MMS Juniors Venture to South Africa in June 2013
The African word “Sawubona” means “I see you.” Like the Mount Madonna School Class of 2012 did before them, the current juniors chose this name to represent their upcoming trip to South Africa in June 2013. This unusual learning journey will be about seeing and gaining a new understanding of people in a part of the world that is far different from the one in which we live. Early next summer, sixteen students from the MMS “Values in World Thought” program will leave for Cape Town, which is the first stop on this journey of a lifetime.
This year’s seniors will journey to northern India in March and April 2013. The trip is part of the School’s two-year “Values in World Thought” program, an innovative high school social studies curriculum developed by faculty member and trip leader Ward Mailliard. 
Braving wind, cold weather and at times rain, AP Biology students from Mount Madonna School (MMS) met researchers at Elkhorn Slough near Moss Landing last Friday to help count birds, including Great Egrets, Snowy Egrets, White-tailed Kites, Blue Herons, and godwits.
On a typical morning at Santa Cruz’s Natural Bridges State Beach, children and adults can be seen walking, playing and exploring the shore and sand along this scenic stretch of coastline. On Saturday, October 15, some 25 visitors to the beach were Mount Madonna School (MMS) students and parents taking part in LiMPETS (Long-term Monitoring Program and Experiential Training for Students), an environmental monitoring and education program for students and teachers and other volunteer groups..jpg)
“I left part of my heart in South Africa,” commented Mount Madonna School (MMS) senior Quincy Mitchell. “And in return it has given me a piece of its soul that I shall carry with me forever.” 
