As it marks the school’s 75th anniversary, this Saturday’s Diamond Gala will substantially benefit every student in the school. Typically raising approximately 80% of the Parents’ Association annual budget, the Gala makes possible all of our field trips, all of our assemblies, all of our physical education and athletics budget, and all of our outdoor education trips. The auction also funds substantial CSPA contributions to the library, the endowment fund, and the financial aid budget. In addition, it underwrites each student’s school opening supply packet and our Holiday Breakfast, Family Fun Night, Dorothy Andrew Day picnic, and Upper School musical. The transformational potential of the Gala and other CSPA events can be seen in this year’s purchase of all our new, state-of-the-art Apple computers, made possible by a few years of very successful events.
While tickets only cover the cost of the event itself, generous bids, item donations, “fund-a-need” contributions, raffle ticket purchases, sponsorship, and advertising are what make these special hallmarks of a Country School education possible. Thus the event merits -- and needs -- each parent’s strong support. If you can’t be there, please check out the auction’s website at www.countryschoolgala.org for ways you can still be supportive.
In addition to all of the wonderful live and silent auction items to benefit our children, there will be several items whose proceeds will go directly to support relief efforts in Haiti.
A tremendous amount of energy, planning, hard work, creativity, and generosity have been dedicated to ensuring the success of this year’s Gala. I would like to thank in advance the following people for their extraordinary commitment to making the event possible:
- our dynamic and totally dedicated chairs Diane Francis and Talli Oxnam;
- live auction chair Emilie Joshi;
- silent auction chair Rhonda Thomson;
- and these committee chairs -- Audra Beane (ticket sales and seating); Jenny Benson (program); Alicia Calderon (decorating); Wendy Denny (advertising); Robin O’Donoghue (tuition raffle); Karin Osborne (thank yous); Geoff Oxnam (closing); Tim Paris (tabulations and website); Christine Parish (publicity and quilt); Annie Raymond (set up); Beth Spurry, Anne Petosa, and Matt Mason (Wall of Wine); Jamie Summers (Bubbles & Baubles); Rebecca Thompson and Gina Brent (quilt);
- Parents’ Association President Allison Satchell;
- and all of our dedicated committee members.
I want to thank you on behalf of our children for your extraordinary support of their education and our Diamond Gala.