Alverno High School Enjoys “An Arabian Night”

Alverno celebrates fifteenth annual gala to raise funds for school’s “Adopt-A-Pillar Campaign” 

More than 300 members of the Alverno community recently gathered at the Pasadena Hilton to celebrate Alverno High School’s Annual Gala. The theme for this year’s event was “An Arabian Night” and guests were treated to an authentic Arabian experience.

The evening began with a Silent Auction that included more than 320 items donated by Alverno families and local businesses including: Burger Continental, Green Street, In-N-Out Burger, Krikorian Pacific Theatres, Matt Denny’s Ale House and Restaurant, Pasadena Playhouse, and many others. National companies and organizations that made donations included Applebee’s, Dooney & Bourke, Estee Lauder, Fisher Price, OPI and the New York Yankees.

During dinner, guests enjoyed a special showcase of belly dancers from Three Graces. A Live Auction was conducted following dinner that included getaways to San Francisco, New York, Hawaii, and Paso Robles. Additionally, Alverno parents had the opportunity to bid on some highly coveted Alverno prizes for their daughters including special parking, front row tickets to graduation, and the opportunity to be Dean of Students for a day.

A very special part of the Live Auction included the opportunity to purchase VIP and Ambassador bags, which will provide funds for two important projects: new tables for the art room and the repaving of the Michillinda Avenue parking lot. Overall funds from the Gala will benefit Alverno’s “Adopt-a-Pillar” campaign, which will support the installation of pillars and wrought iron fencing along the Michillinda Avenue side of campus in the coming months. This campaign is the first step towards the completion of Alverno’s Master Plan.

“The Annual Gala is always such a feel-good event for our entire school community! Our alumnae and past parents return to Alverno, along with our current parents, Board Members, and faculty and staff to provide much-needed support to our school and most importantly, our students,” said Wendy-Finch-Burk, Director of Development and Alumnae Relations at Alverno. “Past funds raised from the Annual Gala have allowed Alverno to purchase air conditioning units for all classrooms, new desks for the entire school, and two 15-passenger vans for school transportation. We look forward to beginning the first phase of our Master Plan thanks to the generosity of donors at ‘An Arabian Night.’”

“Alverno has a tremendous community of parents, alumnae, Board Members, and faculty and staff who provide unwavering support to our school and current students,” said Ann Gillick, Head of School. “In addition to helping to make campus improvements, purchase art tables, and begin work on our Master Plan, funds raised at “An Arabian Night” will help Alverno to continue our mission of empowering each young woman to be exactly the person she wants to be.”

About Alverno High School

Alverno High School is a Catholic, private, college preparatory school for young women dedicated to preparing them to function in a society as informed, knowledgeable persons, who have the requisite skills to make and implement mature decisions about complex problems. Enlivened by the spirit of its Immaculate Heart Community sponsors, and mindful of the Franciscan roots of its founders, Alverno's program—academic, spiritual, aesthetic, social, and physical—is shaped by the staff, trustees, and students in light of the world for which the students are being educated. Alverno’s mission is to empower each young woman to be exactly the person she wants to be and since 1960, Alverno has empowered more than 4,100 women to meet that goal. For more information about Alverno High School, please call 626-355-3463 or visit www.alverno-hs.org.