The Montecito Union School Foundation Annual Gala was held elegantly at the Rosewood Miramar Beach on Friday, May 30. This year hit a record high of over 262 guests, noting women in their flowing ball gowns and floral hair adornments to match the gala theme, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” The theme pays tribute to last year’s gala that funded the MUS Library. Another first for this year – every MUS teacher was sponsored to attend.
Speaking of MUS teachers, retiring this year are music teacher Ron Zecher who oversaw and advanced MUS’s violin program and school orchestra, and PE teacher Linda Trigueiro. When I asked Zecher about retiring, he had a huge smile on his face saying, “It’s time, I’ve been there over 30 years and loved it.” Also changing gears is Tara Fergusson who has served as President of the MUSF for five years, passing the baton to Kendle Evans.
First time co-chairing the event were MUSF board members Casey Kallenbach and Mally Chakola. Both are parents of students at MUS and have their own businesses. Chakola also serves on the Music Academy board. Their event committee members were Greta Bachhuber, Kendle Evans, Taylor Kwok, Blaine May, Joy Perry, Saba Riley, and Naomi Yamada. They also wished to recognize Ben Hyatt for his IT skills for the online auction. Hyatt is the husband of Houghton Hyatt, the executive director of the Montecito Association.
The event committee’s attention to the details made for a delightful evening and successful fundraiser. Guests were treated to champagne, open bar with signature cocktails (think Lavender infused), fresh roses for centerpieces, five-star dinner, and music by DJ Gavin Roy. The after party featured dancing to DJ Samantha Ronson.
I arrived early to take the key photographs and briefly chat with Kallenbach and Chakola. In answer to the question ‘what is different for this year?’ Chakola said, “Casey and I have been together and worked strategically to celebrate the achievement of MUSF for the past year. We are celebrating the redevelopment of our Innovation Lab and Library. They are completely redone and are amazing, wonderful, and welcoming spaces for our children. And then we are also raising money this year for a Fitness and Wellness Project which will redo the track at MUS and build Parkour play structures on the upper terraces. It is open to the public, especially on the weekends and evenings. This is really an amazing and enriching program, not just for our students but the community as a whole. For that we need to raise $200,000 this evening.”
I also met with MUS Superintendent Anthony Ranii and his wife Lindsay. We talked about what is new at MUS, Ranii, “We will have the new Fitness Center – its track and gear – ready by end of this summer 2025 to start the school year. MUS will share the fitness area with the local community for free. We also achieved our goal of hiring four new teachers this year to accommodate the increase in student population both from TK enrollment and new families who arrived after the Palisades fires. Our new library needs new books and we are open for donations for that online.” Ranii shared that due to his eldest son graduating college this year, he will miss the 2025 graduation. Principal Nick Bruski will be holding that helm with ease.
The auctioneer was Tim Morton-Smith,an MUS parent of four students. His unique skills raised approximately $102,000 for the Live Auction and $142,500 at the Paddle Raise, well over the needed $200,000 funding goal. Additional funds are incoming from ticket sales and the Silent Auction. Congrats!
Corporate sponsors included Rosewood Miramar Beach; Violet; Carlito’s; Daniel Allen Construction Inc.; Litchfield Builders; Emily Kellenberger and Associates; Fine Properties and Estates; Becker Studios; Pure Aquatic Solutions; LaBarge Estate Vineyard and Winery; Dinner wines by Beckman Vineyards.
Family Sponsors included IRIS; Brewster Morfit Family; Evans Family; Reitman Sternberg Family; Guerin Family; DAHLIA; Zoe and Marco Perego; PRIMROSE; Loughlin Family; McLeod Murray Family; Perry Family; Sikors Family; Stad Family; and the Vik Family.
411: www.musfoundation.com
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