“School of Rock — The Musical,” is a Broadway show, with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, based on the 2003 movie of the same name that starred Jack Black. The musical follows Dewey Finn, an out-of-work rock singer and guitarist who pretends to be a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school. After identifying the musical talent in his students, Dewey forms a band of fifth-graders, in an attempt to win the upcoming Battle of the Bands contest.

Three shows are scheduled at the SYHS Little Theatre: Friday, March 14, at 6:30 p.m.; Saturday, March 15, at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.; and Sunday, March 16, at 1 p.m. 

Admission to the shows are $10 for students and $15 for adults. Tickets can be purchased at the ASB Webstore, 

www.syvpirates.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=1053708&type=d&pREC_ID=1468681 

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The Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District recently hosted its annual Fall Academic Recognition ceremony, celebrating the exceptional achievements of its students. The ceremony, held during the Winter Sports Rally, highlighted the district’s commitment to fostering academic excellence, improvement, and consistent attendance among its student body.

A standout moment of the event was the presentation of the Most Improved Student Award to Diana Ortega Campos.Diana demonstrated remarkable dedication, raising her GPA by the highest number of grade points from the spring semester to the fall semester. Beyond academics, Diana’s improved attendance and discipline have made her a role model for perseverance and determination. “Congratulations, Diana, on your hard work and dedication!” said ASB Co-President Grace Velasquez.

Academic excellence was on full display as 171 students were recognized for achieving a GPA of 4.0 or higher. Each of these outstanding students received a Santa Ynez sweatshirt as a token of appreciation for their dedication and success. “Congratulations to all 171 students for your unwavering commitment to academic achievement!” remarked ASB Director Mr. Rob Cantrell.

The district also honored 135 students who earned GPAs between 3.5 and 3.9. These students, celebrated for their hard work and dedication, were awarded long-sleeved Pirate T-shirts. “Your dedication to maintaining strong academic performance is truly commendable,” ASB Co-President Sophia Merz shared during the ceremony.

Attendance is a cornerstone of student success, and 459 students were acknowledged for achieving an impressive 95 percent attendance rate. Each of these students received a Pirate Trucker hat as a reward for their commitment to consistent participation in their education. “Thank you for showing up and making the most of your learning opportunities,” said District Superintendent/SYHS Principal Dr. Kimberly Sheehan.

The Fall Academic Recognition ceremony underscores the district’s dedication to nurturing a culture of excellence and resilience. The event served as a heartfelt tribute to the hard work of students, teachers, and families who contribute to the district’s vibrant learning community. Congratulations to all honorees for their exceptional accomplishments!

Santa Ynez High School Announces 2025 Teacher of the Year: Mrs. Melanie Dickey

Santa Ynez High School is proud to announce Mrs. Melanie Dickey as the 2025 Teacher of the Year, an honor voted on by her peers in recognition of her exceptional contributions to education and her unwavering dedication to her students.

Described by colleagues and former students as “the educator I always aspire to be,” Dickey embodies the qualities of a truly outstanding teacher. Her thoughtfulness and reflective approach to teaching set her apart. She consistently develops meaningful relationships with her students, motivating them to achieve their best in her class and beyond.

One former student and current teacher shared, “If I did not have her in my freshman year of high school, I honestly believe I would not have found confidence in my abilities in English. I probably never would have majored in English or become a teacher. She has always been one of my greatest role models.”

Dickey’s dedication extends far beyond the classroom. She invests countless hours in designing thoughtful and engaging lessons that adapt to meet students where they are. She holds her students to rigorous standards, ensuring they strive for excellence, while providing the support and flexibility they need to succeed.

Her colleagues praise her as a wonderful teammate who is always quick to help, support, and offer advice. One staff member remarked, “She creates a nurturing environment where students are encouraged to thrive. Her passion for English is contagious, inspiring and motivating her students to reach their full potential.”

Congratulations, Mrs. Dickey, on being named the 2025 Santa Ynez High School Teacher of the Year!

Santa Ynez High School Announces 2025 Classified Employee of the Year: Mrs. Maria Garcia

Santa Ynez High School is proud to recognize Mrs. Maria Garcia as the 2025 Classified Employee of the Year. This honor, voted on by her colleagues, highlights her extraordinary contributions and unwavering commitment to the school’s success and the well-being of its students and families.

Garcia is described as the backbone of Santa Ynez High School, seamlessly managing countless responsibilities with grace and dedication. Her ability to keep everything running smoothly while maintaining a deep understanding of each student’s needs makes her an invaluable member of the school community.

One of Garcia’s most significant contributions is her role as a bridge for families who do not speak English. Through her work as a translator and advocate, she ensures that every family feels seen, heard, and supported. Her guidance has made a lasting impact, empowering families to actively participate in their students’ education.

Garcia wears many hats at Santa Ynez High School, from translating and working with families to coordinating substitutes and supporting school events like football games. Her colleagues describe her as a “trooper” who handles every responsibility with kindness and efficiency. Her caring approach to interacting with students and families sets a standard of excellence for all.

Congratulations, Mrs. Garcia, on being named the 2025 Santa Ynez High School Classified Employee of the Year!

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To assist Santa Barbara County schools that are struggling to meet the classroom technology needs of their students, the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians has donated over $79,000 to 10 area schools that applied for grants through its foundation’s Technology in Schools Program for the 2024-25 school year. 

The program encourages Santa Barbara County school administrators and faculty to apply for technology grant dollars to fund specific projects. These grants let schools purchase hardware, upgrade infrastructure, add high-tech resources and boost their curriculum. 

The deadline to apply for the 2025-26 school year is April 30, 2025, and all applications must be submitted online at chumash.gov/foundation

This year’s recipients are Vista Del Mar Union School District in Gaviota, College School District in Santa Ynez, Los Olivos Elementary School, Santa Barbara Unified School District, La Colina Junior High School in Santa Barbara, Orcutt Academy High School in Santa Maria, Saint Louis de Montfort Catholic School in Santa Maria, San Marcos High School in Santa Barbara, Lakeview Junior High School in Santa Maria and Santa Ynez Valley Union High School.

“It’s an honor to help enhance the learning experience of potentially thousands of young, learning minds in Santa Barbara County through our Technology in Schools Program,” said Kenneth Kahn, tribal chairman for the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians. “An innovative education is crucial to student engagement and the success of our future generations, and we’re proud to be able to contribute by helping put the latest technology in local classrooms.” 

Vista Del Mar Union School District in Gaviota was awarded $8,255 and will use this funding to upgrade its existing Chromebooks so students can use the latest applications, access the State Testing Portal and replace uninterruptible power supply (UPS) for consistent internet during power outages. 

“Vista is incredibly grateful for the support of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians,” said Bree Valla, superintendent/principal for Vista Del Mar Union School District. “Their support will allow us to ensure that Vista students have continued access to quality technology and are prepared for the 21st century. Thank you, Chumash foryour continued support of our community!” 

College School District in Santa Ynez was awarded $9,173.96 and will use this funding to upgrade its STEAM Maker’sLab by purchasing a 3D printer and an interactive whiteboard. 

“We are so excited to be receiving multiple 3D printers from the Technology in Schools Program,” said Anthony Bruemmer, principal for College School District. “This generosity from the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians goes a long way in our schools by giving enrichment opportunities to our students that would otherwise not be available to them. Thank you so much for giving back to the youth in our community here in Santa Ynez.” 

Los Olivos Elementary School was awarded $10,136 to purchase seven MacBooks and AppleCare to better supportlearning activities conducted on its Promethean interactive display boards.

Santa Ynez Valley Union High School (SYVHS) was awarded $7,000 to fund new hardware, software, accessories andtravel expenses to support the launch of its new Esports league.

“Our students at SYVHS have wanted to increase our technology presence and establish an eSports league for some time now,” said David Kirkhart, science teacher for Santa Ynez Valley Union High School. “Thanks to the incredible grant made available by the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, it will become a reality! The kids are very excited and even with only word of mouth so far, the interest in the [Esports] league continues to grow and grow. We can’t wait to see how far the students will take this and how well they will do. Thank you again for helping make this a reality.” 

Others who received donations from the Chumash include:

• Santa Barbara Unified School District, awarded $10,000 to purchase three digital projectors for its Visual Arts & Design Academy (VADA). 
• La Colina Junior High School, awarded $8,500 to purchase and install Promethean interactive display boards for its math classrooms in advance of a new, modern Amplify Desmos Math curriculum to be implemented next year.
• Orcutt Academy High School, awarded $3,000 for library equipment, including a Paragon Chargebar Table, adjustable stools and portable charging stations. 
• Saint Louis de Montfort Catholic School, awarded $9,500 to purchase new laptops and TI-84 graphing calculators. 
• San Marcos High School, awarded $5,500 to purchase two Cannon EOS R6 digital cameras, 15 SD cards and an iPad Pro.  

In 2015, the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians donated the proceeds from its annual charity golf tournament to four local schools in the form of technology grants. Inspired by the success of those grants, the tribe’s leadership created the Technology in Schools Program through its foundation to help fulfill the high-tech needs of classrooms in Santa Barbara County. Since its inception, the program has issued more than $550,000 in grants to area schools.

The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians has donated more than $30 million to hundreds of groups, organizations andschools in the community and across the nation as part of the tribe’s long-standing tradition of giving. 

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The Santa Ynez Valley Elks Lodge, in collaboration with Santa Ynez Valley Union High School, is pleased to honor Sierra Freedman as the January Elks Student of the Month.

In the eighth grade, Sierra, like many other students,  found herself in the throes of the COVID pandemic. She didn’t want to do schoolwork at all and it took her until her sophomore year to recover from the negative effects of the pandemic. She now maintains a 3.6 GPA. The one thing that turned things around for Sierra was an early birthday gift of her dog, Koda! Koda brought her joy and helped her become more active.

Her love of animals got her involved in the ag program at the high school. She has helped her farm team all four years of high school, where she tends to the ewes and lambs, checking on them every morning and evening. She has been described by an ag teacher as the farm manager.

Sierra has been working since the age of 12 as a baby/petsitter as well as working at OstrichLand in Buellton as an animal caregiver.

Additionally, Sierra has played golf all four years on the SYHS team and helped the Pirates win back-to-back CIF championships in her junior and senior years.

Sierra loves spending her free time at the beach, golfing, and with her dog. Her favorite book is “Lord of the Flies,” her favorite class is veterinary science, her favorite concert is by Pink! and she would love to travel to Yellowstone.

Sierra will be attending Cal State Monterey Bay, majoring in marine biology or wildlife biology. She wants to work with animals, whether domesticated, wild, or marine. Her goal is to work in animal science and environmental conservation.

Santa Ynez Valley Elks honored Sierra with a check for $100. Congratulations!

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The Santa Ynez Valley Elks Lodge recently was able to reward a pair of outstanding Santa Ynez Valley Union High School students who were named Elks Student of the Month.

Cassidy Robinson was named Student of the Month for November, while Cailin Glover got the honor in December.

Robinson is a senior at the Santa Ynez Valley Union High School and is currently enrolled in two AP classes and two dual enrollment classes through Hancock College. She balances that with a part-time job. She still enjoys taking time for herself, driving with the music on, going to the beach, watching the sunset and spending time with loved ones. 

“It is not only important to me to make myself proud but the people around me,” Robinson said. “I enjoy being able to help around the community when I can even if it is as small as lending a friend a helping hand.” 

Robinson hopes to attend Arizona State University next fall, where she hopes to join the cheer team and major in criminal justice. 

“I am interested in making change in the world while also understanding how or why things happen the way they do,” she said. “From a young age I learned grit, determination and perseverance from competitive gymnastics, which showed me that even your hardest battles do not depict who you are as a person but how you deal with them.”

Glover is a student who has shined in athletics, most notably volleyball, where she’s been a three-year captain for the Pirates girls volleyball team, and has been named team MVP and a Scholar Athlete. She also plays for the SYHS girls beach volleyball team in the spring, and also plays for the Flight Academy club team.

Glover is not only a standout in her sport, but also a role model in the classroom, with a 3.9 GPA while taking two AP courses and three Allan Hancock College concurrent enrollment courses. Her teachers describe her as a delight to have in class and say she always contributes positively and with maturity.

“Cailin exemplifies the ideal of a student-athlete,” said SYHS Administrative Assistant Alexa Tomasini. “Her athleticism is unparalleled, as she dominates in her sports with a combination of skill, determination, and an indomitable competitive spirit that inspires her teammates. She consistently demonstrates leadership, strategic thinking, and a work ethic that sets her apart as a force to be reckoned with.”

Cailin hopes to attend the University of Colorado or San Diego State University, majoring in business and marketing, with the goal of being the CEO of a company one day. She loves the Santa Ynez Valley and says this is a great place to live and go to school because it is a small community. She would love to live here as an adult one day with her family, but she will live wherever she can to be near family, especially her brothers. 

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LOS OLIVOS — NBA All-Star and Basketball Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas reflects on his journey from the West Side of Chicago to international stardom in the latest episode of “The Whole Student,” Dunn School’s acclaimed podcast. Hosted by Head of School Kalyan Balaven and innovator Mo Pritzker, the episode dives deep into themes of community, mentorship, and education’s role in shaping lives and fostering belonging.

Thomas shares heartfelt stories of resilience and inspiration, including how his mother, Mary Thomas, instilled the importance of education and integrity during their most challenging times. Now the founder of Mary’s Court Foundation, which supports underprivileged families in Chicago, Thomas continues to champion the values his mother upheld.

“My mom, my biggest inspiration, my biggest motivator, … made it all work,” Thomas said. “We had some very, very difficult times … as I’m older now and I look back on what she really did and how she kept us together as a family … I’m in awe of what she did in the ’50s and ’60s as a woman.”

A unique perspective on belonging and leadership

As a student-athlete, Thomas navigated significant cultural and socioeconomic divides, experiencing firsthand the challenges of belonging in private and public educational spaces. He credits teachers and coaches like Bobby Knight for mentoring him through pivotal moments, helping him grow into both a leader on the court and an advocate for community development.

“Leadership, the way I see it, it’s given, it’s not taken,” Thomas shared. “When I look at those who lead … it comes down to trust. Can you trust this person? Can you trust their word to be accurate and also informative?”

Thomas also discussed the evolving challenges educators face in building trust and community in the classroom:“Without the teachers, without the mentors, without that passing on of knowledge, it’s a scary thought of where we would be,” Thomas said. “If we can get the students and our young folk back to being able to look at each other without suspicion, then you got a chance.”

This episode is part of “The Whole Student” podcast’s third season, which focuses on creating community and belonging in educational settings. The season has featured prominent guests like Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, Academy Award-winning actress Glenn Close, and NextDoor founder Prakash Janakiraman. Each guest brings unique perspectives on how educators, parents, and leaders can foster inclusive environments where all individuals feel valued and supported.

A platform for transformative conversations

Since its launch, “The Whole Student” podcast has been a platform for thought-provoking discussions about education and leadership. With episodes exploring the impact of exceptional teachers, women in STEM fields, and the social challenges of modern schools, the podcast has drawn attention from national education publications and local media alike.

“Our mission is to spark meaningful conversations,” said Balaven. “Through stories like Isiah’s, we aim to inspire educators and parents to rethink education’s role in building trust, resilience, and connection.”

The episode featuring Isiah Thomas is available on all major podcast platforms, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Seasons 1 and 2 are also available on YouTube. The episode comes at a critical time when educators and communities are grappling with how to create environments of belonging amid heightened social and technological pressures. Thomas’s reflections on mentorship and community offer timely insights for those seeking to make a positive impact in their schools and neighborhoods.

About Dunn School: Nestled in the scenic Santa Ynez Valley of California, Dunn School is a boarding and day school for grades 6-12. Since its founding in 1957, Dunn has prioritized Whole Student Education, empowering students to grow academically, emotionally, and morally within a supportive community. The school’s mission extends beyond academics to instill qualities like leadership, responsibility, and compassion in its students.

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The Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District (SYVUHSD) is excited to announce a groundbreaking partnership with the Santa Ynez Pirate Foundation and the Gainey Foundation to empower educators through Creative and Innovative Classroom Grants. This initiative, designed to support teachers’ visionary ideas and creative classroom projects, aims to transform students’ learning experiences and advance educational outcomes across the district.

“We are thrilled to partner with the Santa Ynez Pirate Foundation and the Gainey Foundation to launch this program,” said Dr. Kimberly Sheehan, superintendent of Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District. “These grants will provide teachers with the resources they need to bring their most innovative ideas to life, allowing our students to engage in new and enriching educational experiences that may not otherwise be possible.”

The Creative and Innovative Classroom Grants will be open to all Santa Ynez Valley Union High School teachers, inviting them to submit proposals for projects across all curriculum areas. These projects are intended to inspire creativity, critical thinking, and hands-on learning, helping students build essential skills for the future. By going beyond the limits of existing departmental budgets, the grants will give teachers the opportunity to foster a dynamic learning environment that emphasizes exploration and growth.

Teachers will design project proposals around a three-part framework:

• Project overview: Each project will be developed with specific educational goals and innovative methodologies, engaging students in unique activities that cultivate essential skills.
• Need and impact: Projects will address current challenges within classrooms and curriculum, bringing significant benefits to students, teachers, and the broader school community.
• Budget and resources: Teachers will submit detailed budget proposals, ensuring every dollar is utilized effectively on essential materials, technology, and resources.

At the conclusion of each project, teachers will share evidence of the project’s impact through photographs and sample project work, celebrating the direct results of the Foundation’s support. This initiative, made possible by the Santa Ynez Pirate Foundation and the Gainey Foundation, has the potential to set a new standard in education by highlighting how innovative projects can transform teaching and learning.

The Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District is grateful for the Santa Ynez Pirate Foundation and the Gainey Foundation’s commitment to advancing education. This partnership will inspire a legacy of creativity and academic enrichment that empowers both teachers and students in their educational journey.

For more information about the Creative and Innovative Classroom Grants, please contact Dr. Kimberly Sheehan at the Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District office.

Feature Image: The Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District has reached a partnership that will provide grants for projects teachers can do to “inspire creativity, critical thinking, and hands-on learning.” Star File Photo

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Attention all seniors in North Santa Barbara County high schools: Submissions for next year’s opportunity to earn the $5,000 NatureTrack Foundation’s Nancy Stearns Scholarship will be due sooner than you think.

The scholarship is geared for a graduating student (2025) from a North Santa Barbara County high school, so applicants should start thinking about what their essay will include and highlight. For your 500-word essay, the committee is interested in your educational and career intentions as they relate to nature as well as your goals within the field of natural science*. 

In addition to the completed application and essay, the student must submit a full high school transcript. Priority will be given to a student with a financial need to pursue higher education. Support is awarded for up to four years based on acceptable performance and continuation towards a bachelor’s degree in the natural science field. The 2025 cycle for  this year’s Nancy Stearn’s Scholarship is open until March 15. You can find all the info and apply on the organization’s website at https://naturetrack.org, under the “Get Involved” tab. 

Sue Eisaguirre, founder and E.D. of NatureTrack Foundation, is very grateful to Brett Stearns, who pledged to underwrite the scholarship in honor of his wife Nancy, who was a docent for NatureTrack since it began in 2011. “We hope this scholarship will provide students with the opportunity to pursue their college education all while fostering a stronger connection to nature,” Eisaguirre said. Stearns’s ongoing commitment ensures Nancy’s legacy will continue to empower and inspire future generations for years to come. 

Docents and committee members Dennis and Carole Nord noted “Nancy had more love and enthusiasm for nature. She was always up for exploring flowers in bloom, birds to be discovered or the latest botanical mystery.” Nancy Stearns pursued the experience in nature for the K-12 students on field trips in our county and proved her love of nature asextremely contagious.  

This is the fifth year for the essay contest. Previous winners include Catalina Kett, who’s at High Point University in North Carolina majoring in biology with a minor in Spanish; Brynley Ellsworth, who is studying botany at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah; Erin Trathern, who is majoring in environmental engineering at Oregon State in Corvallis, Oregon; and Braiden Flaherty, who is at University of California, Santa Cruz, where he is pursuing marine biology.   

The Nancy Stearns Scholarship is broken up into four disbursements with $2,000 awarded the first year and $1,000 awarded year two, three, and four based on acceptable performance. The award is paid directly to the student’s school tuition account. For more information about the NatureTrack Nancy Stearns Scholarship or other ways you can get involved with the NatureTrack Foundation, please visit NatureTrack.org or call Sue Eisaguirre at (805)886-2047, or email her sue@naturetrack.org. 

*Natural science includes any study of nature. Suggested desirable majors to support (not inclusive): biological sciences (botany, aquatic biology, wildlife, ecology, entomology, horticulture, animal science, plant science, etc.), earth sciences (geology, oceanography, geography, remote sensing, cartography), wildlife sciences, outdoor education, and environmental sciences. Please note it does not include agriculture, health or medicine. 

The goal of this scholarship is to support students who will find a career in support of nature: conserving, preserving, researching or sharing nature with others. If there is another major which will prepare you for that goal, please apply and explain your educational path to that goal.

If you plan to study any other topic and intend to apply your knowledge and skills to the natural world, consider applying for this scholarship; go to naturetrack.org/scholarship-application/.

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Now entering its 24th year, and first with new director Amy Curti, The Santa Ynez High School Theatre Group is preparing for six weekend performances of a literary classic, “Little Women.”

The production, featuring SYHS students in the cast, is scheduled for three shows on successive weekends starting Friday, Nov. 15, and again on Friday, Nov. 22. Friday and Saturday shows start at 7 p.m., with the Sunday shows beginning at 2 p.m.

The shows will be the first under the direction of Curti, a 1991 graduate of SYHS who has taken over for Jeff McKinnon, the founder of the group who retired earlier this year.

“I was at St. Joseph for the last five years, in Santa Maria, and this is my alma mater, so I’d been kind of patiently waiting for Jeff to retire,” Curti said. “At one point, I knew he was close to retiring, so I contacted him to ask his timeline, and once he did make plans to retire, I applied for the job and got it.

“I did about 11 production during my time at St. Joe’s, all of them musicals. So, I’m kind of easing into this position by just doing a play.”

“Little Women” originated as a classic, coming-of-age novel by Louisa May Alcott, first published in the 19th century. The story follows the lives of the four March sisters — Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy — and details their passage from childhood to womanhood. The story is loosely based on Alcott’s life with her three sisters.

“Jeff [McKinnon] had an advanced theater class last year, and he warned them I was coming, and asked to submit a ‘wish list’ of their three top shows,” Curti said. “So I got the list, and ‘Little Women’ was on there, and that was an easy choice for me. I teach American literature and ‘Little Women’ is one of my favorite childhood stories.”

Curti started with SYHS in August, and had auditions for the show at the end of the month.

“Jeff had told me he had some strong female leads in his class that I would get,” she said. “So I started two weeks, teaching my two theater classes, and I saw a few of them in ‘Bye, Bye Birdie’ that the Arts Outreach had put on, so I knew what kind of talent I had.”

One interesting aspect about the play is that the young actors will actually be wearing wireless mics while doing the show.

“This is the first time we’ve had a sound system, and we’ll be putting mics on the students, in addition to the hanging mics [above the stage],” Curti said. “Before that, we’ve just been using natural projection, which I wish the kids could do, but they can’t, so we’ll mic them. Plus, we’ll need to mic them for next semester’s musical.”

Ah, yes, as Curti disclosed, the group will be doing a musical, “School of Rock,” based on the movie starring Jack Black.

“I’ll be collaborating with Rob Cantrell, who’s the music teacher here and also in the [local band] Molly Ringwald Project,” she said. “He’s a guitarist, so we’re playing with the idea of having live music with that show. It’ll definitely be a bigger production.”

Of course, with theater, there is more than just what’s on the stage. Productions depend on people who know how lighting and sound works, and those that can build stage sets. That’s a fact not lost on Curti.

“We have a lot of outside help: For instance, we have a family here, the Kelseys, who are Civil War re-enactors, and they’ve let us borrow some of their costumes because that’s the time period for ‘Little Women,'” she said. “And we have Chris Mullin, one of our teachers, who helps us with the sets.”

“However, I’d say that’s something we need to build here; I’m working right now to really learn all aspects of the theater. And I would say a goal would be that we would build a technical theater program here, for students to learn this.”

But, for the moment, the focus is on “Little Women” and the upcoming premiere on Nov. 15 at the school’s Little Theater.

The shows will run on Nov. 15, 16, and 17, and again on Nov. 22, 23, and 24. Showtimes are 7 p.m. for the Friday and Saturday shows, and 2 p.m. for the Sunday shows. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for students, and $50 for VIP and can be purchased at syvuhsd.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=1086199&type=d&pREC_ID=1468892.

Feature image: Amy Curti, a member of Santa Ynez High’s Class of 1991, is in her first year as the director of the SYHS Theater Group after five years at St. Joseph’s High in Santa Maria. Photo by Mike Chaldu.

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The Santa Ynez High School Pirate football will Go Pink on Friday, Oct. 18, in recognition of Cancer Awareness Month and to help fundraise for a local Pirate family who have been facing one of the biggest fights of their life.

“Go Pink Night is a very meaningful tradition for our football family as players, coaches, and fans honor all women and men who are fighting cancer, and we re- member those special to us who have fought the battle and have lost,” said head football coach Josh McClurg. “We lost [longtime football program supporter] Carl Rio a few years ago and it has hit us a few times within our own football family. This year, we have a friend, a Pirate parent, Trish Robinson, who is fighting a rare connective tissue disease attacking her lungs called anti synthetase syndrome with overlapping inflammatory myositis. This affects less than 3,500 people in the U.S. with no cure to date. However, with proper care and treatment, it can go into remission. She is currently undergoing treatment, which is going to take time and patience! We want Trish and the Robinson Family to know we stand with them and want to help as best we can.”

Santa Ynez High School Football Boosters will hold a fundraising raffle at the Oct. 18 game that will include a:

• Pirate football helmet signed by all the players
• Custom Pirate cooler
• Gift certificate for a letterman’s jacket from Dellavalle Embroidery

The fundraiser will also include a bake sale. This year, 100 percent of the proceeds from the fundraising effort will go to Trish and the Robinson Family.

If you would like to make a donation, please contact the SYHS Football Boosters at sypiratefootball@gmail.com or visit our website at sypiratefootball.com.

The JV game begins at 4 p.m. and the varsity game kicks off at 7 p.m.

Feature image: Trish Robinson, seen here with her daughter Cassidy, a cheerleader and track athlete at SYHS, is fighting a rare connective tissue disease called anti synthetase syndrome and will be the focus of the Go Pink football fundraising effort on Oct. 18. Photo contributed by SYHS.

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