GA
Celebrating 5 Childhood, Co Educational
WELCOME HEADOFSCHOOLTOMMAIN
Dear RA|LP Community,
On behalf of the administration, teachers, and staff of Ridgefield Academy and Landmark Preschool, thank you for supporting our 50th Anniversary Gala. As we celebrate this milestone, we reflect on our preserved past and look ahead to a bright future. I am in awe of the dedication and commitment of those who came before us and built this incredible school into what it is today – and of those who currently work so earnestly to keep innovating and evolving for the next 50 years.
Tonight, we come together as a community to celebrate and raise funds for the benefit of all students of RA|LP. Your support allows us to expand our financial aid program, providing tuition assistance in addition to covering ancillary expenses that allow all of our students to fully benefit from everything RA|LP has to offer. With increased funding for this program, we aim to continue to foster a truly inclusive community that contributes to a welcoming and enriching learning environment, aligning with our mission and values. Exposure to a variety of cultures, opinions, and life experiences enables our students to broaden their worldviews and engage in meaningful social and cultural exchanges, fostering collaboration and enriching their overall educational experience.
Thank you for joining us this evening, for your donations of auction items and experiences, your event sponsorships, business advertisements, and for generously underwriting tickets to ensure our dedicated faculty can enjoy the evening as well. This night was made possible by all of you, as well as the Advancement Team, the RAPA Special Events Committee, and many faculty and staff volunteers who have devoted their time and talents to make this happen. Tonight is the culmination of their efforts to bring the community together in support of the school – and to have a lot of fun while doing so!
Thank you for all you do. I hope you enjoy the evening ’ s festivities!
Warm regards,
Tom Main Head of School
THANK YOU TOOURSUPPORTERS
Gold Sponsor
Diana and Marc D’Agostino
Isabel Lerer and Jordan Muraskin
Chelsea and Adam Thatcher
Family Sponsor
Tara and Max Axler
Diana and Marc D’Agostino
Kaye Hale and Douglas Malton
Carlos Manso and Roberto Redondo Leader
Deb and Scott Linke
Yuliya Jhanwar and Edu Morales Patron
Allison and David Alfano
Erin Corrigan and Mehdi Ali
Renea and Duncan Dayton
Lucy and David Heaton
THANK YOU TOOURSUPPORTERS
Individual Supporter
Miriam Filip and Jason Abrams
Catherine and Timothy Birch
Elaine and Kevin Cox
Sharon and Jerry Garavel
Leticia and Gustavo Orsatti
Alysa Wakin and Jim Siewert
Danielle and Philip Van Riper
Early Supporter
Jessica and Nicholas Aiken
Ludmilar Mesidor and Mark Albert
Amanda and Darrell Alfieri
Jeanelle and Michael Bickel
Marie-Antoinette and Dirk Boot
Nicole Peta Bradbury and Nick Bradbury
Tanya and Jeff Brogan
Jessica and Larry Brooks
Audra and Chris Cartelli
Jin Lee and Inkoo Chung
Tia Cibani
Anna and Michael Daher
Alison Davis
Mary and Drosten Fisher
Erin and Matthew Fliesser
Lauren and Christopher Geloso
Jenn and Stephen Giametta
Sarah and Jose Gontijo
Sara and Adam Haims
Amanda Starbuck Hanlan and Trey Hanlan
Samantha and Andrew Heller
Sarah and Robert Hendrick
Brittny and Damani Howell
Jenny Zhang and Vankosol Huang
Stacy and Ron Hynes
Joelle and Scott Krysa
Lorinn and Robert Leibrock
Nika Lauraitis and John Longstreet
THANK YOU TOOURSUPPORTERS
Early Supporter (Con’t.)
Kellen Brink and Jonathan Maloney
Claudia and Brian Morgan
Evelyn and Matt Morgan
Kelly Milton and Alex Morse
Katie-Jane and Daniel Murphy
Ann Grasing and Albert Naclerio
Daryl and Ira Noble
Tara and Chris Page
Desiree and Matt Palmisano
Pascal and Yafit Partouche
Alexa and Rodrigo Pessoa
Dove and James Quinn
Jaimie Mayer and Daniel Raiffe
Jessica and Vito Romano
Natalie and Mike Scully
Heather and Ron Senatore
Meg and Ben Smiles
Autum and Izak Smith
Elizabeth and Andrew Smolenack
Rachel and Joe Sondheimer
Reina Guzman-Soni and Prashant Soni
Elizabeth and William Tong
Kelly and Christopher Ullman
Lucy Bueti and Max Von Dietsch
Leah and Adam Wendel
Lindsay and Reed Werbitt
Yvette and Jonathan Wong
Andrea Alvarez and Jay Wright
Faculty & Staff Supporter
Nicole Peta Bradbury and Nick Bradbury
Alison Davis
Amy Lee and Evan Glisson
Yuliya Jhanwar and Edu Morales
Juliana and Courtny Osterling
Elizabeth and Andrew Smolenack
*List complete as of October 30, 2024
THANK YOU TOOURAUCTIONDONORS
The Black Family
Audra Cartelli
Pam Clasby
Larry Curry
The Dayton Family
Paul Desiano
The Garland Family - Patti, Bill, Will, and Lily
Danielle Getchell
Jenn Giametta
Hayfields Cafe & Florist
Sam Heller
Sarah Coldwell - Honeybee Grove Flower Farm
Brittny and Damani Howell
Ron and Stacy Hynes
The Krysa Family
Lorinn and Robert Leibrock
Beth MacInnes
Tom Main
Mayflower Inn & Spa
The Naclerio Family
Ridgefield Academy
Ridgefield Nail Bar
Ridgefield Playhouse
Katie Spiro
Jim Siewert and Alysa Wakin
Westchester Wine Warehouse
*List complete as of October 30, 2024
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
2024-2025
Rachel Sondheimer, Chair
Kaye Hale, Vice Chair
Jenny Zhang, Treasurer
Alexa Pessoa, Secretary
Mark Albert
Katie-Jane Bailey, RAPA President
Alex Bellina
Tim Birch, Honorary Trustee
Marc D'Agostino
Alison Davis
Drosten Fisher
Lynne Geaney
Robert Hendrick
Damani Howell
Tom Lasley
Stephanie Luedke
Tom Main, Head of School
Kelly Milton
Brian Morgan
Roberto Redondo
Chelsea Thatcher
Howard Turner, Honorary Trustee
AUCTION POLICIES
Live Auction
The Live Auction will begin at approximately 8:00pm and will continue until all items have been put up for bid or until otherwise specified by the Auctioneer. To bid, hold up your bidder number in view of the Auctioneer as bid progression is called. Please use only your bidder number. To be valid, your bid must be recognized by the Auctioneer and must exceed the minimum bid as specified. The highest bidder acknowledged by the Auctioneer shall be the winner of the item. In the event of a dispute, the Gala’s RA Representative shall act as the final authority to determine the winning bidder. Such decisions shall be final.
Silent Auction
The Silent Auction features unique experiences and items exclusive to Ridgefield Academy, generously donated by faculty, staff, and members of our community. These items are available to all families, regardless of whether they attend the Gala. Givesmart will facilitate the silent auction through an automated bidding process, allowing you to place bids anytime, from anywhere, during the designated bidding period. With Givesmart, you can bid, monitor items, and receive real-time alerts if you ' ve been outbid.
Bidding opens on Monday, October 26, at noon and will close on Saturday, November 2, at 10:00 PM. Please note that mobile bidding will not be available for the Live Auction or the Paddle Raise, but a “Donate Now” button will be accessible on your mobile device at any time.
PADDLE RAISE
At the conclusion of the Live Auction, Ridgefield Academy will host a paddle raise, offering attendees the chance to support our financial aid program. This initiative helps RA|LP provide an exceptional and inclusive educational experience for all students. The auctioneer will announce various giving levels, starting with the highest amount and moving to lower amounts. Attendees wishing to participate are asked to raise their bidder number when their desired giving level is announced. Spotters will record all bidder numbers and provide this information to our event accounting department for processing.
Available Giving Levels
$10,000
$5,000
$2,500
$1,000
$500
$250
PAYMENT & PICK-UP
Winners will be notified after the bidding period closes, and payment will be charged to the credit card on file. If you prefer to pay by check, please contact Jackie Fennell for further instructions.
Many items in our Silent Auction are Ridgefield Academy experiences. Gala organizers will notify faculty and staff members which families have won their respective experiences. You will coordinate with the donor to schedule your experience based on the timing outlined in the item description.
To pick up any physical items you ’ ve won, please contact Jackie Fennell to make arrangements beginning Tuesday, November 5.
Please note that all items in the Silent and Live Auction have been generously donated by businesses or individuals and are nonreturnable for exchanges or refunds. Be sure to review any item specifications and restrictions carefully.
LIVE AUCTION ITEMS
VIP Parking Spot for a Year
Secure one of the most coveted items at RA|LP your very own reserved parking spot for an entire year! Whether you ’ re attending a school event, running late for a parent-teacher conference, or just visiting campus, this parking spot will always be reserved exclusively for you. The spot is valid from November 2024 through November 2025, and you can choose a spot at either the Summit or Annex Building.
Opening Bid: $2,500
Players Championship for Two
Experience the excitement of one of golf’s most prestigious events! Often regarded as the unofficial "fifth major," the Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass is a bucket-list opportunity for any golf fan.
Package includes: Tickets for the final rounds on Saturday, March 15, and Sunday, March 16, 2025
A 3-night stay at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Dinner for two at Ruth's Chris Steak House
Opening Bid: $3,500
Seven Nights at Rancho Alegre
Indulge in a luxurious Costa Rican getaway at Rancho Alegre. This spacious 6-bedroom, 7.5-bathroom estate features a swimming pool and outdoor bar, offering ample space for up to 16 guests perfect for a group retreat. The property blends modern luxury with old-world hacienda charm, creating a unique and inviting atmosphere.
Enjoy on-site activities such as access to the Beach Club, multiple beaches, a golf course, mountain biking trails, horseback riding, tennis, and pickleball. Included with your stay are an SUV, a pickup truck, and a golf cart for easy exploration.
Location: Hacienda Pinilla Community, Guanacaste, Costa Rica (15 minutes south of Tamarindo)
Opening Bid: $4,000
Tw0 (2) Floor Seats – Jingle Ball '24
Start the holiday season in style with two (2) floor seats to the sold-out Z100 Jingle Ball on Friday, December 13, at 7:00 PM at Madison Square Garden.
Get ready for an unforgettable night of live performances by Katy Perry, Tate McRae, Twenty One Pilots, Teddy Swims, Meghan Trainor, The Kid LAROI, Madison Beer, Benson Boone, Gracie Abrams, Shaboozey, and NCT Dream.
This package also includes round-trip car service and exclusive Jingle Ball swag.
Opening Bid: $2,500
As we celebrate the past 50 years, we reflect with gratitude on our journey of growth, dedication, and unwavering commitment to the students who have made our community so special. Our mission to celebrate childhood, pursue excellence, and cultivate kindness has been the foundation of all we do, and it will continue to guide us into the future.
This milestone also reminds us of the importance of making our community accessible to all. We encourage you to generously support tonight’s gala, and in turn, the school’s financial aid program. Together, we can continue to provide a nurturing environment where every student has the opportunity to learn, grow, and become tomorrow ’ s leaders.
Thank you for your generosity, your support, and for being an essential part of this extraordinary community. Here’s to many more years of discovery, growth, and success.
With
gratitude, The RA|LP Board of Trustees
The Malton Family is proud to be part of this momentous occasion in RA|LP’s history. We invite you to join us in celebrating by generously supporting the school’s financial aid program, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to experience the same wonderful, student-centered, and joyful learning environment that we are so fortunate to enjoy.
RAPA is honored to be part of such a vibrant and supportive community. Through our shared commitment to nurturing and enriching the lives of our children, we continue to shape their educational journey.
Tonight, we come together not only to celebrate a milestone but also to strengthen the bonds that make our school so special. Let’s enjoy this evening together reflecting on our collective accomplishments and looking forward to an even brighter future for RA|LP and its families.
HONORING OUR PAST
Congratulations to Ridgefield Academy|Landmark Preschool on 50 incredible years of educational excellence. We are grateful for the challenging academics, dedicated teachers, and enriching experiences that prepare students for the future. Here’s to the next 50 years of inspiring students and fostering a lifelong love of learning!
~
Max, Tara, and Eleanor Axler
CELEB TINGOUR FUTURE
Congratulations to the RA|LP Community on 50 Years of Joyful Learning!
Marc & Diana D’Agostino
The Manso Redondo Family is thrilled to celebrate Ridgefield Academy|Landmark Preschool’s 50th anniversary, honoring the exceptional early childhood program that has been the foundation for so many young learners. Landmark Preschool’s commitment to joyful, nurturing, and student-centered education creates a lasting impact on our children’s lives, inspiring a lifelong love of learning.
Congratulations to the Class of 2025
Discover the next step in your family’s RA|LP journey! Current families with children entering Kindergarten through Grade 8 in Fall 2025 are invited to experience a morning at RA. Observe classes in session and join a student panel featuring voices from our Lower, Middle, and Upper Schools. Thursday, January 16, 2025 8:45 - 11:00 AM
Bring Along An Interested Friend! RSVP: ridgefieldacademy.org/admission/admission-events