STARS News:
A newly-formed satellite group of the Rotary Club of Los Alamos called STARS (Service to All Rotary Satellite) will hold a fundraising event 4-7 p.m. Sunday, June 2 at the Dixie Girl Restaurant.
The theme of the event is “Are You Smarter than a Fourth Grader?” and all members of the community are invited to join. The evening’s events will include a trivia quiz competition that will be fun for all ages, as well as an all-you-can-eat pasta buffet with salad, drinks and dessert.
Funds raised at the event will benefit a program to provide four weeks of swim lessons to all fourth graders in Los Alamos Public Schools, a program that was eliminated several years ago due to budget cuts.
Tony Hinojosa, physical education instructor at Mountain Elementary School, has advocated reinstating the program. Thanks to his efforts, this year all Mountain fourth graders were given four weeks of swim lessons at the Aquatic Center. In a similar program funded by the Mountain PTA, Hinojosa took fifth graders to Pajarito Mountain for ski and snowboard lessons.
“I really enjoy seeing our kids getting out into the community and enjoying some of the wonderful activities it has to offer,” Hinojosa said. “Swimming and skiing are both lifetime activities that our kids can continue to enjoy as part of living a physically active lifestyle.”
This program came to the attention of the Los Alamos Rotary STARS, which as a group decided to assist with the cause. They hope to at least raise enough money to cover half of the cost and are looking for another organization to cover the remainder if necessary.
“One of the primary goals of STARS is to assist the community in starting or continuing programs that will have a beneficial impact on children,” explained Christina Kraemer, one of the founding members of STARS. “This program promotes both the health and safety of the children taking part in the swimming lessons. In doing this fundraiser, we hope to get enough support to allow all the fourth graders in the district to be able to take part in the program.”
“We would appreciate the community’s support for this worthwhile cause, and at the same time we hope to offer a fun and family-friendly evening for everyone to enjoy,” Kraemer said.
Local Quiz Master Taylor Guskey, who can be found each Thursday night at the Dixie Pub for the Geeks Who Drink trivia competitions, will also serve as Quiz Master for “Are You Smarter than a Fourth Grader?” Guskey is looking forward to making the competition fun for all ages. In addition to the trivia quiz, there will be a live auction and 50/50 raffle to raise funds for the cause.
The admission price includes a scrumptious buffet including jumbo ravioli, two kinds of lasagna, spaghetti, two kinds of salad, tres leches cake, tiramisu, sodas and ice tea. Beer and wine specials will be available. The cost is $25 for adults, $15 for teens and $7.50 for children. Kids under four are free. Tickets are on sale at Dixie Girl, CB FOX and the Chamber of Commerce.
The Los Alamos Rotary STARS is a group of motivated young Rotarians who are determined to fit community and international service into their busy lifestyles, while at the same time having fun! For more information about the group or to make a donation to this cause, contact stars@rotarylosalamos.com or go to www.facebook.com/RotarySTARS.
