Eighteen government officials, community leaders and educators from 12 countries in South America, Central America and the Caribbean Basin were on campus today to learn about school-based civic education programs.  The visitors spent nearly two hours with Jody LeFevers’ senior history students, hoping to gain a better understanding of democracy as practiced in the United States and of citizens’ involvement in their own governance. 

Helping students pursue natural highs and make healthy choices will be the focus of a special program for parents on Wednesday, October 3rd at 7:00 pm at the St. Michael’s Tipton Sports Center.  The evening is sponsored by parent education groups at Prep, St. Mike’s and the Santa Fe Indian School.

Developed by nationally recognized motivational speaker (and stand-up comedian!) Matt Bellace, “How to Get High, Naturally” empowers young people to be leaders in their lives and choose natural highs instead of chemical highs.  The program has been been described as the perfect combination of interactive demonstrations, inspirational stories and stand-up comedy and Bellace has built a reputation for being able to connect with kids, delivering useful information about substance abuse without lecturing.

Ballace earned his doctorate in clinical psychology from Drexel University, with a sub-specialty in child and adolescent neuropsychology.  He has more than 15 years of drug and alcohol prevention experience.  For more information about Bellace and his program, visit http://www.mattbellace.com

Upper School students spent three days camping in various locations around Santa Fe as part of Prep’s outdoor education program.  Ninth-grade students traveled to Wild Rivers Recreation Area near Questa for some flyfishing, hiking and mountain biking.  Tenth graders headed to the Manzano Mountains State Park for some hiking and a visit to historic ruins.  Juniors enjoyed hiking, fishing and ultimate frisbee at Panchuela Creek, and seniors held their annual retreat at Synergia in the Cerrillos hills.  The outdoor education program provides an opportunity for students and faculty to get to know each other outside the classroom and teaches our students important camping and outdoor skills.

Prep junior Austin Evans will show a collection of his photographs on Friday, September 14th from 6:30 to 8:30 pm at the Wild Angels Gallery on Canyon Road.  “The Ordinary is the Extraordinary” is a series of images taken by Evans in Santa Fe and northern New Mexico.  He find his inspiration from things he sees around him--lights on the dashboard, aspen trees, rusted road signs, and the facade of an old building.  Evans works digitally and has been taking photos since he was a child.  According to Wild Angels Gallery co-owner, Jane Larson, Evans has an extraordinary eye.  “I have rarely seen the kind of talent that Austin possesses at such a young age,” she noted.