GILMOUR ACADEMY CELEBRATES 75 YEARS AND SPOTLIGHTS THE OPENING OF THE LORRAINE AND BILL DODERO CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS

Gilmour Academy 75th Anniversary Gala was an evening to remember

Oh what a night! The stars certainly aligned for our 75th Anniversary Gala. After having to postpone the event three times due to COVID-19, the September 18 date was selected and planning commenced. As with the plans for everything else over the past year and a half, the logistics were tricky and required flexibility and perseverance.

Event chair Lorraine Dodero’s incredible leadership drove the event’s success. There was not a detail of the Gala with which she was not

involved. Her attention to detail is second-to-none as is her generous spirit, which inspired her incredible committee and resulted in a spectacular evening.

The sold-out event brought 550 people to campus for an evening under an enormous open-sided tent erected in the parking lot outside The Lorraine and Bill Dodero Center for Performing Arts. Guests enjoyed cocktails and hors d’oeuvres while browsing the incredible Silent Auction offerings, which included everything from Browns, Indians and Notre Dame tickets to a hot air balloon ride to artwork to

a Disney package complete with Parkhopper passes.

Once seated, guests were treated to a beautiful rendition of the alma mater by Taniya Dsouza ’20 and a blessing from Fr. John Blazek, C.S.C. ’58 before welcoming remarks from Board of Trustees chair Fred Botek ’85. Fred then introduced State Senator Matt Dolan ’83, who presented Head of School Kathy Kenny with a proclamation from the Senate recognizing Gilmour’s 75th anniversary. Kathy Kenny then thanked guests for being a part of the celebration and expressed her gratitude for event chair Lorraine Dodero, before welcoming Lorraine to the stage for remarks.

Lorraine shared her love for Gilmour and why she is so passionate about giving back and supporting the school years after her daughter, Corinne Dodero Salvador ’02, graduated. She thanked her event planner Mary Beth Lee of Jobee Inc. and Gilmour’s Advancement team, including Patti Pfundstein Miller ’85, who directed event planning on Gilmour’s end. She also expressed her gratitude to Host Committee chairs Frank Grk and Lisa Fazio-Grk and Dominic ’82 and Julie DiPuccio, and Silent Auction Chairs Lisa Swinarski and Sandra Ammendolia Treppo.

Kathy Kenny and Gala Chair Lorraine Dodero

The evening's emcees - Andy Baskin, of 92.3 The Fan, and Sara Shookman, of WKYC Studios - then welcomed Taniya Dsouza ’20 back to the stage for her reflection on what being a Gilmour graduate has done for her. This was followed by the Fund GA Together Paddle Raise and the Live Auction, which both yielded incredible support. Live Auction packages included floor seats for the upcoming Genesis concert, 14 tickets in a Browns luxury box, a Napa Valley trip, a week in Salt Lake City, the opportunity to play golf at two of Scottsdale’s most exclusive courses, a week in Vail, a week in Isle of Palms, and a day of sailing aboard a 50’ Hinckley Bermuda race boat!

After dinner, guests danced the night away to the sounds of the Bluewater Kings Band. In addition to being a wonderful opportunity to gather and celebrate as a community after so long, the 75th Anniversary Gala was a huge success, netting more than $600,000 for the tuition assistance program, student services and academic programming.

Thank you to all who were involved in the planning and to all who supported our efforts. It was an unforgettable night.

Opposite page. Top left: Mario '18, Frank, Lisa Fazio and Frank '14 Grk Bottom right: Mark '92 and London Young Left: Members of the boys basketball program helped serve food for the night

Taniya Dsouza '20

"I am a Gilmour graduate ... My name is Taniya Dsouza and I am a sophomore at Xavier University. I am a double major studying psychology and vocal performance, with a minor in biomedical sciences, putting me on the premed track.

I love to read books that change my opinions and try foods with names I can barely pronounce . . . I am a Gilmour graduate.

I am currently a soldier enlisted in the Army National Guard. I am the daughter of two of the strongest and kindest people - my mother and father - two immigrants who came to this foreign country - the country of opportunity - to pursue their dreams. I hope to be as brave as them as I grow up . . . I am a Gilmour graduate.

In the future, I hope to go to med school and become a doctor working in trauma care for the US Army . . . I am a Gilmour graduate.

And I am so thankful. During my years at Gilmour, I discovered who I am. I was surrounded by teachers and friends who truly cared about me, knew me and pushed me. I discovered I loved science and learning how the body supports our daily goals. I pursued my passion for vocal performance through singing at school Masses and events. I got involved in speech and debate. And I fell in love with medicine after taking AP Bio class with Dr. Turk and Dr. Goel . . . I am a Gilmour graduate.

When I look back on my time here at Gilmour Academy, I am grateful for all the opportunities I was able to take advantage of. I learned at Gilmour the importance of diving in, stepping out of my comfort zone and getting involved. And now, I’m doing that at Xavier as well. I arrived at Xavier confident, prepared and knowing that I have a responsibility to give back. I am ready. Because I am a Gilmour graduate."

Thursday Night with the Pops!

The Thursday night before the Gala, event sponsors were invited to a special VIP reception featuring The Cleveland Pops Jazz Ensemble. Sponsors and their guests gathered at The Lorraine and Bill Dodero Center for Performing Arts for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres before heading into the theater for a private concert with the Pops.

Conductor Carl Topilow and his ensemble delighted guests, including Cleveland’s new bishop, The Most Reverend Edward Malesic, J.C.L. with a set list that included hits ranging from “Cleveland Rocks” to A Chorus Line’s “What I Did for Love” to “Sweet Caroline.”

Clockwise: Bishop Malesic delivers a blessing; Lorraine and Bill Dodero; Fr. John Blazek, C.S.C. '58 presents Lorraine Dodero with an honorary Gilmour Medallion; members of The Cleveland Pops Jazz Ensemble perform