Special Events

 

 

Thanks to the incredible generosity of our D-E community members, the D-E Bulldog Bash at the Edison Ballroom on Saturday, April 30th was an incredible success! This was our first in-person event since 2020 and we were all grateful to spend the night celebrating and supporting a critical D-E initiative: Financial Aid. Of our 407 guests, we were thrilled to have ten newly accepted families and twelve alumni join us that night. We raised $510,000 for Financial Aid which is a new record in the history of this event.

A special “thank you” to our amazing volunteer Co-Chairs, Jennifer Goodman (P’20, ‘22, ‘25) and Tammy Mager (P’22, ‘24), for their leadership and guidance throughout the entire event planning process. Their inspiration, dedication, attention to detail and great company made doing great work for our community even that much more fun! To our entire Bulldog Bash Committee who worked continuously on sponsorships, auction items, décor and displays, you made the evening shine!   Lastly, to our sponsors and donors, who firmly believe in our cause to support Financial Aid, our mission to “make it better” is only made possible thanks to your generosity! Thank you!  

All of our guests were well-entertained throughout the night thanks to the celebrated improvisational performance of Freestyle Love Supreme which kept the audience tapping, rapping and laughing.  Upon check-in each guest was asked to think of one word and write it down on a notecard.  Our performers then randomly selected words submitted that evening and created a rap to the word promptly right there on the spot! And of course, throughout the evening  DJ Shant kept the tunes spinning and the dance floor rockin’ as our MC Trevor Shaw kept the show on track!

The highlight of the evening was a heartfelt and inspiring speech by graduating parent, Jeffrey Seller (P ’21,’22) who talked about the role of luck in our success and the meaningful benefits of passing luck along via financial aid contributions.  He led the way to the Reverse Auction with the assistance of our funny and talented Auctioneer, Roseann Todd (P’19, ’23). A record $232,000 was raised via Reverse Auction that night thanks to their outstanding work.

Our night ended sweetly with take home treats provided to every guest from The Treat House (Jennifer and Chris Russell). All around it was a very successful evening and we are thrilled with the contribution to Financial Aid!  Thanks to everyone who attended, donated, sponsored, bid, bought a raffle ticket and supported our cause!

Looking forward to seeing everyone in 2023.  We were sold out this year, so please save the date for next year – Saturday, April 29, 2023!

 

 

On Thursday, April 29, more than 225 families from the D-E community came together virtually to participate in a Kentucky Derby-themed event raising significant funds for Financial Aid.  Even though pandemic restrictions are being lifted, many felt it was still safer to conduct our annual fundraiser virtually but find ways to make it fun and interactive. 

The night opened with a private mixology session with Nemo (a virtual bartender) guiding our sponsors on how make a traditional Derby-style mint julep cocktail.  Each sponsor received a customized wooden box filled with all things Derby-related and D-E branded.  All the ingredients for making the perfect mint julep cocktail were included (even a fresh mint plant). Participants received a package containing two D-E branded mint julep cups, a recipe card and horseshoe chocolates.  As we approached the starting gate to our event, our hosts and guest speakers (both current D-E parents) Tom Rinaldi (Emmy winning Fox Sports Reporter) and Roseann Todd (Auctioneer) greeted the guests and set the tone for the evening.  Even Head of School Dr. Rodney De Jarnett and his wife Annette were part of the ‘virtual’ party paddock, dressed in-theme with mint juleps in hand!

Heartwarming testimonials were presented by Noah Goldmann ’17, Julia Schneider ’08 and Nasreen Watson P ‘19, each detailing the importance of and personal impact from their receiving support from D-E financial aid.  To add to the excitement of the evening, all were invited to compete in a virtual horseracing experience. Participants were given play money for the races, but each had the ability to enhance their horse by making a small donation directly for the D-E Financial Aid program. The added donation allowed horses to have extra training or the ability to sabotage other horses which would increase your chances of winning.  With the Zoom unmuted for the races, it was especially fun to hear families cheering for their horse!

Throughout the night our hosts reminded all to visit our event website and explore the wonderful auction items.  Thanks to many alumni, we had incredible items to offer such a vacation home in Colorado, a year of fresh flowers delivered to your door each month, restaurant gift cards and keeping right in theme, attend a special farm tour and learn about horsemanship.  Even though we were unable to be together in person, it was so nice to see so many faces of those we miss!

With the help of our wonderful Event Co-Chairs (Fabe Gallo and Maral Jebejian), Production Specialist (Saba Nwankpah), Assistant Director of Advancement (Beverley Mac Keen) and the entire Bulldog Bash Committee, the evening was like no other in the history of D-E. So far, we have raised $280,000+ which will benefit Financial Aid.