Montezuma School to hold reunion and special events
Local broadcaster will be guest speaker
As they have done for the past 13 years, members of the Montezuma Foundation--composed of Montezuma Mountain School alumni--are sponsoring an annual end-of-summer gathering for former students, teachers and friends of the all-boys' school, which operated from 1911 through 1955.
The land and buildings, located off Bear Creek Road in the Santa Cruz Mountains, are now home to The Presentation Center, a nonprofit venue for retreats and conferences run by the Sisters of the Presentation, a Catholic order.
This year, the event takes place Aug. 17-19 and, as in previous years, the reunion weekend also serves as a sleep-away student leadership conference for members of the Junior Statesmen of America, both local and from out of state. Sponsored by the Montezuma Foundation, the conference's purpose is to pass on to today's youth the moral and ethical teachings of Ernest Andrew "Prof" Rogers, founder and headmaster of the old Montezuma school.
Rogers, along with his high school-age students, created the Junior Statesmen of America organization in 1934. It has grown to be among the largest student-run organizations in the United States.
Welcoming the Junior Statesmen on Aug. 17 is John R. Lloyd, president of the Montezuma Foundation, a nephew of Rogers and a graduate of the school. That same day, alumni will take the youths on a tour of the buildings and grounds.
On Aug. 18, alumni will meet for a continental breakfast at 9 a.m. outside the Hall of Memories, a building the Sisters of the Presentation have maintained as a mini-museum for photos, trophies, books and other relics of the Montezuma days. A business meeting commences at 10 a.m. The Junior Statesman will be busy that day as well, attending small group ethical dilemma discussions and workshops.
At noon, everyone comes together for a barbecue, followed by a program in the outdoor Redwood Grove. Bay Area TV journalist Rigo Chacon will be the guest speaker during the 1 p.m. program for Junior Statesmen and alumni, which also includes student speakers and the presentation of surprise awards.
The weekend concludes after breakfast on Aug. 19. Montezuma alumni interested in attending the event can make reservations with John Lloyd at 209.848.1992 or Donald Arnaudo at 408.354.4017. For more information about the Presentation Center, call 408.354.2346 or visit www.prescenter.org on the Internet.
Los Gatos, California Since 1881
