Originally Published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 10/15/2025, Written by Katelyn Welsh

Tahoe Crew, an up-and-coming youth rowing team, is off to a promising season following its first two races this fall.

Based out of Incline Village, the team is fresh off the Head of Port Regatta, a competition in Sacramento, which took place Sunday, Oct. 5. The team brought home six gold medals in the following categories.

• Boys U19 Single – Sebren Key (Galena)
• Boys U17 Single – Alex Tippett (North Tahoe)
• Boys U16 Single – Kai Copeland (Carson)
• Boys U17 Double – Tippett and Kole Buckley (Galena)
• Boys Novice Double – Copeland and Brecken Key(Galena)
• Girls Novice Double – Katie Illg (Sage Ridge) and Kennedy Kelly (North Tahoe)

In addition to those six golds, U19 racer, Sebren Key, claimed a trophy awarded to the fastest single boat of the entire regatta, regardless of sex or age. The perpetual trophy will remain with Key until next year’s race. It has over two decades worth of names engraved on the side since its origination in 1999. Key, however, is one of just a few youth names to claim it.

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Photos provided to Tribune

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Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino, a spacious resort nestled in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, announces the return of its Haunted Carnival for Halloween 2025. This family-friendly event promises a night of fun while raising funds for the Incline Education Fund’s “Step Up for STEM” program.

“We are so excited to welcome our local community and resort guests to the Haunted Carnival this Halloween,” said Andrew De Lapp, resort manager at Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino. “Guests of all ages can enjoy carnival games, crafts, tasty treats, and Halloween-themed activities, all while supporting a fantastic local organization.”

The Haunted Carnival will take place on Friday, October 31, between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. in the resort’s Regency Ballroom. The price of entry is a $10 donation and includes five carnival tickets that can be used for games and activities. Additional tickets will be available for $1 each. Validation will be provided for the resort’s self-parking lot.

Guests can enjoy a variety of family-friendly activities including a bouncy house, photo booth, as well as classic carnival treats such as popcorn and cotton candy. Additionally, the event will host a scary haunted house designed for older children and adults.

All proceeds from the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe’s Haunted Carnival will be donated to Incline Education Fund’s “Step Up for STEM” program. Through community support and recently-awarded grants, the program has funded the launch of the makerspace program at Incline Elementary School, a robotics program at Incline Middle School, and an engineering and entrepreneurship program at Incline High School. For more information about the program, please visit https://www.inclineeducationfund.org/program/step-up-for-stem/.

For questions about the Haunted Carnival, email TahoeAdventures@hyatt.com.   

For more information or to book a getaway to Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe, please visit HyattRegencyLakeTahoe.com, or call (775) 832-1234.

About Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino

Situated among the towering peaks of the Sierra Nevada mountains, the award-winning Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino offers a premier destination based in the nature-infused setting of North Lake Tahoe. The resort is home to an on-site Adventure program offering daily guided activities to help guests explore the Tahoe outdoors with everything from group hikes and archery classes to meditation sessions. Guests can enjoy premium amenities such as a year-round heated lagoon-style pool, two hot tubs, and a 25,000 square-foot Grand Lodge Casino. The resort also boasts the 20,000 square-foot Stillwater Spa featuring a variety of relaxing massages, facials and body treatments as well as state-of-the-art touchless therapies including the Cryobuilt Cryochamber, “Pearl” a revolutionary float orb, and the “Harmony” bioacoustic mat. The property showcases premier dining opportunities at the brand-new Osteria Sierra offering elevated Italian cuisine, pub-style fare at Cutthroat’s Saloon, and grab-and-go selections at Tahoe Provisions. Additional culinary delights include afternoon tea service on the weekends and a selection of world-class pastries created by the resort’s renowned team of pastry chefs. Recognized for excellence, the resort has garnered numerous awards including Travel + Leisure’s 500 Best Hotels in the World, Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best, Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards, Smart Meetings Smart Stars Awards, and U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hotel Awards.

Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino is located on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe, at 111 Country Club Drive, Incline Village, NV, 89451. For more information, visit HyattRegencyLakeTahoe.com or follow the resort on Facebook or Instagram.

About Hyatt Regency hotels 

The Hyatt Regency brand is a global collection of hotels and resorts found in more than 200 locations in over 40 countries around the world. The depth and breadth of this diverse portfolio, from expansive resorts to urban city centers, is a testament to the brand’s evolutionary spirit. For more than 50 years, the Hyatt Regency brand has championed fresh perspectives and enriching experiences, while its forward-thinking philosophy provides guests with inviting spaces that bring people together and foster a spirit of community. As a hospitality original, Hyatt Regency hotels and resorts are founded on openness—our colleagues consistently serve with open minds and open hearts to deliver unforgettable celebrations, effortless relaxation and notable culinary experiences alongside expert meetings and technology-enabled collaboration. The brand prides itself on an everlasting reputation for insightful care—one that welcomes all people across all countries and cultures, generation after generation.
For more information, please visit hyatt.com

Submitted by Lake Tahoe School, Allie Sacci, 10/03/2025

Lake Tahoe School is delighted to announce the return of the High School Fair on Tuesday, October 21, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. This highly anticipated event is designed to connect middle school students and their families from the Tahoe Basin and surrounding areas with representatives from a wide array of top high schools across the country. Providing a crucial early link to post-secondary planning, this fair recognizes that the choice of a high school is a foundational step in a student’s educational journey.

In the state of Nevada, the average high school graduation rate is around 82%, meaning 1 in 5 students do not graduate on time. This stark reality shows why attending a school that is the right academic and social fit is so vital. Attending the right high school impacts a student’s preparedness for college, career, and life, which is why Lake Tahoe School has placed such value in providing this resource for our community.

“Our local Incline High School is an outstanding choice and a great fit for many of our local students, but we believe the best educational path is an informed one,” said Kris Nugent, Director of Admissions at Lake Tahoe School. “In a geographically distinct area like the Tahoe Basin, we know it’s essential to bring as many educational opportunities as possible right to our doorstep. This event saves families countless hours of research and travel, giving them face-to-face access to information that will help them make the best, most informed decision for their child’s next four years and beyond.”

The High School Fair provides a unique opportunity for students and parents to:

• Meet Representatives from preparatory schools, specialized academies, and diverse public and private high schools.
• Discuss Programs including academic rigor, specialized curricula, and extracurricular activities.
• Learn About Affordability by exploring scholarship programs, grants, and financial aid options.

All middle school families seeking insight and direction for the transition to high school are invited to join us for this informative evening. This event is free and open to the public.

For more information and a list of participating schools, please visit https://www.laketahoeschool.org/high-school-fair. If you are unable to attend, please fill out our registration form to receive information from participating high schools.

Event Details:

What: 10th Annual High School Fair

When: Tuesday, October 21, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Where: Lake Tahoe School

995 Tahoe Boulevard

Incline Village, Nevada
Lake Tahoe School is a fully-accredited, independent PreK-8th Grade school in Incline Village, Nevada. For more information about Lake Tahoe School, visit https://www.laketahoeschool.org.

Originally published in the Bobcat Newsletter – ‘Bob’ Cat News

Inevitably, people ask the question of many of us – what makes Lake Tahoe School so special or different from other schools? My initial response is always what drew me to LTS during my first interview for the interim Head of School position eight years ago. Throughout my interview, everyone spoke about the strong sense of community in the school. From my first day on the job, our community has proven time and again the validity of these words as a strong, vibrant, caring, and supportive assemblage of parents, students, faculty, staff, and others, all dedicated to providing the best learning environment for our students. At times, difficult to quantify, this sense of community is palpable to those already members and even to our visitors and guests.

Beyond the positive relationships that underpin our community, several other programs and commitments define us as Bobcats and are the key qualities of an LTS education. In addition to our strong academics, among the most compelling characteristics of the education we offer is our dedication to providing a myriad of opportunities and challenges to all of our students – opportunities in terms of offerings, and challenges that ask our students to explore the world beyond themselves and stretch their own experiences to try new and different things.

• Enrichment Classes – Topping our list of opportunities and challenges for our students are the enrichment classes available to all students. In an era where more schools are cutting similar programs, LTS stands by our commitment to the broadest possible education by requiring our students from PreK to 8th Grade to take courses in Spanish, Physical Education, Art, Music, Makerspace, and in the Lower School, Science. In addition, as more school libraries morph into computer centers or disappear altogether, LTS has students from all grades regularly visiting our thriving, reading-focused library every week.

• Outdoor Education – Beginning as early as PreK with field trips and walks around our campus, LTS offers our students a comprehensive approach to learning about the outdoors surrounding them. From our three outdoor classrooms to walks to the Lake, and trips next door to UC Davis’s TERC labs on the UNR Tahoe campus, our students learn to understand and appreciate the environment around us. Second grade marks the beginning of our overnight experiences with a campus sleepover, and later, Lower School grades participate in overnight opportunities, including rafting trips, visits to the California Coast, and the Gold Country, all with the intention of enhancing classroom learning through experiential activities. By the time our students reach Middle School, they are well-prepared for the challenges of extended trips locally as well as to the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Washington D.C, and Costa Rica. With a focus on history, environmental awareness, and sustainability, spliced with an emphasis on teamwork and cooperation, students are challenged far beyond the classroom walls.

• Drama – Over the past several years, we have witnessed a “dramatic” – pun intended – expansion of our drama experiences. With the Doyle Family Stage as a centerpiece and under the excellent direction of Ms. Amory and crew, more students are acting, singing, and dancing than ever before. Although not a required activity, the joy of seeing our students jump in and perform live for the first time in front of their friends and family is always a highlight for both them and the audience.

• Competitive Athletics – With a participation rate of nearly 95% among students in grades 5-8, competitive athletics are thriving at LTS. Much like the drama program – both are non-required elective opportunities – our students are encouraged and often choose to participate in a sport for the first time. Supplemented by our commitment to fitness in our PE classes, our athletes are supported by a caring and supportive coaching staff. Throw in our Ski Program each season, and students have a wide variety of opportunities to participate and excel in the sport of their choice.

When our trimester-based after-school Activities – including our highly successful Chess Team – and Middle School elective courses such as Coding, Photography, and others are added to the mix, threads of student opportunities and challenges run through the entire Lake Tahoe School educational experience. Opportunities abound for all – young students or older, new to LTS or grizzled “veteran” – to experiment and try new things, strengthen previously learned principles, and have fun while doing so. 

Tying each of these essential threads together are supportive teachers and staff that care – from the front desk to the classroom to the stage, playing field, or court, and beyond. All of which are supported in kind by the ongoing vision of our founders, the preeminence of our mission, and the positive partnership of the entire school community. Thanks for being with us.

Bob

Mark your calendars! The annual Incline Elementary School Jog-a-Thon is happening Friday,
October 3, 2025, and our students are getting ready to run their hearts out for a great cause.
This high-energy fundraiser is more than just laps around the field. It’s a vital source of support
for our school’s Physical Education (PE) program. 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 also partnering with Incline Education Fund to ensure our STEM program
continues to thrive, support our Makerspace, and keep classrooms stocked with the supplies
teachers and students need—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, 09/17/2025, Staff Report

 Twenty-one high school students in the Washoe County School District (WCSD) have been named semifinalists in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program, including Incline High Student Chloe Greer. They are among more than 16,000 scholars nationwide who will compete for nearly $26 million in college scholarships to be awarded next spring.

The semifinalists from the Washoe County School District are:

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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