around LA
Scholarship Fundraiser a Huge Success
viewers on a journey from early 19th-century LA through the present. Just before the live auction portion of the night began, a five-minute video was shown, featuring interviews with students, teachers, parents, and alumni, all speaking about the myriad activities that take place behind the scenes at LA. The video, six months in the making and graciously donated by one of our parents, ended with a message from Tim Armstrong ’89 asking everyone in the audience to enjoy the evening and support LA. You can watch the video at http://lacademy.smugmug.com/LAPictures 2011-2012/videos.
The 2011 Parents’ Association spring gala, Behind the Scenes at LA, was a spectacular night for the entire Lawrence Academy community and netted nearly $200,000. It was the most successful scholarship fundraiser in the history of Lawrence Academy and drew 300 parents, alumni, trustees, past parents, and friends of LA.
A huge thank you and congratulations to our entire Celebrity Auctioneer Billy Costa, KISS 108 parent community and particularly to our outstanding co-chairs, Debbie Barnes (Eric ’13) and Deb Sarkis (Zach ’11). Debbie and Deb began working on this event in June 2010, with the intention of creating a truly magical night to showcase what goes on “behind When celebrity auctioneer Billy Costa from KISS 108 and the scenes” at Lawrence Academy. Their intention became realNECN’s TV Diner took the stage for the live auction, the energy ity as the gala included fantastic entertainment, excellent food, in the room skyrocketed and the bidding began in earnest. and a fabulous array of auction items. The Stone Athletic Center was magically transformed into a dinner theatre. The evening began with a silent auction and continued with a magnificent dinner created by LA’s own dining services manager, Kurt Cassidy, LA’s executive chef, Phil Kuns, and the entire talented dining staff.
A heartfelt thank you to all of the generous donors and to everyone who came together to make Behind the Scenes at LA such a success. One parent remarked, “It says a lot about our community when we come together and show our love and support for our school and our students.”
On display in the silent auction area were a number of pieces of student artwork, and during dinner, guests were entertained by the LA jazz ensemble and the a cappella group, SLACS. Also during dinner, a slide show called “Through the Years” took
Planning is already underway for the 2012 fundraiser. If you would like to be involved, please contact Hellie Swartwood at 978-448-1577 or hswartwood@lacademy.edu.
Nicole Kelly (Kevin ‘12, Madeleine ‘14), Peg Bernhardt (Chris ‘13), and Amy Bullard Davies (Annabelle ‘14)
Henry Sarkis (Zack ‘11), Dana and Tracy Stocks (Bryce ‘11)
ACADEMY JOURNAL / FALL 2011
7
Trustee Greta Donahue P ‘98 and Peter Nordberg
