In The News – Scientists gather at Lake Tahoe to protect the world’s largest trout
March 10, 2026 | Member Submitted
Originally published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 3/10/2026, Written by Maria Palma, KUNR Public Radio
Scientists from around the world gathered last week at the University of Nevada, Reno in Lake Tahoe to tackle a unique conservation challenge: how to protect the largest trout species on Earth.
At the Tahoe City Marina, scientists from around the world prepared to board a research boat on Lake Tahoe. It was a sunny afternoon, but on the water, the air was still cold.
The boat, named Liberty, is part of the research fleet used by scientists at UNR. It helps researchers collect data, study water clarity and monitor conditions in the lake. A second, larger research boat with space for up to 15 people is expected to arrive this September.
Incline High We the People Team Headed to Nationals
Incline High School’s We the People team are Nevada State Champions once again and headed to the National Finals in Washington, D.C. this April.
The students earned their place through months of preparation, teamwork, and academic excellence. Now the community has an opportunity to help support their journey.
Sending the team and coaches to Washington costs just over $100,000. The Incline Boosters have already stepped forward with significant support, helping launch the effort, but additional funds are needed to ensure every student who earned this opportunity can participate.
At Nationals, students present testimony in simulated congressional hearings before panels of constitutional scholars, judges, and civic leaders. Incline has proudly qualified 17 of the past 26 years, continuing a tradition of excellence in civic education. Community members who would like to learn more about the program and/or support the team’s trip can do soHERE. When donating, select “DC Bound”, or you can mail a check to:
Incline Education Fund
948 Incline Way
Incline Village, NV 89451 (Memo: WTP)
UPCOMING:
INCLINE MIDDLE SCHOOL
IMS had 14 wrestlers competing and took home 7 medals! Every wrestler was competitive and showed good sportsmanship on and off the mat. This was a proud day for Incline, IMS and IMS wrestling.
Each June and July, artists from across the country converge on the Holman Center for five-day workshops led by internationally recognized instructors. This annual tradition began over four decades ago and has grown into a cultural anchor for Incline Village and the Lake Tahoe region.
Participants work side-by-side with master artists. They explore new media, challenge their techniques and learn from one another while immersed in Tahoe’s natural brilliance.
Registration for the 2026 Tahoe Summer Arts Workshops is open. Register today!
The Holman Arts and Media Center invites artists of all skill levels to Lake Tahoe for its annual Tahoe Summer Arts Workshops. Attendees will spend five days in an intensive creative experience led by internationally recognized sculptors, painters, photographers and mixed-media artists.
Workshop participants will leave having expanded their creative skill set while in a stunning natural setting. Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada have long been sources of creative inspiration for artists of all mediums. The Holman Arts and Media Center is within walking distance from the shores of Lake Tahoe and situated amidst miles of hiking and walking trails in the Sierra Nevada.
In The News – Incline Middle School’s Exploratory Class at Pet Network; Community-involved learning for students
February 16, 2026 | Member Submitted
Originally published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 2/16/2026, Written by Victoria Mastrocola
Children gathered excitedly as they headed to the buses just outside of Incline Middle School. They seemed eager to start their weekly Exploratory classes as Principal Dan Lediard greeted his students with a fist bump. For a group of 6th and 7th graders, today’s destination: Pet Network Humane Society.
The Exploratory classes, originally dubbed “teacher passion projects” by Lediard’s predecessor, Carrie McDonald, were first introduced as a means to get students back into school after COVID-19.
Teamwork and Triumph: Incline High School We the People Team Claims State Championship
The Incline High School We the People team captured first place at the Nevada State Competition in Reno last weekend, earning the honor of representing Nevada at the National Competition in Washington, D.C. this April. Led by teacher Milton Hyams, the team impressed judges with its depth of constitutional knowledge, poise, and collaboration. “The teamwork of this group of students is among the best I have seen—supportive, driven, and they pick each other up,” Hyams shared.
The Incline Education Fund is leading the fundraising effort to help get the team to Washington, D.C. To support these outstanding students, visit https://www.inclineeducationfund.organd click the Donate Now button.
Incline Middle School Continues to Shine
The latest WCSD Student Climate Survey results place Incline Middle School well above district and middle school averages across every social-emotional learning indicator.
Students report strong gains in Student Voice, Bullying Prevention, and overall school climate—clear evidence of a school culture where students feel safe, respected, and supported.
This success is especially significant during the middle school years, a critical period for building confidence, resilience, and a sense of belonging. Research and experience consistently show that when students feel connected to their school community, they attend more regularly, engage more deeply in learning, and demonstrate stronger academic outcomes. By prioritizing student well-being alongside rigorous academics, IMS is laying the foundation for sustained success and a confident, well-prepared transition to high school.
Big Energy at Incline Elementary School
There’s a lot of excitement buzzing at Incline Elementary School, where students are learning, creating, and connecting in more ways than ever. The Rising Star Book Club is sparking curiosity through hands-on STEM activities offered not only after school through the Curiosity Club, but also during recess—turning free time into moments of discovery and problem-solving.
Adding to the momentum, IES is launching a new 4th/5th grade soccer team that will compete against other WCSD schools, giving students a chance to build teamwork, confidence, and school pride through athletics.
Families and community members are also invited to experience the creativity firsthand at H’art & Harmony on Wednesday, February 12, from 5:00–6:30 p.m. This special evening will feature an exhibition of student art and music, celebrating the many talents of IES students and the vibrant culture of the school.
IHS ‘We the People’ team is competing at the State Invitational THIS Saturday
January 28, 2026 | Mary Danahey
“We the People” is a nationally recognized academic civics program that challenges students to master the U.S. Constitution, American government, and civic responsibility. Through the Citizen and the Constitution curriculum, students engage in rigorous, inquiry-based learning that culminates in simulated congressional hearings, where teams defend their constitutional knowledge before panels of judges.
This year, the Incline High School We the People team delivered an outstanding performance at the mid-December Regional Competition, placing second overall against strong statewide competition. Unit 3 earned a unit award, while Unit 5 was recognized as Most Effective overall—an exceptional honor reflecting the team’s depth of knowledge, teamwork, and poise under pressure.
This impressive showing has earned the Incline team the opportunity to represent Nevada at the State Finals this weekend. Join us in cheering on these dedicated students as they showcase the academic excellence, civic leadership, and hard work that define Incline High School.
Incline Education Fund (IEF) has received a $26,500 grant from the Tahoe Community Foundation to support the continued expansion of its STEP Up for STEM initiative, strengthening STEM and STEAM education across Incline Village public schools. The award includes $25,000 from the Community Impact Fund and $1,500 through a donor-advised co-investment from the Gap Fund and The Bolinger Family Fund, supporting the fourth year of IEF’s five-year effort to build a vertically aligned K–12 STEM pathway.
Through STEP Up for STEM, all three Incline public schools—elementary, middle, and high school—have earned STEM School Designation from the Nevada Governor’s Office of Science, Innovation and Technology, making Incline Village the first fully aligned K–12 STEM pathway in Nevada. This grant funding will help sustain the Incline Elementary School Makerspace and art programming – laying the groundwork and skill development for STEM programs at the middle and high school level, like: robotics, engineering, environmental projects, middle school Exploratory courses, and high school College & Career programs that prepare students for future success.
This Tahoe Community Foundation grant allows IEF to sustain their STEP Up for STEM programs and ensures every Incline student has access to high-quality, hands-on STEM and STEAM learning.
In The News – Incline Village robotics team’s kindness, teamwork on display in road to regional championships
December 30, 2025 | Member Submitted
Originally published in The Tahoe Daily Tribune, 12/30/2025, Written by Katelyn Welsh
With striped ears and tails, the Tahoe Tigers were dressed to impress, but what really set them apart on the road to a regional competition was their kindness and teamwork.
“The way that they cared for each other and had fun together through all of the challenges,” teacher Trina Kleinhenz said, “played a huge role in their success this year.”
The Incline Elementary School’s LEGO Robotics Team, consisting of 10 4th and 5th graders, recently qualified for and competed in the Northern Nevada Championships on Dec. 13 at Mendive Middle School in Sparks, Nev. A competition on Nov. 22 qualified the team for the event.
Congratulations to Incline High School’s We the People Team!
Incline High School’s We the People team delivered an outstanding performance at last Saturday’s Regional Competition, earning 2nd place overall and securing a spot at the Nevada State Competition on January 31 at UNR. Competing in a highly talented field, all six IHS units impressed judges with their exceptional preparation, depth of constitutional knowledge, and professionalism.
Special recognition goes to Ryan Williams, Alicia Dominguez, and Alex Hillman, recipients of the Unit 3 Award, and to Jesus “Beto” Aguirre Gomez, Kristina Zhakov, and Sage Titus, who earned the Most Effective Unit honor overall.
Veteran teacher Milt Hyams shared, “We are incredibly proud of every student who represented Incline High School and elevated the level of competition.”
Well done to these students for representing Incline with excellence—we wish them the best at State!
Incline Elementary School’s First LEGO League Robotics Team qualified for the Northern Nevada State Championship. The theme of the competition last Saturday was “UNEARTHED, and while they didn’t win, the IES team earned top marks for innovation, teamwork, and engineering design.
Their teacher, Trina Kleinhenz noted thatthe studentsworked hard to prepare for the competition and “discovered how creativity and persistence can lead to big breakthroughs.”
INCLINE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
The IES Makerspace—fully funded by Incline Education Fund—offers weekly robotics and coding instruction for every elementary student. The robotics team extends this experience by giving students the opportunity to compete with by tackling a real engineering challenge, collaborate with teammates, and present their ideas with confidence. IES is demonstrating how high-quality STEM opportunities can transform student learning and open pathways rarely available in a small rural school.
