Junior Statesmen alumni gather
The annual gathering of former students, teachers and friends of the Montezuma Mountain Ranch School is set for the weekend of Aug. 18-19 at the former school's site, now known as Presentation Center, located just southwest of Los Gatos on Bear Creek Road. The school was open from 1910 through 1955.
As they have done for the past 12 years, the members of the Montezuma Foundation sponsor a three-day student leadership conference, Spirit of "Prof," for members of the Junior Statesmen of America. These conferences are held to pass on to today's youth the moral and ethical teachings of E.A. "Prof" Rogers, founder and headmaster of the old Montezuma school.
Rogers, along with his high school-age students, also created the Junior Statesmen of America organization in 1934. It has grown to become the largest student-run organization in the United States, with more than 15,000 active members and 300,000 alumni.
Welcoming Junior Statesmen on Aug. 18 is John R. Lloyd, Montezuma Foundation president. Lloyd is Rogers' nephew and a former Montezuma graduate and teacher. Alumni will then take the youth on a tour of the buildings and grounds. That night, Sacramento-area broadcast and newspaper journalist Charles Duncan--who is also a theater actor--will be the guest speaker for an evening program.
After spending the night on campus, youths and alumni will get together on Aug. 19, to talk about the history of the Junior Statesmen and the Montezuma School. A session featuring award-winning veteran newscaster Rigo Chacon also takes place. Chacon reports for San Francisco's Channel 7 ABC News. Youths and alumni will enjoy a barbecue lunch.
For any members of the public interested in learning about the old school's history, the Montezuma Hall of Memories will be open on Aug. 19 to visitors.
For more information or for directions to the school, call 209.848.1992, or visit hometown.aol.com/MonteFoundation/index.html on the Internet.
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Los Gatos, California Since 1881
