“By the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes.”

With these words, the fateful encounter between Macbeth and the three Weird Sisters begins, setting in motion William Shakespeare’s tragedy of imagination and ambition, which in theater circles is known as “The Scottish Play,” but in literary circles as The Tragedy of Macbeth.

The Santa Ynez High School Theater Group is about to tackle this, one of Shakespeare’s bloodiest (and spookiest) plays.

The ghost of Banquo haunts Macbeth: Jake Gildred as Macbeth, Kiasra Costarelli as Lady Macbeth, and Lauren Thorburn as Banquo.

Director Jeff McKinnon has assembled a cast and crew of 30 students who have immersed themselves in Shakespeare’s harrowing tragedy of witchcraft, ambition and murder for the past three months.

Rehearsals have included intense fight scenes, directed by Patrick Lawlor, choreographer for last spring’s popular and rollicking production of Treasure Island. In addition to the fights, senior Davis Reinhart has composed and will perform an original instrumental music score to set the appropriate creepy mood and punctuate the action. Lights and costumes are designed by long-time Theater Group collaborators David and Tatiana Johnson.

“When Shakespeare wrote Macbeth in 1606, England was just two years past the death of Queen Elizabeth and the coronation of James the Sixth of Scotland, now James the First, king of Ireland, Scotland and England (“treble sceptered”), as well as being in the immediate aftermath of the Gunpowder Plot, the unsuccessful attempt by a group of Catholic separatists to blow up a full session of Parliament along with James and his family,” McKinnon noted. “James also had a fascination with and fear of the occult, culminating in his 1597 publication of “Daemonology,” a pseudo-scholarly rationalization for his popularizing of what we now think of as “witch hunts.”

“Shakespeare was also aware of the popular appeal of a tale involving witchcraft that is, literally, drenched in blood, to an audience thirsting for such fare. The “witches” thoroughly dominate this tale, and in this production their presence is ubiquitous.

“Critic Harold Bloom calls the play “a tragedy of the imagination.” The Macbeths, with their “vaulting ambition,” and Macbeth’s own imagination-on-overdrive personality, are vulnerable to the Sisters’ suggestions. They know his weaknesses and exploit them with tragic results. The play, says Bloom, seems so terrifying to us ‘…partly because that aspect of our own imagination is so frightening.’ Macbeth is one of us. He is not evil, but in his world, as perhaps in ours, evil is everywhere. One only needs to invite it in,” McKinnon added.

Shows are scheduled for 7 p.m. on Dec. 5-7 and Dec. 12-14 in the Little Theatre on the high school campus. Tickets, available at the door, are $10 for adults and $5 for students. This production may not be appropriate for younger children.

For more information, call 688-6487, ext. 2361.

The post SYVUHS Theater Group presents ‘Macbeth’ in December appeared first on Santa Ynez Valley Star.

The principal of Santa Ynez Valley Union High School was arrested last month on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, the California Highway Patrol confirmed.

Mark Swanitz, 50, was taken into custody at 5:08 p.m. Oct. 21 after being involved in a traffic collision, CHP Officer Joel Asmussen told Noozhawk.

Swanitz was booked into Santa Barbara County Jail on charges of driving under the influence and driving under the influence with a blood alcohol content above .08 percent.

In the criminal complaint filed at Santa Barbara County Superior Court, Swanitz has been charged with misdemeanor driving under the influence of alcohol, and driving while having a blood alcohol content of 0.08 percent or higher.

Swanitz allegedly had a blood alcohol content of .12, the criminal complaint said. (A driver is presumed drunk under state law with a blood alcohol content of 0.08.)

He is scheduled to be arraigned on the charges at 8:30 a.m. Nov. 20 before Santa Maria Department 3 Judge Kay Kuns.

Swanitz declined to comment, saying it was a personal matter.

Swanitz has been principal at the Santa Ynez Valley high school since 2010 and graduated from the school with the class of 1985.

“Mr. Swanitz is an employee in very good standing and is highly regarded by the staff,” Superintendent Scott Cory said. “This incident has no connection to his employment in any way.

“He is alleged to have made a bad mistake and is now paying the price for it,” Cory added. “No one should drink and drive.”

Swanitz has not been placed on administrative leave.

Before leading Santa Ynez high school, Swanitz spent four years as principal of Dos Pueblos High School in Santa Barbara.

— Noozhawk North County editor Janene Scully can be reached at jscully@noozhawk.com.

The post Santa Ynez Valley High School Principal Arrested on DUI Charges appeared first on Santa Ynez Valley Star.

By Raiza Giorgi

The sports fields at Santa Ynez Valley Union High School won’t be the same after larger-than-life Athletic Director Ken Fredrickson retired at the end of the school year.

Chris Avery, the same man who encouraged him to go into teaching, is taking over in this fall. Fredrickson says he owes a lot to his longtime friend.

“Chris is going to do great things with athletics, and he already has by bringing the department into the new wave of technology by creating a Twitter account to update Pirates fans,” Fredrickson said.

After 19 years at the high school, Fredrickson said he was honored to have led the school in some great accomplishments, as just this year the girls water polo team won the CIF championship for the first time in school history, and the girls softball team took second in CIF.

“No matter what the stats line up as, as far as wins and losses, I am most proud of the fact we have more kids playing some kind of sport. Almost 70 percent of the student body is involved in something,” Fredrickson said.

Fredrickson said his love of sports came from his two older brothers who were always playing, “and I was always on the taller side, so why not use it?” he said.

As a freshman at Dos Pueblos High School in Santa Barbara, Fredrickson was already taller than six feet; he played football, baseball and basketball.

“I loved basketball the most, but I’d say I do have one regret not doing baseball my junior or senior year,” he added.

When he wasn’t on the court or field at school he was playing sports at the Goleta Boys Club. After graduating from high school in 1978 he attended Santa Barbara City College and ended up working at Delco, an aerospace defense company. He worked there until 1997, and the company’s tuition assistance program helped him earn a bachelor’s degree from Cal State Dominguez Hills.

He also received a master’s degree in organizational management from Antioch University a few years later.

When Delco was sold, Fredrickson — encouraged by his friend Avery — decided to get his teaching credential and was able to stay home briefly as a “Mr. Mom.”

“My wife is a teacher as well, and it was actually amazing to spend time with my kids and study to be a teacher,” Fredrickson said.

His first job was as a math teacher and coach for Bishop Diego. In the 1998-99 school year he moved to Santa Ynez, becoming a driver’s education teacher and athletic director. He added algebra and computer applications to the list of classes he taught.

After a few years he worked mostly in administration as the athletic director and the staff member who dealt with truancy.

“Anyone can pick what kind of athletic director they want to be, the type that likes to shake hands and do a big show before the games, but I really wanted to just be support for the coaching staff, because it’s really them who are doing the work,” Fredrickson said.

He will miss the interactions with the coaches, players, and the many parents he’s met who were involved with the various booster clubs — whom he calls the unsung heroes of the athletic department — but he is looking forward to his next game, enjoying family and traveling.

Ken and Dawn Fredrickson are enjoying the start of their retirement by vacationing in Europe with family and friends.

Fredrickson is overseas this month, visiting family and spending time with friends as he travels to several countries. He and his wife Dawn aren’t planning to move anywhere, though, as they both have relatives close by who need their help.

“I think I accomplished my goal of playing hard, and for people to look at our athletic department and say we are fair and accommodating to our visitors. I wish Chris the best moving forward and will always cheer for the Pirates,” Fredrickson said.

The post Ken Fredrickson reflects on SYHS career appeared first on Santa Ynez Valley Star.

The Olympic boxer, Carlos Balderas, will be one of the keynote speakers during Allan Hancock College’s Young Educated Latino Leaders Conference, better known as the YELL Conference. The free event will be Saturday, December 3, from 9 a.m. until 12:45 p.m. at the Marian Theatre on the college’s Santa Maria campus.

The event aims to encourage students to set higher educational goals by providing college and career guidance, as well as personalized stories of success. Any male high school student from the Central Coast is encouraged to attend. Guests will receive food and have a chance to win prizes during the conference. Transportation will be provided by AHC to and from the event for students in the Santa Ynez and Lompoc valleys, Guadalupe and Southern San Luis Obispo County.

“The YELL Conference is a unique and very uplifting event,” said organizer Diana Perez, the Cal-SOAP director at Hancock. “Students will walk away with the understanding they have the ability to succeed and achieve their dreams by attending a college, like Allan Hancock College.”

Olympic boxer Carlos Balderas captivated the Central Coast during the 2016 Rio Olympics. The Santa Maria native won his first two fights in the men’s lightweight class before losing by decision in the quarterfinals. Carlos’ father and brothers introduced him to boxing when he was in elementary school as a way to keep him out of trouble. About ten years later, their decision paid off with a ticket to Rio.

Richard Santana, Ed.M. and Roberto Rivas will also be keynote speakers during the event. The founder of Homeboy Goes to Harvard Productions, Santana will share his story as a third-generation gang member who went on to earn a master’s degree from Harvard University. Rivas, the founder and chief executive officer of Encuentros Leadership, will discuss the students’ rite of passage and explain how they can empower themselves to succeed.

To register online for the conference and/or transportation, visit www.hancockcollege.edu/YELL. For more information, please contact the Central Coast Cal-SOAP office at (805) 922-6966 ext. 3710.

The post Olympian Carlos Balderas Headlines Hancock Event to Empower Male High School Students appeared first on Santa Ynez Valley Star.

FOOTBALL

Friday, Oct. 7 – MORRO BAY – JV 4p.m., varsity Homecoming game at 7 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 21 – LOMPOC – JV 4 p.m., varsity 7 p.m.  Varsity 7 p.m.

BOYS WATERPOLO

Wednesday, Oct. 12 – NIPOMO – JV 3:30p.m., varsity at 4:30 p.m., SYVUHS pool.

Wednesday, Oct. 26 – MORRO BAY – JV 3:30p.m., varsity at 4:30 p.m.

GIRLS TENNIS

Tuesday, Oct. 4 – MORRO BAY – 3:30 p.m. varsity match at the SYVUHS tennis courts.

Wednesday, Oct. 5 – SAN MARCOS – 3:30 p.m. JV match.

Thursday, Oct. 6 – TEMPLETON – 3:30 p.m. varsity match.

Tuesday, Oct. 11 – NIPOMO – 3:30 p.m. JV match.

Thursday, Oct.  13 – CABRILLO – 3:30 p.m. Varsity match.

Tuesday, Oct. 18 – ORCUTT ACADEMY – 3:30 p.m. JV match.

Thursday, Oct. 20 – SANTA MARIA – 3:30 p.m. varsity match.

Thursday-Friday, Oct. 27-28 – LPL FINALS – 9 a.m.  Playoffs will be held at Hancock College and Minami Community Center in Santa Maria

GIRLS GOLF

Monday, Oct. 3 – CABRILLO – 3 p.m. at The Alisal River Course

Tuesday, Oct. 4 – SANTA BARBARA – 3 p.m. at The Alisal River Course

Monday, Oct. 10 – MORRO BAY – 3 p.m. at The Alisal River Course

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

Tuesday, Oct. 4 – MORRO BAY – 3:30 p.m. freshmen-sophomore match; 4:30 p.m. JV; 5:30 p.m. varsity, in SYVUHS’s New Gym.

Thursday, Oct. 6 – TEMPLETON – 3:30 p.m. freshmen-sophomore match; 4:30 p.m. JV; 5:30 p.m. varsity, in SYVUHS’s New Gym.

Thursday, Oct. 13 – CABRILLO – 3:30 p.m. freshmen-sophomore match; 4:30 p.m. JV; 5:30 p.m. varsity.

Wednesday, Oct. 19 – SAN MARCOS – 4 p.m. freshmen-sophomore match; 5 p.m. JV; 6:30 p.m. varsity

Thursday, Oct. 20 – SANTA MARIA – 3:30 p.m. freshmen-sophomore match; 4:30 p.m. JV; 5:30 p.m. varsity.

CROSS COUNTRY

The team has no home meets this season. Races in the area include:

Saturday, Oct. 1 – time TBA in Atascadero

Wednesday, Oct. 5 – TBA at Cabrillo

Saturday, Oct. 15 – 10 a.m. at Dunn School

Thursday, Oct. 27 –  2 p.m. at Lompoc River Park

The post SYVUHS Athletic Calendar for October appeared first on Santa Ynez Valley Star.

$50 Cash or Check made out to:  SYHS Football Boosters

You can purchase a card at any of the following locations:

El Rancho Market

Nielsen’s Market

Harrison Hardware

Julia Tipolt, State Farm (Solvang, Mission Dr.)

Pirate Store @ Friday night home games

 High School Registration days: Tue, Jul 26 and Wed, Jul 27, 8am – 1pm at the PTSA/Pirate Store table

Or Contact:

Julia Tipolt, 688-5537-w or 805-452-2124 -cell or Julia@Juliatipolt.com

Josh McClurg, 688-6487  x 3228

Football Boosters and Football Players

Jacque Wagstaffe, Jacque@impulse.net  or 895-8556 –cell

The Pirate Pass sales help raise money to support our SYHS Football teams!  Go Pirates!! 

Pirate Pass Saving Card Merchants 2016

$50 Cash or Checks to SYHS Football Boosters / Valid Aug 1, 2016 – July 31, 2017

—————————————————————————————————————————-

1. A. ART KASLOW, DDS – Free Exam & X-Rays! $75 discount on treatment. Call 688-2269
2. ADVANCED AUTOMOTIVE SOLUTIONS – 10% off oil change. $49.95 Smog Certificate (models newer than 1996)
3. ALFRESCO PICNIC in Buellton – $1.00 off any Sandwich or Salad, Monday–Wednesday, 225 McMurray Rd, 245-2864
4. ANTONIO’S PIZZA – 10% off Dine In or Take Out orders. Sorry not valid on Delivery orders.
5. ASCEND ACUPUNCTURE – 40% off second visit (cannot be used with Insurance) but we do accept insurance!  895-1164
6. AVANT TAPAS & WINE – 15% off food and wine
7. BACK AT THE RANCH –  10% off purchase, Wednesday only, Excludes furniture & lighting
8. BACON & BRINE – 10% off weekdays, lunch and dinner, including deliveries (new address of restaurant: 1618 Copenhagen Dr. Solvang)
9. BRENT & JEFF’S FLOORING – 2% off new flooring at time of purchase, Cardholder Only
10. BUELLTON GARAGE – $5.00 off any oil change.  Cannot be combined with other offers. Call for an appt: 688-3444
11. BUELLTON REC CENTER – 50% off 30 day All Access Card) Never Any Contract! Never Membership Fee.    Offer valid one per Pirate Pass. Does not apply to A La Carte classes.  buelltonrec.com
12. CALIFORNIA TACOS 1 & 2  – 10% off everything (excluding $6 menu and alcohol)
13. CHRISTINE PHOTOGRAPHY – 50% Off – One time set-up fee for a custom designed, mobile friendly Web App for your business. (Low monthly payment options).
14. COAST AUTO SALES – $100.00 discount on any vehicle in stock (ask for Tom Shean) 688-0755
15. COFFEE CABIN – 10% off all drinks (except kids drinks)
16. DANIEL GEHRS WINES, Los Olivos – Buy One Full Tasting, Get One Free, 21 and older
17. DELLAVALLE EMBROIDERY – 50% off Custom Logo Setup with first order.  10% off Garment/Embroidery orders.  10% off Custom Letterman Jacket OR orders over $75 we will donate 5% to your favorite SYVUHS Booster Club. Offers may not be combined.  693-9922
18. DESIGN ALTERNATIVES – 10% Off on Tuesday
19. DRIVE TECH DRIVING SCHOOL – $20 off Behind the wheel drivers training (6 hour course). Private Lessons 688-4502.
20. DR. J’s BIKE SHOP – 15% off purchases up to $500, valid Tuesdays only. Does not apply to bicycles, service, rentals or tours.
21. DR. SEAMOUNT SPECIALIST IN ORTHODONTICS – 15% off complete treatment
22. EL RANCHO Coffee Bar – Weekends Only (Saturday & Sunday). $1 off one coffee drink or half off one brewed coffee, per Cardholder, per day
23. FIGUEROA MOUNTAIN BREWING CO. – 10% daily on daught beer, growler fills and merchandise. Not to be combined with any other offer.
24. FINE WOOD INTERIORS – 10% up to $100 off any new wood floor, re-sand or re-coat. Free estimates.
25. FIRESTONE WALKER BREWING CO. – “10% off entire purchase, M-TH.  Buellton Taproom.  Cardholder only.
26. FIRST BANK – Free small safe deposit box for 1 year when you open any First Bank checking account (Solvang branch only) 
27. FRAMES BY MIREN – The only Certified Picture Framer in SB Co! 10% savings on custom picture framing and 15% savings on custom sports framing. By apt. Call/Text 331-8645 or www.framesbymiren.com
28. FRESCO VALLEY CAFÉ – 10% off order Monday & Tuesday (1 order per card). Excludes beer and wine.
29. GINO’S PIZZA – 10% off order, every day
30. GLOBAL GARDENS – 15% off Friday’s only entire selection foods & Gifts at our Los Olivos Farm Stand, 2450 Alamo Pintado Road.
31. GOOD LIFE CRAFT BEER & WINE CELLAR – 15% discount on all ‘off-premise’ bottle purchases for cardholder only. Must be 21+ in age.
32. G. Wilikers – 10% off everyday!
33. HARRISON HARDWARE – 10% off on Mon., Tues., & Wed. 1051 Edison St. location only
34. HEAVENLY HANDS – outcall massage. Receive $10 off, not to be combined with Senior Citizen Discount. 245-6758.
35. HOME CONNECTION – 15% discount on one item, Tues. or Wed. (excluding net priced items)
36. ICE IN PARADISE – New Ice Skating Rink in Goleta. 10% off Public Skate Session.  Limit 6 people.
37. INGEBORG’S CHOCOLATES – 10% off Every day, 365 Days!  Cardholder only
38. J. WOESTE, LOS OLIVOS –  10% off purchases on Tuesdays and Wednesdays
39. JIM’S SERVICE CENTER – 4 cents off per gallon.  Gasoline and Diesel fuel only.  Cash Only.  – No credit or debit cards with this offer.
40. JOHNSON’S JEWEL BOX – $5.00 Ear Piercing on Tuesdays
41. KABUKI JAPANESE RESTAURANT – 10% off Thursday nights
42. KATE’S YOGURT, Solvang – 10% off yogurt purchase
43. KNIT FIT – 20% off Painting
44. LIFE CHIROPRACTIC – 50% off  New Patient initial services
45. LONGHORN COFFEE SHOP – 10% off purchase, Cardholder only
46. LOS OLIVOS GENERAL STORE – 10% off purchases on Wednesdays
47. LOS OLIVOS GROCERY – 10% off purchase every Mon. & Tues. (exclusive of Tobacco & Newspapers Only) – Cardholder Only
48. MIE’S BEADS – 15% off purchase of $15 or more M-F
49. MOTHER HUBBARD’S RESTAURANT – 10% off purchase, Must present card before ordering (not valid with any other offer)
50. NEARY CHIROPRACTIC – 20% off treatment for new patients. Does not apply to insurance or current patients.
51. NEW FRONTIERS NATURAL MARKETPLACE – 10% off purchases between $50.00 & $99.00.  $15% off purchases $100 or more. (Valid on Wednesdays) Cardholder Only
52. NIELSEN’S MARKET – 10% off groceries Wed. only (exclusive of weekly ad items, liquor, tobacco & dairy)
53. OLIVE HILL FARM – 10% off any purchase, one Free Tasting per visit
54. PARTS UNKNOWN – 10% off your purchase of $150.00 or more (valid Tuesdays at Solvang store only)
55. PERFORMANCE FITNESS – 10 Day Passes for $60 OR 75% off Enrollment Fee (Passes must be used by 1 person in 90 day period)
56. PIZZA SHACK – 10% off your order
57. POLKA DOT – 20% off all Catering & Event planning  
58. R. GOULD & SON ELECTRIC – 10% off any electrical labor. 688-8849
59. RADIANCE TANNING – 10% off products & services M – F, 15% off on Saturdays
60. SANTA YNEZ BURRITO – Free fountain drink with purchase of burrito at regular price
61. SANTA YNEZ VALLEY CHEESE COMPANY – 10% off any purchase, 1095 Meadowvale Rd, Suite E, Santa Ynez
62. SANTA YNEZ VALLEY FLORIST – 10% discount on $50.00 or more purchase. Local orders only. Purchase does not apply to Teleflora orders and sale items.  688-4231
63. SANTA YNEZ WINE COUNTRY MASSAGE – $20 Off 90 minute ($10 off 60 minute) in-home massage 886-4551
64. SOLARPONICS – $500 off any system purchase
65. SOLVANG BAKERY – 20% off with Pirate Pass on all merchandise, everyday (except birthday or wedding cakes), 438 Alisal Road, Solvang, 688-4939
66. SOLVANG BREWING CO. – 10% off food items, exclusive of Alcohol – Cardholder only
67. SOLVANG CHIROPRACTIC – $50 includes: Chiropractic adjustment with comprehensive health exam; nutritional consult and private personal training session. $200 value 325-9698
68. SOLVANG COFFEE COMPANY – (adjacent to the Book Loft) – Free 12oz drip coffee with purchase of baked good on Mondays & Tuesdays
69. SOLVANG RESTAURANT – 10% off Tuesdays, food only, not to-go orders
70. SOLVANG TOYLAND – 10% off $20.00 or more purchases, Wednesdays or Thursdays only. (Excludes sale items)
71. STAR DRUGS – Wednesdays only,15% off on all merchandise (excludes prescriptions and UPS/FedEx Shipping)
72. STATE FARM INSURANCE – JULIA TIPOLT AGENCY – $5 Visa Gift Card for new home or auto quote, new customers only (1 per Household), with Pirate Pass 688-5537
73. STEVE’S WHEEL & TIRE – Free Nitrogen Air Fill & Tire Rotation ($50 value) exp. 12/31/15
74. SUCCULENT CAFÉ – 15% off dinner entrees on Wednesdays and Thursdays (excludes alcohol)
75. THE CLIQUE – 10% off entire purchase on Wednesdays
76. TOWER PIZZA – $2 off $15 or more
77. UPS STORE– 10% off notary service, 5% off UPS shipping.
78. VALLEY GRIND, Santa Ynez – 10% off all coffee drinks on Mondays only. 20% off one retail item on Tuesdays only.
79. VALLEY HARDWARE & GARDEN CENTER – Pirate Bag (Mondays only): 10% off regularly priced merchandise that fits in our bag

80. VIKING PRESS PRINTING– 100 Color Copies for $20.17 including tax (or .20 each + tax, any quantity) with presentation of Pirate Pass. 515 4^th Place, Solvang,  688-5219

1. VINEYARD HOUSE RESTAURANT – Complimentary Appetizer or Dessert,  Mondays and Wednesdays – Limit 1 Per Table, $25 Minimum Purchase
2. VINTINPIX – Vintage Trailer & Photo Booth Company $50 off photo booth rental (2 hour minimum), not good with any other offers/discounts 688-1025
3. WEST CHIROPRACTIC – 25% Off Office Visit.

The post Pirate Pass available for many Santa Ynez Valley businesses appeared first on Santa Ynez Valley Star.

The post SYHS JV girls volleyball coach needed appeared first on Santa Ynez Valley Star.

The Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District is placing a bond measure on the November 8, 2016 ballot that seeks to secure the necessary funding for engaging in a facility modernization project to reconstruct deteriorating infrastructure that is beyond its useable life.  I would like to provide you with some details and also extend an invitation for an opportunity to provide input and ask questions early on in the process at a town hall style meeting at 6 p.m. on June 16, in the high school library.  First and foremost, it’s a chance for me to listen to what you have to say on this topic as I value our community’s input. You are invited to hear a presentation about our modernization plans, ask all of your questions and take home relevant materials to help you better understand why we are reaching out to the community.

When I first came to the district as superintendent for the 2013-2014 school year, it was immediately evident that there was a job to be done in determining what facility needs were the most important to tackle.  In order to identify the needs, we engaged in a year-long facility assessment process in concert with an outside company and examined every part of the campus including roofs, paving, sewer and fresh water lines, heating and air conditioning, fire/life/safety and restrooms, among other things.  We wanted to be able to assure the community that any request for bond funds would be based specifically on important facility needs and not wants or “nice-to-haves”; it’s our job to seek other types of funding for these sorts of things.  Examples of some of those important facility needs include: sixty year old electrical breakers, sixty-five year old underground piping, and seventy-five year old flooring.

In the vein of being responsible and sensitive to our community, the school board and I also established very specific financial goals and parameters for ourselves.  They include: 1) no next-generation debt and; 2) do all that we can to ensure that the most money possible goes to funding project costs, not interest.  With this in mind, we are seeking fifteen-year term of bond repayments.  The shorter repayment time results in both significant interest savings versus a typical thirty-year repayment and ensures that approximately seventy-five cents of every dollar goes to project costs instead of the typical fifty-five cents or less for longer terms.  Pending a final vote from the school board at the June 21 meeting, the total bond amount will be in the neighborhood of fourteen million dollars.

We have taken, and will continue to take, this process very seriously as we desire to be the best stewards of the community’s funds while we also do our best to take care of the community’s facility.  In addition to serving roughly 1,000 valley high school students, we provide seven-days-a-week facility access to an average of thirty different community organizations each year.  Our gyms, pool, athletic fields, classrooms and the only indoor theater in the Valley are used by such organizations the YMCA, various youth wrestling, football, soccer, track and basketball leagues, Solvang Parks and Recreation, SYV Swim Club, Junior Rifle Club, Arts Outreach, Valley Glee and Allan Hancock College, to name a few.  We desire to do our best for not only our students, but also our community; our biggest supporter is the community in which we live.  So much of what we do could not happen without you.

It is very important for us to be transparent with, and accountable to, our community.  With that in mind, I would like to invite all of you to the first of several town hall-style meetings. Would you consider joining us?  Please help me spread the word to others that might be interested.

The post Commentary – A Thoughtful Decision for the Valley’s Future appeared first on Santa Ynez Valley Star.

We hope you all shoot for the stars!

Photos by Barry Sigman

The post Santa Ynez Valley Union High School Graduation Photo Gallery appeared first on Santa Ynez Valley Star.

Many seniors at Santa Ynez Valley Union High School were celebrated for their academic and athletic scholarship accomplishments during an awards ceremony in the New Gym on campus on Wednesday, May 18. The students and their families and organizations and individuals who created the scholarship opportunities came together to hand out the certificates.

“My husband and I were able to attend college because of this opportunity and when we married 10 years ago it was a goal of ours to create a scholarship to help give back. This is our seventh year now and we are so thrilled to help the students achieve higher learning,” said Jody Colt, of Solvang, with her husband Chris.

Of the hundreds of scholarships more than $300,000 was awarded to SYVUHS students from local scholarships and from foundations such as the Valley Foundation and the Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara according to event organizer Alisha Holley, registrar at SYVUHS.

Tanner Shean was awarded the Austin Bartoo Athletic Memorial Scholarship among several awarded, in memory of Austin Bartoo, a former student at the high school who passed away last year from injuries resulting from a car accident. His sister Shannon Strange (Bartoo) handed him the scholarship which means a great deal to her family and she indicated it would be what her brother would want.

Coach Josh McClurg hugged Tim Gauthier tightly when he handed him the Jeff Rio Memorial Scholarship and said he embodied Rio. Austin Vreeland earned big cheers from the crowd when he accepted several scholarships from the SYHS Football Boosters and Most Valuable Male Athlete of the Year.

Below is a list of all the scholarship winners.

Most Inspirational Female Athlete of the Year: Brooke Redell

 Most Inspirational Male Athlete of the Year: Connor Epley

Most Valuable Female Athlete of the Year: Eliza Nash

Most Valuable Male Athlete of the Year: Johnny Jimenez

US Army Scholar/Athlete Awards

Blane Heming & Savannah Avery

US Marine Corps Athlete/Academic Awards

Distinguished Athlete Awards

·         Austin Vreeland

·         Madison Snow

Semper Fidelis Award for Musical Excellence

·         Nicholas Seaman

Scholastic Excellence Award

·         Abigail Mullin

US Air Force Academic Awards

Math Award

·         Clara Jones

Science Award

·         Westin Kelsey

Outstanding Academic Achievement

·         Tanner Shean

The post Local Students Earn Big During Scholarship Awards Ceremony at SYVUHS appeared first on Santa Ynez Valley Star.