BRIEFLY IN EDUCATION

Haylett dance classes offered at Legion Hall

No Square Community Theatre has announced that “Miss” Linda Haylett has joined their staff to teach her Tiny Tots Dance Program at their new home, the American Legion Hall, 348 Legion St.

Haylett has been training budding ballerinas for the past 10 years at the Laguna Beach Recreation Department, and now she is also offering classes through No Square. Her first session is March 2 through May 30.

Pre-ballet classes for children 18 months to 3 years old will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Combo dance classes featuring tap/ballet/Jazz are also available for kids age 3 to 5, mornings and afternoons Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

For exact times and pricing visit www.nosquare.org. Tuition may be paid quarterly or monthly and No Square offers family discounts. For more information, call (949) 873-8193.

YouthSpeak contest seeks kids’ speeches

The nonprofit OC Human Relations is inviting Orange County students in eighth to 12th grade to prepare a short speech on the importance of young people taking a leadership role in creating an equitable and just community. The winner will receive a cash award and an invitation to deliver their speech at Awards 38 on May 7 at the Grove of Anaheim.

A cash award with a value of $500 will be given to the student selected to speak at Awards 38.

The winner will receive personalized coaching from Sal Tinajero, Fullerton Union High School speech and debate coach, prior to delivering their speech at the event.

Two runners-up will each receive $100 gift certificates.

The three finalist’s speeches will be featured on OC Human Relations website.

The finalists will be invited to speak at OC Human Relations Walk In My Shoes Youth Conference.

To enter, a double-spaced, printed version of the speech must be submitted to OC Human Relations by 9 a.m. March 16. Three finalists will be chosen from among the written submissions. These finalists will deliver their speech at an OC Human Relations Council meeting at 6:45 p.m., April 9. The board of directors and Commissioners will select the winning entry. Contest details are available at www.ochuman relations.org or by e-mailing dave@ochumanrelations.org.

Young artists get Local Color through program

Top of the World Elementary students received hands-on education creating one-of-a-kind art through Local Color, a program where local artists provide materials and time.

Kindergartners to fifth-graders have created their own masterpieces with artistic mediums such as paint, clay, textiles “” and lots of glitter.

Tie-dye pillowcases, decorated tote bags, small canvas paintings, and personalized ceramic tiles were some of the art projects thechildren made during the recent workshop.

Michelle Sinclair and Krissy Sandvigen have organized the Local Color program for a couple years and are always impressed by what beautiful things the kids create.

“We’re fortunate to have the help of local artists like Doug Miller, Laurel Meister, Kelly Brennan and Sherrie Larsen. It’s been so great to see so much amazing creativity from the kids, they really enjoy this program,” Sinclair said.

All costs for Local Color are paid for by TOW’s PTA.

SchoolPower benefit dinner is Feb. 28

SchoolPower’s benefit dinner dance is Feb. 28 at Montage Resort & Spa in Laguna Beach. The “Mardi Gras at Montage” event will raise funds in support of the Laguna Beach Unified School District.

Organizers are excited about the new “Mardi Gras and Casino night” twist and promise a fun night of casino games, silent and live auctions, multicourse dinner with wine pairings, and dancing to local band, the Kooks.

To learn more about Dinner Dance tickets, watch SchoolPower’s new Music Video featuring principals, teachers, parents and students or donate to SchoolPower’s Community Campaign, go to www.lbschoolpower.org or call (949) 494-6811.

SchoolPower is a volunteer-based nonprofit organization whose mission is to raise money to enrich the education of all children in the Laguna Beach School District.