Montessori Center School Diamond Gala

It was all diamonds and gold, Jimmy Choos and gowns, black tie and diamond studs arriving at the amazing Montessori Center School Diamond Gala fundraiser at the Rosewood Miramar Beach on Friday, February 28. From Porsches to limos, the valet was full as over 250 guests arrived to celebrate 60 years of their favorite school. Yet through all the glam, the warmth between parents and teachers, like one big family, was all around.

Commencing with a cocktail hour on the patio by the Grand Ballroom, guests took photographs on the Step & Repeat by Cherish Photography, lauded our town’s fave Spanish Guitarist, Chris Fossek, and bid on a full range of Silent Auction items that were primarily focused on health, wellness and, yes of course, wine and vacations!

The pre-formal dinner show were the Elevated Dreams aerialist performances that dazzled the guests with their grace, and rhinestone costumes, and a small caveat – the owner attended MCS. 

Head of School, Vanessa Jackson, who is a MCS alumni and parent, provided the welcome and opening remarks saying, “I attended MCS, and I am an MCS parent. My dad is here tonight, and my mom passed away last year. One of the auction items is a 1986 t-shirt from my mom who chaired the first MCS fundraiser.” She then thanked the parents, her faculty and staff, and the top sponsors, donors, and underwriters – UltraAnalog Corporation, the Do Family, the McCausland Family, Jackson Medical Group Inc, the Fisher Family, the MacLeod Family, American Riviera Bank, Commmunity West Bank, Lucky’s Montecito, the San Ysidro Ranch, the Coral Casino Beach and Cabana Club, Caruso’s Restaurant, Bettina Pizzeria, StretchLab Montecito, the Optimist Montecito, and many more listed on two pages of the program!

Jackson introduced the tri-chairs, Kristin Khuri, Megi Haydon,and Kacy Cristofani.They thanked the parents and grandparents, teachers, Jackson and staff, saying, “You are the heart of our community at MCS.”

While dinner was served, auctioneer – MCS parent of four and former Board member – Tim Morton-Smith began the daunting job of auctioning 18 items from vacations to student classroom artworks, by saying, “Bear with me, they really wanted Andrew Firestone!” Top auction bids were a parking space at the school to three lucky parents at $20,000 each, and the handmade engraved-mirrored artwork by the first-year of the MCS Spanish American class students at $10,000. Next was a short video of the students sharing about the school and teachers, followed by The Ask. With his skills and patience, Morton-Smith raised over $197,050. The MCS team will tally that in with the Silent Auction, the Heads & Tails game, ticketing, and after party tickets. From there with lots of cheers, the guests mingled and enjoyed dessert, as went to the After Party with dancing by DJ STUDIO.

Shout outs to the Auction Committee of Amy French, Ariana Arcenas-Utley, Caitlin Gude, Carly Daulton, Jenny Roberts, Karina Ballantyne, Katie Gerpheide, Kim Yeoman, Laura Gransberry, Lisa Lavora-De Beule, Pamela Powers, and Reagan Ullman; the schools newest Director of Community Engagement, Megan Stevens, who brings the latest tech savvy and socials to the team; and Forage Floral who donated the table floral arrangements – owned by the Redman Family with an aunt of a
MCS student.  

411: www.mcssb.org