Tue, May 6 3:07pm
Hi Everyone!
After a week that included a few surprises (Shed-plosion 2025), we had some much-needed fun reliving last week's lively, love-filled weekend—we dug into the fun photo booth pics and crunched the numbers, and we've got some breaking news for ya!
First off, wow, what a crowd. More than 200 folks from our Lafayette community packed the Pomeroy Center. We had grandparents and alumni and even a few incoming families for 25/26. We actually had to add extra tables and scramble for more tablecloths last minute (Praise be to Cost Plus World Market). But seeing every chair filled, and so many of them with our beloved teachers, was our number one indicator that the night was already off to a good start.
During the pre-dinner hour, guests sipped welcome bubbles, pulled mystery bottles of (really good) wine from the Wine Pull organized by Serene Wetzel, stocked up on raffle tickets from Sarah Katz, Kristen Coleman and Rowena Tong and flocked to the photo booth. A playlist curated by David Klein (numero uno) set the vibe. The costumes were on point: We had jellyfish, pirates, mermaids, dolphins (obvi) and even a Jimmy Buffet super fan. Check out all the photo booth pics right here!
Everyone filled their plates from the stocked taco bar from Celia's By The Beach, salad from The Art Bistro, and spring rolls from Tsing Tao, then took their seats just in time for the first surprise performance. The West Coast Lion Dance Troupe shook the room with their drums and high-energy lion dance, and featured Lafayette's very own Isaiah lie (3rd grade) and ended with a shower of shredded lettuce to bring all the good fortune our way. We then kicked off the live auction, which was as spirited as an off-track betting parlor. Winners walked with prizes including a private screening party at the Balboa, a trio of wine country weekend getaways, a magical sunset sailboat cruise, and principal for the day.
Next up we all enjoyed a Chappell Roan reboot with our very own music video: Blue Dolphin Club. Thanks to our studio singers, Jada Hollingsworth, Benji Beckhelm, Aiyla Hughes, Addie Turner Winn, Edie Bendezu, Teresa (Tess) Jordan; our special guests Jake Hodgeson, Mr. K, and our entire DHH classroom; our director David Klein (numero dos); and all the families and teachers who participated by sending in clips.
First off, wow, what a crowd. More than 200 folks from our Lafayette community packed the Pomeroy Center. We had grandparents and alumni and even a few incoming families for 25/26. We actually had to add extra tables and scramble for more tablecloths last minute (Praise be to Cost Plus World Market). But seeing every chair filled, and so many of them with our beloved teachers, was our number one indicator that the night was already off to a good start.
During the pre-dinner hour, guests sipped welcome bubbles, pulled mystery bottles of (really good) wine from the Wine Pull organized by Serene Wetzel, stocked up on raffle tickets from Sarah Katz, Kristen Coleman and Rowena Tong and flocked to the photo booth. A playlist curated by David Klein (numero uno) set the vibe. The costumes were on point: We had jellyfish, pirates, mermaids, dolphins (obvi) and even a Jimmy Buffet super fan. Check out all the photo booth pics right here!
Everyone filled their plates from the stocked taco bar from Celia's By The Beach, salad from The Art Bistro, and spring rolls from Tsing Tao, then took their seats just in time for the first surprise performance. The West Coast Lion Dance Troupe shook the room with their drums and high-energy lion dance, and featured Lafayette's very own Isaiah lie (3rd grade) and ended with a shower of shredded lettuce to bring all the good fortune our way. We then kicked off the live auction, which was as spirited as an off-track betting parlor. Winners walked with prizes including a private screening party at the Balboa, a trio of wine country weekend getaways, a magical sunset sailboat cruise, and principal for the day.
Next up we all enjoyed a Chappell Roan reboot with our very own music video: Blue Dolphin Club. Thanks to our studio singers, Jada Hollingsworth, Benji Beckhelm, Aiyla Hughes, Addie Turner Winn, Edie Bendezu, Teresa (Tess) Jordan; our special guests Jake Hodgeson, Mr. K, and our entire DHH classroom; our director David Klein (numero dos); and all the families and teachers who participated by sending in clips.
Haven't seen it yet?? Watch it here.
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We closed out the programing portion of the night with the Fund-a-Need paddle raise, where folks simply raised their paddle to pledge various amounts to fund our STEAM, ELD and 4/5th support programs for next year, plus $8,000 for our Sister School, Sanchez Elementary, for their Health Access counseling program. While the final number — $170,000 and counting — tells part of the story, the real jackpot for me was witnessing the spirit of Lafayette move people in the moment, not only to give, but to scream and holler and cheer on everyone who did.
Sarah Katz ran the auction and raffle, and her incredible team staked out the city to wrangle up all the wonderful raffle and count-me-in prizes—and they will be back out on the yard next week getting goodies in people's hands. Thanks to Julia Johnston, Anna Turner and Kristen Colman. Patrica Wada and Justin Haywald stepped in and made everything show up online, got the word out and made sure the systems were all set up for smooth bidding.
And that fund-a-need paddle raise? Once again, Mike Winn took the lead on making it rain. He put together a behind-the-scenes crew to ensure success: Claire Mooney, Mary Tran, and Will Colman.
Whew! I think that's it! What a night, and what a way to close out the year.
Did you get any good pictures? Drop em here.
Thank you all SO very much!!
We closed out the programing portion of the night with the Fund-a-Need paddle raise, where folks simply raised their paddle to pledge various amounts to fund our STEAM, ELD and 4/5th support programs for next year, plus $8,000 for our Sister School, Sanchez Elementary, for their Health Access counseling program. While the final number — $170,000 and counting — tells part of the story, the real jackpot for me was witnessing the spirit of Lafayette move people in the moment, not only to give, but to scream and holler and cheer on everyone who did.
The hard work of the evening was wrapped with a passionate performance by drag queen Beatrix Lahaine. And we all treated ourselves to a Night Cookie from Butterlove Bakeshop. And maybe a few more glasses of wine.
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Credit for pulling together the perfect party goes to the women behind the curtain (and jumping in behind the bar, and everywhere and anywhere else they were needed) Meghan Butler and Shannon Hughes. They led the event team and kept us all calm and on track. Their crew of magic makers included: Katrina McHugh, Eryn Smith, Sean Spillane, Anna Turner, Jeremy Hughes, David Klein (all of them), Serene Wetzel, Sam Stone, Christina Morairty, Decima Brausa, Lilia Sánchez Montesinos, Tory Francisco, Danny Montoya, Kim Turner and Geoff Comfort. Extra special thanks to "Fairy Godmother" Cristina Manzanares who had the ability to make anything we needed magically appear in an instant, including extra hands for hauling 1000 wine glasses in from the parking lot. Meagan Goodfriend ad Celia Scully worked with their classes to hand paint all the pretty terracotta pot centerpieces.
Credit for pulling together the perfect party goes to the women behind the curtain (and jumping in behind the bar, and everywhere and anywhere else they were needed) Meghan Butler and Shannon Hughes. They led the event team and kept us all calm and on track. Their crew of magic makers included: Katrina McHugh, Eryn Smith, Sean Spillane, Anna Turner, Jeremy Hughes, David Klein (all of them), Serene Wetzel, Sam Stone, Christina Morairty, Decima Brausa, Lilia Sánchez Montesinos, Tory Francisco, Danny Montoya, Kim Turner and Geoff Comfort. Extra special thanks to "Fairy Godmother" Cristina Manzanares who had the ability to make anything we needed magically appear in an instant, including extra hands for hauling 1000 wine glasses in from the parking lot. Meagan Goodfriend ad Celia Scully worked with their classes to hand paint all the pretty terracotta pot centerpieces.
Sarah Katz ran the auction and raffle, and her incredible team staked out the city to wrangle up all the wonderful raffle and count-me-in prizes—and they will be back out on the yard next week getting goodies in people's hands. Thanks to Julia Johnston, Anna Turner and Kristen Colman. Patrica Wada and Justin Haywald stepped in and made everything show up online, got the word out and made sure the systems were all set up for smooth bidding.
And that fund-a-need paddle raise? Once again, Mike Winn took the lead on making it rain. He put together a behind-the-scenes crew to ensure success: Claire Mooney, Mary Tran, and Will Colman.
Whew! I think that's it! What a night, and what a way to close out the year.
Did you get any good pictures? Drop em here.
Thank you all SO very much!!
Your 2025 Lafayette Gala Committee,
Meghan Butler
Shannon Hughes
Sarah Katz
Mike Winn
Erin Feher Montoya