LAPSF News:
Great Conversations is an afternoon of delicious appetizers, wine and desserts and conversations led by one of 12 interesting and knowledgeable leaders on a subject.
All of the conversation leaders are locally or regionally known and are volunteering their time to support K-12 public education in Los Alamos.
The event raises funds to support the professional development of teachers which is provided on an annual basis by the Los Alamos Public Schools Foundation. The sixth annual event is 2-5 p.m. Sunday, May 3 at the Betty Ehart Senior Center.
This is the second in a series of four articles about the planned conversations. Table 11 is full.
Details about all 12 speakers can be seen at: http://lapsfoundation.com/greatconversations.shtml
REGISTRATION FORM: http://lapsfoundation.com/docs/GC_invite15.pdf
“The LAPS Foundation is honored to provide Great Conversations as learning opportunity for our community,” LAPSF Director Joanna Gillespie said. “Attendees will find themselves feeling spoiled by the hospitality of the Foundation as well as the opportunity to enjoy an in-depth conversation, something that is all too infrequent these days.”
Reservations are first come, first served and are not complete until payment is received. The reservation deadline is April 30.
Table # 9Financial literacy refers to an individual’s ability to make informed judgments and effective decisions about the use and management of their personal financial resources. Everyone likes to talk about money, right? Cindy Rooney will help answer your many questions while you discuss how financial literacy is obtained. Each person must attempt to understand how the role of family, friends, religion, schools, government, and media is shaping our attitudes toward money. How is the overall economy impacted by financial decisions made by individuals and how different generations view financial matters? Rooney currently serves as Dean of Instruction at the University of New Mexico – Los Alamos. Rooney holds a Ph.D. in Accounting, is a licensed CPA and has taught numerous business and economics courses.
Table # 10Many fear public speaking more than death, but the Los Alamos Middle School Hawktalkers and Los Alamos High School Hilltalkers actually have fun with it. A National Board Certified teacher, Margo Batha has been teaching English at Los Alamos High School since 2007 and coaching local debaters for eight school years. Why would teenagers give up their weekends to compete in an activity that strikes intense fear into most people? Together with Coach Batha and some articulate Hilltalkers, you will pick up some public speaking tips, hear about the journeys of our high school speakers and debaters and learn why this activity is so addictive for more than 100 students. Batha has coached 29 National Qualifiers to the National Speech and Debate Tournament and three Qualifiers to the Tournament of Champions. In 2014, she was awarded her first Diamond Coach Award from the National Speech and Debate Association.
Table # 12What is art? Why do we create art? What is art’s purpose in our lives? The owner of Village Arts, Ken Nebel, is a lifelong resident of Los Alamos who has the good fortune to work solely in the arts locally. In a conversation on his favorite subject, you will explore definitions of what makes art and how definitions change over time. You will examine some examples of controversial art pieces in history. Village Arts is Los Alamos’ source for art supplies and custom framing, and directs the Fuller Lodge Art Center, which has supported the visual arts in Los Alamos since 1977 through exhibition, sales class, and visual art experience opportunities. Nebel holds a bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts with an emphasis in Illustration and a minor in Art History.
