Funding Our Future

FUNDING OUR FUTURE: What Drives Bishop’s Financial Aid Program

By Keri Peckham

Following the resounding success of last year’s virtual auction, Bishop’s Auction saw another stellar response from our community at this year’s virtual livestream event.

When it came time to plan the Bishop’s Auction this spring, Auction Chair Cecilia Aguerre (Marina ’13, Alani ’14, Emilia ’18, Luken ’21) was ready to get to work to raise critical funds for the School’s Financial Aid Program. It helped having an experienced volunteer—Cecilia co-chaired Lumina MMX in Santiago Aguerre, Auction Chair Cecilia Aguerre, 2010—so she was very familiar Theresa Kneebone and Ron Kim with the importance of this fundraiser to Bishop’s.

With a virtual event, attendees were able to enjoy the evening with family and friends. They arranged their own safe gatherings, enjoying food from Giuseppe and signature cocktails from Snake Oil Cocktails, while Cecilia and her husband, Santiago, hosted a small dinner party for auction sponsors at their home.

Following a video of financial aid students’ letters to teachers who had a tremendous impact on their time at Bishop’s, auctioneer Clint Bell excitedly guided the paddle raise. Though we were unable to be together on campus, the end result was positive: The event raised approximately $850,000, which will go directly to the School’s Financial Aid Program for the coming year.

2021 AUCTION MAJOR SPONSORS & DONORS

GOLD STAR

Terri Lundberg & Arnie Whitman Michelle & Ryan Sit Stacia & Michael Balog

PLATINUM CIRCLE

Berenice & Jerry Blake Brian & Andrea Payne Marvin ’93

CHALLENGE GIFT DONORS

Anonymous—in memory of Jeffrey Teitelman ’90, son of former Head of School Michael Teitelman and his wife Marlene Cathy & Brad Geier Elizabeth & Dene Oliver Amy & Horacio Valeiras

LEAVING A LEGACY: Kim Cooper Retires

Bishop’s Director of Admissions and Financial Aid Kim Cooper, who is retiring this summer, has played a vital role in the success and growth of Bishop’s Financial Aid Program, having a positive impact on the School for years to come. Through her commitment to expanding the program, Kim provided the gift of a Bishop’s education to students from a wide variety of backgrounds, some of whom may never have known about Bishop’s if not for her invitation.

In Kim’s 10 years at Bishop’s, the School’s applicant pool and number of qualified applicants grew significantly as did the geographic regions and schools from which we have drawn. She felt great joy from this work and recognized its importance as it promotes the “richness of conversation and collaboration that make learning so exciting.”

With 20 percent of current students receiving financial aid (with an average grant of more than $26,000), the impact is found in the School’s student body. As Kim shared at the auction, “Financial aid empowers our admissions office to focus on students’ beliefs and values—and how they make contributions to our community and beyond.”

Kim’s legacy is clear as we watch Bishop’s students and alumni “making change in this world.” When Kim shared with auction participants that she is “forever grateful” for their gifts to the financial aid program, we felt sincere gratitude to Kim for running it so well for a decade. She will be missed!