Incline Village Schools

Graduation: 4 p.m. June 11, 2009 in the school's gym

Valedictorian: Aziza Seykota

Salutatorian: Frank Mascarich

81 graduates:

Jitana C. Alba, Jennifer Patrice Andrews, Kyle James Bahneman, Citlali E. Barajas, Eric M. Baumann, Brianna K. Berndt, Haley R. Bissell, Chelsea E. Bolton, Caitlyn R. Brown, Ruben A. Camacho, Maria Magdalena Castillo, Jonathan M. Chang, Jill Elizabeth Colbert, Rebecca L. Corpuel, Alexandra M. Costalupes, Charlotte K. Dillard, Ashley Captola Donaldson, Colum Patrick Donovan, Kevin P. Donovan, Thomas Edward Dougan, Gregory D. Dreyer, Jackson C. Elley, Tracy Estrada, Gwendolynn Ann Ewasko, Jennifer Megan Falk, Cody James Feldman, Robert J. Feliciano, Shawn Daniel Fincham, Sierra L. Foos, Emily Fragoso-Sanchez, Blake J. Frizzelle, Dulce Garcia, Steven Jay Gard, Dylan William Glasgow, Eduardo Gonzalez, Jordan M. Graham, Nels G. Hansen, Sergio Heredia, Joseph A. Hill, Justin M. Holets, Ariel Marie Holten, Aric Aleksandr Horst, Lindsay A. Iida, Micah Stephen Johnson, Sarena A. Joseph, Shane A. Knopf, Stephen J. Krueger, Chalese Marie Larson, Ryan L. Lebard, Kerrigan C. Leijon, Jonathan Joseph Mandio, Frank William Mascarich, Cassie L. McGinty, Melina Mendieta, Irma Meza Mendoza, Cody Mitchell, Karen S. Noriega, Karina V. Noriega, Sara B. Norris, Charlene M. O'Connor, Megan Frances Peterson, Michelle L. Plastiras, Mitchell L. Powell, Orlando D. Quiroz, Rachel M. Riva, Francisco Javier Rodríguez, Lidia Karina Rodríguez, Jennifer Michelle Romero, Luis Fernando Salazar, Luis Sanchez, Amie J. Serrano, Aziza Seykota, Bryan W. Smevik, Frank J. Tatantino, Rosa Isela Valdovinos, Peet C. Van Kruyssen, Rita Faye Vanbriesen, Victoria Christina Vinson, Riley John Warren, William Robert Wilson, Austin W. Young.

Hearing the name Dave Zaski may not ring a lot of bells with Incline's students.

Say ‘Fireman Dave,' though, and the group will know exactly who you're talking about.

Zaski, after nearly 30 years of service to the North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District, most notably as the public education representative in the schools, retired May 20.

For many of those years Zaski, 51, ran the public education program, teaching Incline's students to stay low when they are in a room filled with smoke, not to play with matches (they're tools, Zaski said) and how to use the 9-1-1 system.

“My first chief had a philosophy, it's just as noble to prevent a fire as it is to suppress one, and that's something I've tried to pass on to the kids,” Zaski said.

He said he takes particular pride in seeing some of those students become firefighters, and, sometimes, his eventual supervisor, as was the case with Ryan Sommers, a battalion chief with the NLTFPD, and Brett Jacobsen, an engineer with the district.

“I was really proud of Ryan — seeing someone I've known since he was a kid come in here and promote to BC, that was a really cool moment,” Zaski.

Sommers, who didn't take Zaski's fire prevention class but remembers the firefighter as he grew up, said Zaski had a positive effect on his career.

“His mentorship helped me a lot through my career,” Sommers said. “I know that was something he liked to do and took great pride in, it was significant for me.”

Zaski, after all these years and the many students and young firefighters he's seen come and go, said he looks back on his career as “the best job in the world.”

His odyssey through the fire district started, strangely enough, just blocks away from the brand new Station 11 at Incline's 76 gas station.

In 1978 Zaski drove to Incline from his hometown of Toledo, Ohio, to live with an uncle and try a different lifestyle.

As he pulled in to buy gas, a NLTFPD staff firefighter noticed a volunteer fire sticker on the back window of Zaski's ride and said the fire district could always use a few more volunteers. The idea sounded good to Zaski, he recalls, and he signed on with the district.

To make some money while he served as a volunteer Zaski worked in the rental shop at Ski Incline, now Diamond Peak.

He was hired as a firefighter in 1980, and became involved in the public education aspect of the job right away.

“I'd always had an interest in public education, so the fire marshal at the time sent me to train in Washington, D.C., and when I got back he handed the program over to me,” Zaski said.

He took the program from a very basic fire-safety class in Incline's preschools to the elementary schools and beyond.

“We used to average about 10 juvenile fires per year,” Zaski said. “Now we'll get one only occasionally and average pretty much zero, that's something I'm proud of.”

Zaski's work with the public education programs is something which Chief Mike Brown views as an extremely valuable contribution.

“Dave was an example for the community, not only for the children, but he also established a lot of public education programs in neighboring cities and communities,” Brown said. “Dave is one of your most committed and ideal firefighters. He was always an educator and a good mentor, he instills the values of the fire service in everyone he meets.”

Eventually the program expanded to include ridealongs for teens interested in the firefighting profession.

He said over his years the technology of firefighting changed greatly, as the focus of the NLTFPD changed from structure fires only to wildland fires.

“From a wildland aspect we've changed a lot, when I started we never went to wildland fires — now it's a major focus,” Zaski said.

He said a rewarding aspect of responding to those out-of-area wildfires is the thanks firefighters receive when they successfully evacuate a neighborhood, keeping residents out of harm's way.

But, after 30 years in the business, Zaski said he wanted to retire on his own terms.

Brown said that while Zaski left, he also left a legacy in the public education field and through the many young firefighters he mentored.

“I always told myself I wanted to leave happy, healthy and on top of my game,” Zaski said.

He had visions of fishing, spending time with his family and enjoying the good retired life, Zaski said, before North Tahoe Fire Protection District in Tahoe City came calling.

The neighboring district — which covers half of the West Shore, the area between Tahoe City and Kings Beach and up to Squaw Valley Road — offered a part time job as a public information officer and overseeing a chipping crew.

“I just thought it'd be a new challenge and I was ready for it,” Zaski said. An attractive aspect of the job is that Zaski gets to mentor young firefighters again on the chipping crew. “I'm really enjoying the fact that I get to help them figure out what they want to do with their firefighting career.”

Meet Fireman Dave

Name — Dave Zaski
Age — 51
Family — Wife Kim, sons Dave and Mark
Quotable — “It's weird seeing guys I've had in my classes, had out on ridealongs as teenagers, getting fire jobs and working with them. Ryan Sommers went from a kid I knew through those programs to being my boss these last few years.”

Ten Washoe County high schools were ranked among the top 1,500 in the nation on the "Challenge Index" list, published annually by Newsweek magazine.

Wooster High was ranked 239; McQueen, 673; Galena, 859; Reno, 956; Incline Village, 1,003; Sparks, 1,058; Reed, 1,354; Hug, 1,369; North Valleys, 1,384; and Coral Academy of Science, 1,478 (a district-sponsored charter school).

The ratings were devised by Washington Post education writer Jay Mathews.

Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy fun family movies outside at Aspen Grove! The night will begin with a simple BBQ dinner and drinks. When the sun goes down and the stars come out, you can sit back and enjoy our special feature. Please register online at www.inclinerecreation.com or call us at (775) 832-1310 to make a reservation.

Time: BBQ begins at 7:00 pm

Fee: $10/person or $35 for a family of 4

Location: Aspen Grove Community Center

Day: Thursdays

• June 18th - Madagascar 2
• June 25th  - WALL-E
• July 23rd - Kung Fu Panda
• July 30th - Horton Hears a Who

One day. One night. One community.  The Relay For Life® is about celebration, remembrance, and hope. “As the luminaria light up the night, it is so painfully clear why we are here, and why we need to continue to raise money for cancer research, education, advocacy and service.”

The American Cancer Society Relay for Life offers the opportunity to remember people who have lost their lives to cancer and honor those who have won their battle.   The Relay for Life is a 15 hour (overnight) event that brings together teams from local businesses, schools, churches and families for fun, food, music and entertainment.  This year’s event celebrates 25 years of hope since the Relay got its start in 1985. The Incline Village 2009 Relay for Life Event will be held July 24, beginning at 4PM through July 25, 7AM, at Preston Field, 700 Tahoe Boulevard, Incline Village, NV 89451.

One of the most moving aspects of the Relay for Life Event is the Luminaria Ceremony of Hope.   As the sun sets over campsites and darkness falls, the night is brightened by the glow of illuminated bags called luminaria.   Some celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer and have lived to tell their stories. Many remember the lives of those who have been lost to this disease. All represent someone special who has been profoundly affected by cancer and the family and friends who continue to fight back in their honor.

If you would like to honor someone with a luminaria during the Relay for Life, you may purchase, for $10/each, online (www.relayforlife.org/inclinevillagenv) or at the following venues (all locations in Incline Village unless noted; * indicates 10% discount on merchandise purchased when the customer purchases a luminaria): Wells Fargo, Potlatch, Nails by Cheri at Serendipity Salon, Incline Village Community Hospital, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza, *Dress the Part(y), DWR/Parasol Building, Raley’s at the Camera Counter, IVGID Administration offices, The Incline Recreation Center, The Chateau, The Mountain (golf) Course, The Public Works offices, Jai Yen (Kings Beach), Rainbow Printing, Village Square Family, *Blu Boutique, *Seasons, and Incline Outfitters.  If you would like to personalize your luminaria, you are free to do so - please drop off your luminaria, by July 23rd, back at the place of your purchase.

For more information for the Incline Village Relay for Life and to register to participate, please contact Dick Randall, (775) 831-0784, pastor@inclinechurch.org or visit www.relayforlife.org/inclinevillagenv.

The American Cancer Society is the leading nationwide community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy and service. For information about Relay for Life or about cancer, call toll-free anytime 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit the American Cancer Society Website at www.cancer.org.

We cordially invite you to Fashion Camp at The Summit –

The premiere destination for fans of fabulous fashion. From Accessories 101 to the art of dining, Fashion Camp will teach you all you need to know about fashion and more. Plus, Isha Casagrande, fashion editor of RLife Magazine will even help you find a style that makes you smile. Hot hints and cool prints, it’s like fashion week in Paris, a Hollywood makeover and a formal dinner party all rolled into one.

More information and registration.

Dear Golf fore Education Supporter,

Golf Fore Education's 2009 tournament is coming soon.  This year we have two exciting days of golf and a community party/barbeque to kick-off the 4th of July holiday!

June 27th

• 8:30 am -- Shotgun start at Incline Village Mountain Course
• 5:00 pm -- Barbeque with a live and silent auction - Party with live music and dancing at Diamond Peak Lodge.

June 28th

• 1:30 pm -- Shotgun start at Incline Village Championship Course
• 6:00 pm -- Post play awards celebration and reception

Sign-up as an individual golfer or as a team by visiting our web site at www.GolfForeEducation.com or call 775-298-0101 or 775-843-4637 if you have questions.

Check out some of the first class auction items that we will have this year by going to http://www.purplewave.com/cgi-bin/pwdetails.cgi?090627 or look at a few examples below.  Remember that all bids and golf expenses will go towards supporting and improving education in our community.

Sincerely,

John Clark, Principal, Incline High School
Kathleen Watty, Principal, Incline Elementary School

Our vision is to enrich our community, secure its future, and promote excellence through education.

Live Auction Items - unique and creative to match your interests:

• One week in a Mayan village in Belize, Central America -- Off the beaten-path in a small Mayan Village of Northern Belize. Close to the Barrier Reef, Maya Ruins, Rain Forest, and the Mexican Riviera.  Home sleeps eight - special arrangements for food and tours can be made as a separate package.  Home owner lived in Belize for 17 years and is available to help you plan your trip.
• Dinner for Eight -- Tasting menu at Baxter's Bistro and Lounge in North Star Village.  Chefs Mark Estee and Michael Plapp will pair a special menu with wines from sommelier Joseph Nase.
• Live Rock and Roll Band (Tahoe, the Band) -- Mark Yori, Dan Yori, and Chuck Swing.  This is a fun band, great for a party, reception.  Come and listen to them at our barbeque Saturday, June 27, 2009, 5:00 pm at Diamond Peak Ski Lodge.
• Personal Chefs for a Night - The two principals from our Incline schools, the General Manager of IVGID, and the Executive Director of Project MANA (somewhere in there are two trained chefs, one from the famous Cordon Bleu School of Culinary Arts), will come to your home and cook a four course meal for your dinner party.  Limit to a party of 12.  We will supply the food and do the work, you supply the wine.

Silent Auction Items - a wide variety of items, everything from golf packages to Spa packages:

• Gift baskets
• Gift certificates
• Art work
• Hotel stays