The 10th Annual Averill Park Education Foundation Gala, held on November 13th at the Old Daley on Crooked Lake, was a truly amazing evening. This year's theme, "Reflections," celebrated a decade of recognizing community volunteers and educators who continue to make our school district a special place to send our children.
This sell-out event, with over 280 in attendance, was our most successful event to date. We want to thank the Old Daley for their continuing support and commend their incredible service and hospitality!
The creativity and diversity of the talented Averill Park students was showcased in an ARTWALK, an outstanding musical performance by the HS Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Michael Blostein, and a robotics demonstration.
The Live, Silent, and Lucky Bucket auctions were huge successes, drawing unique donations from a record number of local businesses that we want to thank for their support. We encourage everyone to patronize these generous local businesses throughout the year. Please visit the APEF EVENTS page for a complete list of donors and Honorary Committee supporters listed in the 2015 Gala Program.
The Foundation was pleased to honor James McPartlin as our 2015 Educator of the Year and the Ann Allen Cetrino & Family as our Community Honoree. We also recognized past Gala Honorees, including Stephen Beebie, Scott Bendett, Martha Bove, Janine Budesheim, Michael Cavotta, Ron Choquette, Tom Choquette, Leon Fiacco, Pilar Gemeinhart, Barbara and Paul Glasser, Ralph LaMontagna, Cherie Morizio, Chet and Karen Opalka, Mary Pat Wager and Gerald Zaffuts.
We are also proud to announce that since the Foundation’s inception, we have awarded over one hundred grants and scholarships to Averill Park students in all areas of the curriculum not covered by the school budget.
We are so very excited to carry this momentum forward. As we look at our Reflection, it is clear to see the ripple effect each of us has made in our small community, and most importantly, the positive differences these efforts have made in our students' lives. Let's continue this amazing support and energy into the next decade!