Submitted by Incline Education Fund, 2/3/2026

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.org and click the Donate Now button.

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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.

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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. 

“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.

Go Highlanders!!

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.

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.

READ MORE >

Photo: Incline Village Elementary Schoo’s LEGO Robotics Team competed at the Northern Nevada Championships on Dec. 13.Provided / Trina Kleinhenz

INCLINE HIGH SCHOOL

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 students worked 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.

Mary Danahey

Against schools more than three times their size—Incline Elementary School’s Makerspace students are making their mark in the world of robotics. 

Last month, the IES FIRST LEGO League team qualified for the Northern Nevada State Championship—a first in Incline Elementary’s school’s history and a moment these students will never forget.

Here’s what most people don’t realize: The entire Makerspace program is fully funded by the Incline Education Fund. Which means this opportunity exists only because of donors like you.

Inside the Makerspace, students don’t just learn STEM—they live it. They build robots, write code, test ideas, and solve problems that once felt completely out of reach. Many struggled with math. Some had never tried coding. But each week they step into a space where “I can’t” becomes “I did it.”A highly trained STEM teacher—funded by Incline Education Fund—guides them.

State-of-the-art robotics kits and tools—funded by donors like you—surround them. Suddenly, math makes sense. Engineering feels possible. Confidence grows.

Help us keep this innovative program alive. Your donation will: Keep expert STEM instruction in the Makerspace Provide robotics kits, coding software, and engineering materials Ensure every IES student—has access to high-quality STEM learningCreate life-changing opportunities rarely available in small, rural schools.

Without Incline Education Fund—and without YOUR support—the Makerspace wouldn’t exist. The spark that turned into a State Championship run might never have been lit.

DONATE HERE NOW Incline Education Fund

The Incline Education Fund is a 501c3 organization: 85-3759623948

Incline WayIncline Village, NV 89451

maryd@inclineeducationfund.org,sharons@inclineeducationfund.org 

We are proud to announce the publication of a short story by fifth-grade student, Maiia Christoffersen, marking a significant achievement that has transformed her into a budding literary role model for her peers!

Maiia’s journey began last year during a visit from author and illustrator Megan Ricciardi. Megan’s workshop focused on the art of puppetry, encouraging students to craft their own puppets and then write a short story inspired by their creation. The winning story would be selected for publication, and Maiia wrote and illustrated her book Mission: S.A.W.C. for consideration. The rest is history!

Our Librarian, Aly Nugent, says of Maiia’s story, “Mission: S.A.W.C. is a very creative story about what happens to the lost socks (or, as she refers to them, “lost soles”) in the dryer – a problem that all ages could relate to. Lost socks are transported to a magical land called Puppetville, where Maiia’s character, Rosie, comes to life as a sock puppet. Her story is well thought out, outlining the relationships between friends, and leaves room for imagination. Maiia purposely left pages mostly black and white for readers to color in the background, and she leaves room at the end for readers to write and illustrate their own Puppetville adventure for Rosie.”

Following the publication of her book, Maiia has wholeheartedly embraced the role of “visiting author.” She has been touring lower-grade classrooms, reading her story aloud, leading interactive Q&A sessions, and, most importantly, encouraging her younger schoolmates to dive into their own creative writing projects.

Her natural ability to connect with the younger students has made her a powerful advocate for literacy and self-expression within the school community.

“Students laughed along with Maiia as she engaged them not only with her story, but with Rosie, the sock puppet, that inspired her story. Maiia, the author, plays along with Rosie the character during her author visit,” added Ms. Aly. “Students were equally impressed and inspired, and already ready for a sequel!”

For more information about Megan Ricciardi’s Airy Fairy Library, visit airyfairylibrary.com.

Another example of how Incline Middle School is taking learning outside the classroom—and into the community—comes from this fall’s Library Exploratory.

Students were highly engaged as they learned about writing, editing, and public speaking through a creative adventure fiction project at the Incline Village Public Library. Each Wednesday, the library team provided all the materials and guided students through activities that strengthened their storytelling and presentation skills.

Beyond improving their writing, students discovered how much more the library offers—from free online resources and 3D printing to Teen Tuesday, Escape Rooms, and dedicated study and hangout spaces. Many left with a new appreciation for the library as a hub for creativity, technology, and lifelong learning.

Each student capped off the experience by reading their original stories aloud to a small audience—gaining confidence and poise as young authors and public speakers.

Incline Middle School and Incline Education Fund extend a special thank-you to the Incline Village Public Library team for creating such a dynamic, hands-on learning experience.    

📚 Support your public library—it’s more than just books!

The Incline Education Fund proudly funds the entire IMS Exploratory Program, making experiences like this possible for every student.

Incline Middle School students just wrapped up the first quarter of this year’s Exploratory Program—a signature initiative that turns learning into doing. Now in its third year, the program gives every student the chance to dive into real-world, hands-on experiences that build confidence, teamwork, and practical skills.

This fall’s lineup was as diverse as it was inspiring. Students explored Culinary Arts, Fiber Art, and Financial Literacy, hit the lanes in Bowling, and took to the pool for Swimming. Outdoor enthusiasts tackled Mountain Biking and Tennis, while construction-minded teams painted Bear Boxes and built Dog Houses—projects that blend engineering, design, and community service. Leadership and a class at the public library rounded out the offerings, helping students strengthen communication, organization, and collaboration skills.

A special thanks goes out to the many community members and local Rotary volunteers who shared their time and expertise to make these projects possible. Chuck Meyer (1), Chuck Meyer (2), Ginny Lewis, Ed Yarish, Greg Simvoulakis, Pam Sheldon, Lu Sweeney, and Valerie Kuchulis all rolled up their sleeves to mentor students in the Dog House build, teaching practical construction skills while reinforcing teamwork and problem-solving. Their involvement continues to show how much our community invests in its young people.

Look for the finished dog houses around town! The IMS class built four of them, which will be displayed throughout the village during November. In collaboration with the Pet Network, the houses are also being used to collect donations for Pet Shelter Awareness Month. In December, two of the houses will be donated to the Liberty Dogs program in Reno, and the other two will be raffled off to help fund future IMS Exploratory projects.