August 2024
Dear Liga MAC Family
What’s Happening at Liga MAC:
The Liga MAC Learning Centre is proving to be more than just a building where classes are conducted. It is truly a centre of learning, a place where community comes together and a location to celebrate our accomplishments. Our profile this month relates the Liga MAC’s support programs’ special closing ceremonies held on July 6 at the Learning Centre with presentations by facilitators and students for invited guests.
The thorough Liga MAC student support program application and selection process has been completed and we share the outcome for two families we highlighted at the beginning of the registration process in May.
With school starting again in a matter of weeks, Liga MAC’s programs get a quick review and upgrade in preparation for this year’s slate of support program students.
Although still a few months away from the return of our seasonal volunteers, Liga MAC volunteer organizing committees have been planning several events for which you will want to SAVE the DATE!
Student Support Program Profiles: School Year Celebrations
Organized by Liga MAC staff member and Co-ordinator of Educational Programs, Maguie Martinez, Liga MAC’s student support programs’ yearend celebration took place on July 6 at the Learning Centre. In addition to students, their parents and teachers, invited guests included Querencia Foundation Executive Director, Gaby Almada; Community Partner Del Cabo Events Manager of Human Resources Francisco Valverde and Marketing Director, Juan Jose Del Río; Liga MAC Board of Director, Julián Pontón; and Liga MAC Volunteer Committee members Fran and Steve Shields and Dick and Linda Myers.
Celebration highlights included the address from Valeria Zamora Roldán (see November update), a 5 year veteran of the student support program, who was selected as the co-valedictorian of her school year (she tied for highest GPA). Valeria declared that Liga MAC was more than a scholarship, it was a “second home” for her and that Liga MAC programs helped her “get out of (her) comfort zone”. During the pandemic, she was thankful for Liga MAC’s comprehensive support for her and her family. Liga MAC’s tutoring program which began as a result of the pandemic, introduced Valeria to the world of reading and Liga MAC’s ESL (English as a Second Language) program opened the door to learning about other people and cultures.
Gris del Valle, facilitator and head instructor of Liga MAC’s Spanish and Mathematics Tutoring program, acknowledged the 100+ participants in her program and how their accomplishments helped boost their self-esteem. Thirty students of the program were singled out for their exemplary attitude and achievements.
The afternoon was capped off with refreshments provided by the families and group photos that included attendees.
Student Support Program Registration – Completed!
Student support program applications were reviewed and acceptance exams and interactive orientations scheduled for shortlisted students. The final step was a family interview with Liga MAC staff to verify financial eligibility and to ensure that parents understand the extent of their required involvement in the program.
Once all the conditions were met, families were issued with vouchers for school uniforms and shoes. Liga MAC staff are particularly proud of the fact that they are able to issue vouchers close to the end of the school year so that Liga MAC students will be able to make their purchases immediately and not have to wait until the supplies are limited closer to the start of school.
The Liga MAC school year of 2024/25 includes:
- Grade 7 – 47 students
- Grade 8 – 47 students
- Grade 9 – 40 students
- Grade 10 – 44 students
- Grade 11 – 43 students
- Grade 12 – 43 students
- University – 26 students
- Total = 290 students
Ten openings remain and staff continue to review applications and interview families to bring us to a full complement of 300 students.
Registration Insight: A Tale of Two Families
Application submission #1
In May, single mother Ana heard about Liga MAC’s student support program and requested an application for her twin daughters who will enter Grade 10. As mentioned in May there were limited student support program positions available for Grade 10 students not already in the Liga MAC system. The main hurdle to contend with however was beyond Liga MAC’s control: the availability of high school classroom seats. Space in Los Cabos high school classrooms is extremely limited and hotly contested. However, the twins by virtue of their high school admittance exams were able to acquire positions in Ceycet 04 high school.
Liga MAC requires shortlisted applicants to participate in an orientation and interactive seminar. Students are asked to perform group tasks and are evaluated by teachers from Centro Pedagógico del Valle and Liga MAC staff. Their group activities test their respect for others, personal performance, co-operation and participation, ability to work with others, sociability and attitudes, and division of labour. Lastly, students and their families are interviewed by Liga MAC staff where so much can be gleaned from one on one conversations that allows Liga MAC to better understand the family’s needs.
In this case, it devolved that the family was in need of psychological trauma counselling. Since their initial interview in May, Ana has found temporary employment which allows her to receive IMSS medical insurance and treatment for her lupus. She is also working as a tutor from her home. The family currently share a rented casita provided by another family member. With all the elements checked off the list of requirements, Liga MAC was happy to admit both girls into the Liga MAC student support program.
Application submission #2
As a student entering Grade 8, the requirements facing Camila Guadalupe and her family were fewer than a student entering high school. She was required to:
- Submit an application complete with school grade transcripts
- Write a Liga MAC entrance exam
- Participate in the Liga MAC orientation and interactive seminar
- Participate in a family interview and provide evidence of financial need.
Unfortunately, Camila’s admittance test results and interactive seminar results were extremely low. Her paperwork was completed well and in a timely fashion and her personal presentation was good, but her test results eliminated her from proceeding to the personal interview. The good news for Camila is that if she is able to improve academically, she will be considered for next year’s student support program application process.
And so it begins…
Official school intake begins on August 26. However, for Grade 10 (freshman year) and 1st year university students, a two week preparation course begins on August 12. Each school organizes its own preparation course and provides a “refresher” handbook. The reason for this extra workload lies in the fact that the dropout rate between Grade 9 and 10 is approximately 20% and the education system is hoping to rectify the situation. In the case of ITES university, the final list of accepted students is not released until after the results of the preparation courses. A lot is riding on these two weeks of review!
Student Support Programs Preparation
Based on last year’s results, Liga MAC staff member and facilitator of the Self-Esteem and Social Skills Workshop for Grade 7 students, Consuelo Espinosa, will ramp up her program to extend for a longer period and include more confidence building exercises. Consuelo found that the current crop of students whether because of the pandemic lock down or other influences, were withdrawn and did not communicate well.
Meanwhile, Mathematics and Spanish Tutoring classes will be revamped to include more team based sessions incorporating interactive and fun learning options with an emphasis on raising self-esteem.
Our Agents of Change program is receiving a complete makeover. Previously outsourced to a third party, Liga MAC staff have designed a new independent program to develop leadership and communication skills and promote confidence and self-esteem. Students will be required to work together on a year-long community project of their choosing.
An exciting new concept for Liga MAC students will reward their achievements with group field trips. Yet to be finalized but being considered are field trips to the Museum of Modern Art in La Paz, a visit to the historic mining towns of El Triunfo and San Antonio or possibly an ocean or desert based trip. Stay tuned…
Volunteer Activities and Events
World Wide Technologies PGA Golf Tournament
The success of last year’s first PGA tournament in Los Cabos has prompted World Wide Technologies to again sponsor the tournament at Diamante Golf Course, November 6 – 10, 2024. Liga MAC has also pledged to provide volunteers again this year. If you are interested in volunteering for Liga MAC at the WWT PGA tournament please contact Maria Lindenberg at sjdmena@gmail.com.
Knick Nac Golf Tournament at Querencia Golf Course
One of Liga MAC’s most successful and enduring fundraisers, the Knick Nac Golf Tournament at Querencia Golf Course, will return this fall on December 2, 2024. It’s our 15th annual golf tournament so Save the Date for this sell out fundraiser. Details will be announced in the coming months.
Tacos, Tostadas & Tequila
Back by popular demand is our relaxed, casually fun Tacos, Tostadas & Tequila fundraiser on January 29, 2025. The event will once again be staged at Baja Luna and will be inclusive of gourmet signature tacos, adult beverages and live music under the stars. More details to come…
Parting Comments
As preparations are made for the coming school year, there is a permeating atmosphere of contentment and pride throughout the Liga MAC Learning Centre. Students, facilitators, staff and volunteers feel the shift in attitude and permanency. Our programs now have a home, our students have a base, and our staff are able to conduct their daily business in a professional setting with confidence and security. With each of our 27 years, Liga MAC volunteers and donors have helped to advance Liga MAC’s capacity to help those in need in San Jose del Cabo. It is important to remember our humble roots when we review with pride what we have collectively achieved. Thank you to all our volunteers and donors past, present and future!
With immense gratitude,
Maria Lindenberg, President
Liga MAC Board of Directors
Post a comment