advanced, AI-driven learning tool designed to level the playing field for all students.
Developed by Skill Struck, Chat for Schools personalizes lesson plans and supports diverse learning styles, using a Socratic method of questioning to encourage critical thinking and deeper learning. The platform also provides real-time, personalized support in coding and computer science, enhancing student engagement while promoting independent problem-solving skills. Its multilingual capabilities are particularly beneficial for English Learners (EL), helping them keep pace with more advanced coursework despite language barriers. By integrating AI into the classroom, educators can offer more tailored learning experiences, ensuring every student can succeed in an increasingly digital world.
According to IHS Engineering teacher Adam Shoda, Chat for Schools is a valuable classroom tool. “The platform will allow me to give more one-on-one instruction to my students in the classroom, while challenging other students to think beyond immediate answers. This is NOT about replacing a teacher with a computer, but an opportunity for me to target in-person instruction. By using Chat for Schools’ response history, I will be able to uncover specific areas where a student may need more support or is eager to move ahead in their studies.”
While Incline Education Funds’ purchase of the Chat for Schools platform and training is limited to IHS and IMS, the program’s introduction creates broader opportunities for the Washoe County School District (WCSD). Thanks to IEF’s contract, all other WCSD schools will also be eligible to run their own limited AI pilot programs through Skill Struck.
A leader in the Incline School’s K12 STEM Pathway, the Incline Education Fund continues to bring innovative and technologically advanced academic opportunities to the Incline Schools and is part of IEF’s broader effort to become “Model” schools for the state.
“We extend our deepest gratitude to the Incline Education Fund for their diligent efforts in securing funding to support K-12 education in the Incline community. Their unwavering dedication ensures that Incline’s elementary, middle, and high school students have access to invaluable resources and opportunities, helping them thrive academically and beyond. Thank you for your commitment to our future generations.”
We’re thrilled to share some fantastic news with our Incline High School family and community—we’ve earned a 5-star rating, the highest possible, on the Nevada School Performance Framework! Last year was the first year the star ratings returned after COVID, and while we proudly held a 4-star status, we expect more of ourselves and our collective efforts. Thanks to the dedication of our students, staff, and families, we’ve climbed even higher!
Here are some of the incredible highlights that made this achievement possible:
Graduation Success:
Our graduation rate continues to impress! This year, 95.3% of our students graduated on time, up from 93% last year!
At a small school like Incline, even one student not graduating or moving without notifying us can significantly impact our graduation numbers. We are incredibly proud of our students for this achievement, and we expect every student to graduate!
English Language Learner (ELL) Success:
One of our most impressive achievements came from our English Language Learners (ELL). We saw a huge increase in students making the necessary progress to exit EL services within five years, jumping from 5.8% to 26.6%! This earned us all 10 possible points in this category, and we couldn’t be prouder of our dedicated students and teachers!
Special shout out to Ms. Shine, Ms. Porras, and Lourdes Avenier for their amazing work. It’s important to note that ALL teachers are EL teachers, supporting this success across the board.
We’re also grateful to our Booster friends for helping create community events that allowed us to better serve our Hispanic population. We expect these results to continue improving as we launch the HOPA program, matching Hispanic students with mentors to help guide them through the college process. Mentorship is key to ensuring students achieve their dreams!
College & Career Ready:
Post-Secondary Success: More students are preparing for the future, with 69.8% of our students completing advanced courses, earning dual credits, or finishing career programs. That’s a big jump from last year, earning us top marks!
We’re excited to see our Personalized Learning Academy continue to provide authentic real world opportunities, mentorship, and preparation to help students stand out to colleges and employers.
Science Proficiency Soars:
We saw a big improvement in science proficiency! Way to go, future scientists and innovators!
We are committed to helping every student succeed and continuing to grow, particularly in Math and ELA proficiency. With the addition of AP and UNR concurrent dual credit courses taught on campus by our own teachers at no cost, every student now has access to challenging, college-level coursework. This opportunity is available to any student who wishes to push themselves academically and prepare for their future!
This 5-star rating is a reflection of the incredible support and involvement from our entire Incline community. We couldn’t have done it without you!
Thank you for being part of this amazing journey—let’s keep reaching for the stars together!
Well, now that we’ve all had 2 weeks to accept that summer is over, it’s time to get back into the groove of the school year. There are lots of new and exciting things happening at each of our schools, so let’s start with the schedule of Back to School Nights: IES: Tuesday, Sept 10th 5:30pm
IMS: Thursday, Sept 12th 6:00pm
IHS: Tonight! Sept 4th 5:30pm
If you want to be “in the know” all year round, this is the time to join the parent group at each school you have a student at. The parent organizations provide vital support for our schools and are also the BEST way to both get involved and find out what’s going on and when. At Incline Elementary, it is the PTA, at Incline Middle, it’s the Jr. Boosters and at Incline High School it’s the Boosters. Check your school websites for contact information.
If you don’t have a current student in the schools, you can still volunteer! Incline Education Fund will be launching a “Volunteer Hub” very soon, so check back here for more information.
Here’s what’s new at each of the schools this year:
Incline Elementary School has welcomed Jeana Curtis as their new Principal. Ms. Curtis has been with WCSD since 2001 and has had leadership roles as both a principal and an area superintendent. She came out of retirement just to be here in Incline!
Incline Middle School continues to expand and refine the opportunities for students to “learn by doing” in the Wednesday Exploratory programs. This quarter’s new offerings include: financial literacy, broadcasting, mural painting, environmental science and tennis, but mountain biking, swimming, cooking, leadership and entrepreneurship are ongoing programs. Middle school sounds a lot more exciting than I remember it.
Incline High School is still on target to complete the new addition by the beginning of March, there are a few new additions to the staff (more details will be forthcoming), the first class of students enrolled in the Personalized Academy are already thriving, our athletic teams are all off to a fantastic start and IHS will host a HUGE College Fair on October 21st with close to 30 top-tier universities.
Star Follies Raises ~$70k for Incline Public Schools
The highly anticipated return of the Incline Star Follies made a spectacular return to Incline this past spring, captivating audiences with an unforgettable evening of talent and community spirit. Held at the Incline High School’s Duffield Theater, this year’s event marked a joyful reunion of performers, volunteers, and supporters, celebrating the resilience and creativity of the Incline Village community.
“We are thrilled to be back!,” said Katie Goldberg, one of the original Follies founders. “This event is not only a showcase of our community’s talent but also a testament to the hidden talent within our community. The commitment and hard work of the volunteer performers ensured that the Follies returned with a bang, rekindling the spirit of camaraderie and creativity in our town”.
The Follies also functions as a vital fundraising event for the Incline public schools. Thanks to a generous grant from the Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation, which covered production costs, the event successfully raised nearly $70,000. These funds will be directed towards supporting the diverse programs offered by the Incline Education Fund.
Set your calendars for next year’s event on May 2nd and 3rd 2025.
By all measures, the return of the Incline Star Follies lived up to the hype. Performing for close to sold-out crowds, the Follies cast put on quite the show and reminded us all what the Incline community is all about. Over 70 students, alumni, parents, school admins, business partners and local community members spent countless hours putting together an evening of fun and frivolity. They wowed the crowd with their dance moves, lip-syncing prowess and comedic talent (sometimes, newly-found skills!) and built friendships and connections in the process. Oh, and they had fun while raising a bunch of money for the schools.
As the school season starts to wind down, there is still a LOT going on for parents, community members and students alike. Accolades, events to attend and a couple of great volunteer opportunities. Read on and join in!
Congrats are in order! Yet ANOTHER award for Incline High School students!
Congratulations to Riley Hunt and Asher Edwards for taking 1st place at the Skills USA competition. They competed against 10 other schools in Additive Manufacturing and will go onto Nationals in Atlanta, Georgia in late June.
Cool things to do!
This Thursday, IHS is hosting a Feria de la Comunidad this Thursday from 5-7
See the flyer below for more details, but everyone is invited to IHS for this celebration of cultures, traditions, and talents within our community. The fair will feature a variety of activities and attractions for all ages, including:
– Delicious food
– Information and demonstrations highlighting what the community offers
– Engaging activities for children of all ages
– Opportunities to connect with local organizations and learn about their initiatives in fostering unity and diversity within our community
IMS Family Stem Night on May 21st. 5:30-7
Mark your calendars for a celebration of our Incline Schools becoming the First and Only STE(A)M pathway in the state of Nevada. There will be lots of activities, including a SALSA CONTEST, so prepare your tastebuds (not your dancing shoes) for the competition.
And here’s how you can Get Involved
Volunteers are needed for both the Science Expo and Mock interview/Career Day.
Details:
Science Expo May 23 and 24, 2024
UC Davis is seeking volunteers at the annual Science Expo on May 23 and 24 to help facilitate a science activity. The event will be held in the Incline High School gymnasium. Shifts are 2 – 4 hours. To volunteer, use the link below or contact Sarah via email at: (skharry@ucdavis.edu). For more information about the Science Expo, visit https://tahoe.ucdavis.edu/science-expo.
Callia Schnell, a UNR art and environmental science student, has been working with IMS art teacher Ginny Holmes to help IMS students create art from the trash collected as part of the trash to treasure program. Come by for a lite bite and see how creative our students can be.
INCLINE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
The next meet up of the Inclined 2 Read Community Book Club is happening at the Incline Public Library on May 7th from 5:30-6:30.
This is a great collaboration between Lake Tahoe School and Incline Elementary School to help build excitement for reading.
There is a Parent Preview TONIGHT at Incline Elementary School. This event is an opportunity for perspective K-1 families to tour the school and learn about all of the exciting things happening at IES. Come learn about the Makerspace, music and new art programs as well as the support and enrichment programs being offered. Families who can’t make it or who have questions about IES are encouraged to check out the flyer and call the school for an individual tour.
I’m hoping you have all see the other SnapShot announcement regarding the return of the Incline Star Follies! Back after a Covid-induced hiatus, the event promises to be a ton of fun. Come out and watch local students, educators and community members entertain us with their dancing and lip-syncing chops!
Sponsorships and Advertising spots in the Follies program are only available until April 15th., so show your community-support and join in the fun.
Tickets will be available next week! All proceeds benefit our local Incline public schools.
On-campus options include: Entrepreneurship, jewelry making, culinary, 3D printing
INCLINE HIGH SCHOOL
The Incline High School We The People team is headed off to Washington D.C. TODAY for the national competition. They will be up against 47 teams from across the country. They are still in need of funds to support the trip. Donations can be made at the “We The People” category in the drop-down menu at https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=ZTSAJMLWH9MU4
Junior Parent Night is tonight – from 5:30-7pm. Hosted by the IHS Counselors to help keep parents in the loop. Pertinent information regarding high school graduation requirements and preparation for post-secondary options will be discussed.
Mark your calendars for ROTC Awards night on April 24th. from 5:30-8pm.
Career Fair is coming up and Mock Interviewers are needed. Have a look at the flyers below and sign up to help support Incline Village & Crystal Bay local youth.
Congratulations to the recent IMS Spelling Bee winners:
8th gr: Aspen Reichert
7th gr: DJ Galloway
6th gr: Isabella Bascunan Fernandez
STEM EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD
Huge Congratulations to both IES Makerspace Teacher, Trina Kleinhenz for receiving the Northwest Nevada STEM Educator of the Year Award and to Incline Middle School for becoming a STEM Designated School !
We are very proud of their hard work and dedication in preparing ALL of our students for the rigor of Incline High School and are excited to have the first and only K12 STEM pathway in Nevada!
-Principal Tierney Cahill
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Articles this week were submitted by IHS Principal, Tierney Cahill
Incline High’s Lemelson-MIT InvenTeam Shines at Mid-Grant Review
In an impressive showcase of innovation and teamwork, Incline High School’s Lemelson-MIT InvenTeam, under the guidance of their standout teacher Mr. Shoda, recently held their Mid-Grant Review, drawing experts from various fields to offer feedback on their pioneering project. The event was a crucial milestone in their journey to EurekaFest at MIT this June, where they will present their invention, Snowsense.
Donning their light blue Lemelson-MIT polos, the team embodied unity and professionalism as they presented their work to date before breaking into groups to dive deeper into their data, design, and the challenges they face. This interactive session allowed experts to offer targeted advice and troubleshooting tips, a process mandated by MIT to ensure teams are on the right track. The oversight and participation of the professor overseeing the grant via Zoom underscored the importance of this review in the overall project timeline.
The InvenTeam’s project, Snowsense, aims to revolutionize how snow load on structures is measured and reported. By developing a device and accompanying smartphone app to alert property owners of potential snow overload in real time, the team is addressing a significant concern for regions prone to heavy snowfall.
The rigorous questioning by guests in attendance highlighted the depth of their research and the progress they’ve made in developing their invention. Feedback from the session was overwhelmingly positive, with experts contributing valuable insights, potential solutions, and considerations to further refine Snowsense.
The involvement of professionals, including engineers, architects, and patent lawyers, provided the team with a wealth of knowledge, helping them identify areas for improvement and refinement. This interaction was not only a testament to the team’s hard work but also an invaluable opportunity to learn from seasoned professionals.
As the Incline High InvenTeam heads into the final stretch before EurekaFest, the enthusiasm and commitment to their project are more palpable than ever. Their journey is a remarkable example of what young minds can achieve with the right guidance, support, and opportunity to innovate.
The Incline community eagerly awaits their presentation at EurekaFest, where they will stand as one of only eight schools nationwide selected for this prestigious opportunity to showcase their invention to a panel of MIT engineers. With the progress they’ve shown and the feedback incorporated, there’s little doubt that the Incline High InvenTeam will leave a lasting impression on the world of STEM.
Highlanders Impress at the Rotary International Club Talent Contest
The Incline Rotary Clubs provided a magnificent platform this Thursday for a display of exceptional talents, as our own Highlanders took the stage to compete in vocal, instrumental, and speech contests. Hosted with grace by both local Rotary International Clubs, the event saw an unprecedented number of participants, each bringing their unique flair and dedication to the fore.
The competition was stiff, with performances that spoke volumes of the hard work and passion invested by the students. Judges were met with the challenging task of determining winners amidst a sea of talent, particularly when it came to resolving ties in several categories.
Sequoia Denton emerged as the star of the vocal competition, enchanting everyone with her superior vocal performance. The instrumental category witnessed a tie, a testament to the exceptional skills of Keenan Artle and Abby Duckworth, who both stood out with their musical mastery.
In the speech competition, Lainey Lowden distinguished herself with a compelling speech about her transformative experience volunteering as a medical assistant in the Dominican Republic. Her poignant reflections and the impact of her journey resonated deeply, earning her the top spot.
The competition also highlighted the significant potential of upcoming talent, notably sophomore Jesus Aguirre Gomez, who, as one of three tying for second place, signaled his promise as a contender in next year’s competition.
Other remarkable performances deserving of mention include vocalist Isabelle Avenier, whose melodious voice captivated all; orator Emily Suarez-Moises, who demonstrated exceptional eloquence of kindness; drummer Willemina Dukes, who impressed with her rhythmic prowess; and vocalist Zane Richards, whose performance was both powerful and he totally rocked the house.
This event’s success is greatly attributed to the unwavering support and organization by Incline’s two Rotary International clubs, champions of fostering artistic and expressive skills among our youth. Their efforts in creating such a platform are invaluable, ensuring our students have the opportunity to excel, compete, and showcase their talents.
Reflecting on the evening’s array of talents, it’s evident that our Highlanders not only participated but truly impressed, setting a high bar for future competitions. Congratulations to all who took part and to the winners for making the Highlander community immensely proud. A special note of gratitude goes to Denise Menzies, Leslie Herrmann, and all of the Rotarians who attended and judged the event, their support and expertise are invaluable in nurturing our students’ growth and success.
