Montecito Union School’s Spring Soirée

It was a beautiful afternoon and evening on May 4th, as Montecito Union School held its annual fundraiser at Les Belles Fontaines. Three hundred parents, teachers, staff, and members of the community came together for a night under the stars. 

Special guests included members of the Montecito Fire Department, as well as First District Supervisor Das Williams and his daughter, Ya’ash. Emcees for the evening were KEYT’s sportscaster, Mike Klan, and reporter Alys Martinez.

Bucket Brigade leader, Abe Powell, helped with the Paddle Raise, as this is his family’s last year at MUS; his son, Leo, will graduate in June. Abe and his wife, Jessica, won a trip to Norway during the raffle. 

During cocktail hour, guests dined on empanadas, chips and guacamole, and chicken skewers and enjoyed drinks including the “Mustang Mule” (the MUS mascot) and the Santa Rosa Margarita (named for the street where the event was held). Dinner was served by Montecito’s Los Arroyos and included salad, fresh homemade tortillas, chicken, steak, and grilled veggies. Late night lavender lattes and espressos were served by Welcome Coffee Cart. 

Live auction items included a seven-day trip to Fiji at the Jean-Michel Cousteau resort and two business class airplane tickets to get there. Also part of the auction: a Napa wine tasting getaway, three nights in Bora Bora, and – for the kids – a chance to be “Principal for the Day.”

Final numbers are still being tallied, and all the money raised will support enrichment programs, terrace renovations, a new playground, and green initiatives at Montecito Union. 

The committee members who made it a successful event include co-chairs Brianna Hammond and Dalina Klan, Cynthia Abulafia, Trish Davis, Carolyn Fitzgerald, Annie Gray, Renee Hazelton, Heather Kear, Amanda Lee, Debbie Popovich, Lindsay Ranii, Kelly Shiffman, Jennifer Stein, Jaclyn Steinmann, Marisa Tyler,and Alicia Williams.