Reno’ s Newest Student Ambassadors

Thirteen 5th and 6th grades students from the Greater Reno Area will be representing our nation as ambassadors of good will. The City of Reno will be represented by Will Garner and John Leuenhagen of Westergard Elementary School. The students are participating in the People to People Student Ambassadors Program.

Fifty years ago President Dwight D. Eisenhower established the The People to People Ambassador Program as a way to promote global peace by increasing cultural understanding.  President Eisenhower believed that it would be the ordinary citizens of a nation that would make  world peace a reality by understanding the cultural differences via direct communication and contact. He believed that the ordinary person, not the government, would be the foundation on which peace for all nations would be built.

This year the People to People Student Ambassador Program will be sending students from grade levels fifth through twelfth to Australia (elementary students), Japan (middle school students), and Europe (high school students).

Westergard Elementary student’s Will and John will be traveling to Australia where they will visit an Australian working ranch, learn about the Great Barrier Reef and visit Australia’s capital  of  Sydney.

This is not the first time students of Westergard Elementary have participated in the Program. Last year the school, Reno and the nation were represented by Katie Nemitz who traveled to Greece and Italy. Westergard believes very strongly in the program and its benefits for students. The school is working to make participation in the People to People Ambassador Program a school tradition.

To help the school and the students with the needed funds to participate in the People to People Ambassador Program ,  there will be a fundraiser tomorrow from 5 pm to 7 pm. Two cardio exercise classes will be held at the school. Double Diamond Athletic Club instructors will be instructing participants in two cardio exercise classes. The Body Combat class will be held at 5 pm. Body Combat is a martial arts inspired cardio exercise program. The second class, Body Jam will be a fun time, especially for dance enthusiasts. The cardio workout is a mix of exercise and the newest dance moves set to the sound of popular music. The cost for is only $10 per class or $15 for both.

For information on how you can particpate and all the various programs offered be sure to visit: People to People Ambassador Program for people of all ages

Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts

Add a little culture to your life by attending some very fine performances at the Pioneer Performing Arts Center .

Reno is known worldwide, for its bright lights and gaming. Reno has also developed a fine reputation as America ’s Adventure Place . The Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts provides visitors and residents alike with bright lights, pure entertainment and an adventure in sights and sounds.

The Pioneer Center was completed in 1968 and is the focal point of Reno ’s cultural activities. The Pioneer Center  for the Performing Arts is the official home of the Reno Philharmonic Orchestra, the Nevada Opera Association, A.V.A. Ballet Theatre, and Reno Concerts. In addition, the Pioneer Center hosts the Broadway Comes to Reno series each year.

The Pioneer Center serves the cultural interest of the people of Reno, Sparks and the outlaying rural communities of Northern Nevada. The Center hosts over 120 events each year.

The Pioneer Center also sponsors several youth programs, creating, inspiring and nurturing the love of the arts with various live performances and educational programs for the elementary-aged children in Washoe County and the entire Northern Nevada .

This Friday, the Pioneer Center will be hosting the Reno Irish Dance Company performance of “A Mystical Magical Celtic Christmas”. The performance should prove to be just what it’s name implies – mystical and magical. The guest artist will be Owen Barrington who toured with the renown RiverDance group and was declared this year’s Word Champion Irish Dancer. Reno resident Lauren Ashley Durant will play the lead girl in the story. Ryan Vettal, ( Carson City resident) who is only 11 years old, will thrill your hearts with his dance performances. Other featured performers include Sandra Hicks, Kimmy Scheible, Allison Bergr (all  Reno residents) as well as Adrian Bermudez ( San Francisco ).

The Pioneer Center is a true asset to our community and never fails to delight its audiences.

Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts Upcoming Events

Pioneer Center Youth Programs

Wanted: 100 Good Men

I came across an article in the RJG (Reno Journal Gazette) titled, “Wanted: 100 Good Men”. I thought I would share it with you.

Good men (and women) are needed to mentor young people in the Greater Reno-Tahoe area. ”Wanted: 100 Good Men”is a recruitment campaign to bring awareness for the need of more Big Brothers in the Big Brother/Sister  program.  

The campaign does not minimize the need for or the effect of women who participate in the Big Sister organization. Statistically and historically, women tend to volunteer more than men. The campaign has been directed to men for one reason: more men are needed as mentors.

There are more boys than girls waiting for a “Big”. ”Big” is the abbreviated name for Big Brothers and Sisters. ”Littles” refer to the youth who have signed up to participate. Currently, there are a total of 209 ”Littles” waiting for a “Big”, of these, 122 are boys. These kids not only need someone special in their life, but want someone special in their life. The Big Brother and Big Sister programs, “Bigs” and “Littles” are all voluntary.

We all know that this is a time of economic restrictions for many families. The wonder of the Big Brother/Big Sister project is, more than money, the organization needs men (Bigs”) who will give of their time. You do not have to be “well-to-do”, you just need to be willing to care and spend an hour or two a week with your “Little”.

Mentoring changes lives. Statistically, each of us directly impacts (changes) 100 lives in our life time. If this is true then for each life changed today, we will see and benefit from a 100 lives changed in the future. 100 Good Men multiplied by 100 “Littles” equals 10,000 changed lives; 10,000 multiplied by 10,000 equals 1 million. That is quite a legacy for just an hour or two a week. The organization’s motto “Little moments. Big Magic” certainly applies to this equation.

What are the qualifications for the Big Brother/Sister program? A willing heart and a background check.

Whether you live in the Reno area or elsewhere, please consider being one of the 100 good men and women needed.